We're uncomfortable about considering history as a science. It's classified as a social science, which is considered not quite scientific. Jared Diamond classifyconsiderhistory Change image and share on social
The main thing that gives me hope is the media. We have radio, TV, magazines, and books, so we have the possibility of learning from societies that are remote from us, like Somalia. We turn on the TV and see what blew up in Iraq or we see conditions in Afghanistan. Jared Diamond afghanistanblowbook share on social
Infectious diseases introduced with Europeans, like smallpox and measles, spread from one Indian tribe to another, far in advance of Europeans themselves, and killed an estimated 95% of the New World's Indian population. Jared Diamond advancediseaseestimate share on social
I'd rather spend my leisure time doing what some people call my work and I call my fun. Jared Diamond callfunleisure Change image and share on social
Tasmanian history is a study of human isolation unprecedented except in science fiction - namely, complete isolation from other humans for 10,000 years. Jared Diamond 000completefiction Change image and share on social
The rate of human invention is faster, and the rate of cultural loss is slower, in areas occupied by many competing societies with many individuals and in contact with societies elsewhere. Jared Diamond areacompetecontact Change image and share on social
The southward advance of native African farmers with Central African crops halted in Natal, beyond which Central African crops couldn't grow - with enormous consequences for the recent history of South Africa. Jared Diamond advanceafricaafrican share on social
Starbucks goes to a great effort, and pays twice as much for its coffee as its competitors do, and is very careful to help coffee producers in developing countries grow coffee without pesticides and in ways that preserve forest structure. Jared Diamond carefulcoffeecompetitor share on social
Native Americans had only stone and wooden weapons and no animals that could be ridden. Those military advantages repeatedly enabled troops of a few dozen mounted Spaniards to defeat Indian armies numbering in the thousands. Jared Diamond advantageamericananimal share on social
Although native Africans domesticated some plants in the Sahel and in Ethiopia and in tropical West Africa, they acquired valuable domestic animals only later, from the north. Jared Diamond acquireafricaafrican Change image and share on social
