When discussing the agricultural revolution, it is important to consider the factors that have stemmed from the initial decision to practice agriculture. While it has provided us with many great things and has shaped our current lifestyles, it has also been the cause of some very detrimental effects to both the human race and the planet which it inhibits. Humans and the Earth have suffered from this decision which has hurt them in more ways than one. Considering the detrimental effects listed previously, I agree with Jared Diamond, who stated that the switch to agriculture was the worst decision in human history. It was the most significant change to occur in our history because, to this day, it remains the basis of society, but I don't think it was the right choice. When making this choice, humans began playing with and manipulating nature. When agriculture began, so did the exploiting of nature that humans practice to this day. Up until then, plants and animals existed naturally. Even humans did, as they had relatively animal-like behaviour back then. The lifestyle change itself was huge! I think this choice was the beginning of humans messing up the natural order of things, because ever since, the earth has been subject to the experiments of human beings. It wasn't only destructive to the environment, but destructive to humans as well. Besides the biological aspects, hierarchy also stemmed from the choice to switch to agriculture. Although it has been beneficial to some societies, hierarchy has also played a major factor in the corruptness of some, including many today. Considering all of the bad things in our world today, I really doubt they would have occurred without the initial switch.
Even though I think it was the worst decision mankind has ever made, I get it. I understand why they made that decision. Innovation is the application of new solutions that meet new requirements or inarticulate needs. By definition, the hunters and gatherers were innovating when they decided to make this switch to a better lifestyle. And at the time, it sure seemed like it! Much of human history (especially modern day) has revolved around innovations to make life easier. Why do we have computers and the internet? To make our lives easier. Why do you carry a mini computer in your pocket? To make your life easier. Why are you reading this off of a screen right now? Because the handy, dandy keyboard on my laptop saves me the painstaking work of writing each letter out by hand on paper, thus making my life easier. Innovations are often a result of the need to reduce work; everyone wants an easier way to do things. And that makes sense! The hunters and gatherers were humans too, so I understand their need to make life easier. They really did believe their choice was the best, and it really was for them. But, in the words of John Green, "we can't know better until knowing better is useless." Humankind has made many good decisions over the years, but also countless bad ones. Hunters and gatherers made the decision that was best for them, but they, much like any of us, did not know the string of consequences that would result from their initial choice, and now the choice has been made. We could easily complain the consequences that have resulted from this choice (heck, I've done a pretty good job already), but I think it's important to consider that it was the best choice for them, and the best choice for one isn't always the best choice for all. We all make mistakes; hunters and gatherers just happened to make one that defined the rest of mankind.
Even though I think it was the worst decision mankind has ever made, I get it. I understand why they made that decision. Innovation is the application of new solutions that meet new requirements or inarticulate needs. By definition, the hunters and gatherers were innovating when they decided to make this switch to a better lifestyle. And at the time, it sure seemed like it! Much of human history (especially modern day) has revolved around innovations to make life easier. Why do we have computers and the internet? To make our lives easier. Why do you carry a mini computer in your pocket? To make your life easier. Why are you reading this off of a screen right now? Because the handy, dandy keyboard on my laptop saves me the painstaking work of writing each letter out by hand on paper, thus making my life easier. Innovations are often a result of the need to reduce work; everyone wants an easier way to do things. And that makes sense! The hunters and gatherers were humans too, so I understand their need to make life easier. They really did believe their choice was the best, and it really was for them. But, in the words of John Green, "we can't know better until knowing better is useless." Humankind has made many good decisions over the years, but also countless bad ones. Hunters and gatherers made the decision that was best for them, but they, much like any of us, did not know the string of consequences that would result from their initial choice, and now the choice has been made. We could easily complain the consequences that have resulted from this choice (heck, I've done a pretty good job already), but I think it's important to consider that it was the best choice for them, and the best choice for one isn't always the best choice for all. We all make mistakes; hunters and gatherers just happened to make one that defined the rest of mankind.