David's+Final

“Why you white men have so much cargo, and we New Guineans have so little?” This is the question that Yali posed to one Jared Diamond, a question that made him think rather hard. ([|Guns, Germs, and Steel documentary, first eight minutes])

Exactly what is it that led to us having so much “cargo,” or advanced goods? Though all people are essentially exactly the same, "white men" indeed tend to have great amounts of “cargo” in the present day. Why? Because of geographical luck.

It all began with crops in the Fertile Crescent. The people here first began agriculture, and it spread outward to Eurasia. Livestock was found in various areas as well, but like crops, most of the useful animals came from the Fertile Crescent. With its close proximity to the Fertile Crescent and good geography, Europe mastered agriculture faster than many places, and with extra time on their hands thanks to the convenience of farming, they could develop the technology of guns, swords, and several other things. ([|Agriculture])

When they entered North America, they had the huge edge of not only advanced weaponry, but also germs acquired from their animals, diseases that could decimate populations. The natives stood no chance. ([|Germs])

With such abilities of guns, germs, and steel granted by agriculture gained by luck, the “white men,” or Europeans became highly successful and were able to develop all their cargo, while those too far away or with an unfavorable climate are too busy scratching out a living with their limited agriculture.

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