history #4

In the readings, Christian juxtaposes the ideas of power over nature with power over people. I think this is interesting. How does the increasing ability of human beings to exercise power over the natural world shape, influence, or relate to power-relations in human societies? Can we make connections between what Christian and Diamond are talking about in the readings? Where can we go with this idea of “power”? Can we relate it to issues of social complexity as we begin to see the emergence of “civilization”?

Resources:

 Christian, Maps of Time, Ch. 8

 Diamond, Guns, Germs, and Steel, Ch. 4-10 

http://www.ahshistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/GUNS-GERMS-AND-STEEL.pdf