,AVOID+ ! ,BLAME -- ,:AT A ,FOCUS ON ,GRA9 ,OBSCURES 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,WILLIAM ,GILLIS 

,TEXT 3 

,JAMES ,C4 ,SCOTT'S LATE/ BOOK1 ,AGA9/ ! ,GRA93 ,A ,DEEP ,HI/ORY ( ! ,E>LIE/ ,/ATES1 IS SURE TO BECOME A CLASSIC & A BRICK 9 ! WALL ( CORE AN>*I/ !ORY4 ,IT COV]S SOME:AT DIFF]5T BUT COMPLEM5T>Y GR\ND TO ,PET] ,GELD]LOO'S ,WOR%IP+ ,P[]3 ,AN ,AN>*I/ ,HI/ORY ,( ,E>LY ,/ATE ,=MATION4 ,I HAVE SOME SIGNIFICANT CRITIQUES ( ! N>RATIVES IT PU%ES1 P>TICUL>LY >\ND ! *>ACT] & D[NFALL ( E>LY /ATELESS S$5T>Y AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES1 BUT ON ! :OLE ,I LOV$ ?IS BOOK4 

,SCOTT IS ADMIRABLY NUANC$ & ATT5TIVE TO MORE COMPLEX CONTEMPOR>Y DISCOV]IES & 9SI<TS4 ,?IS IS NOT A BOOK PU%+ ! SIMPLI/IC PRIMITIVI/ L9E4 ,IT NOTES 9 DETAIL ! K9D ( EXCEPTIONS ?AT ,I'VE BE5 PO9T+ \T = OV] A DECADE1 ! COMPLEXITY & DIV]SITY ( ! HI/ORICAL RECORD1 AS WELL AS ! M>K$ NON-9EVITABILITY ( IT4 ,IF ,GELD]LOOS DOCUM5TS SOCIOCULTURAL PA?WAYS = /ATE =MATION1 ATTACK+ M>XI/ & PRIMITIVI/ N>RATIVES1 ,SCOTT C>RIES A SIMIL> NUANCE TO DETAIL+ ! ECOLOGICAL & TE*NOLOGICAL CONTEXT4 ,C]TA9 5VIRONM5TS & TE*NOLOGICAL =MS MADE /ATES POSSIBLE1 BUT C]TA9LY NOT OBLIGATORY4 7,:E!R ONE READS POSSIBILITY AS PROBABILITY DEP5DS ON :]E ONE /&S ON ! 9DEP5D5T P[] ( CULTURE474 

,SCOTT HAS BECOME SOME?+ ( A PATRON SA9T AMONG LEFT M>KET AN>*I/S & HE IS CONSI/5TLY HONE/ AB\T ! DEP? ( TRADE ?R\<\T HUMAN HI/ORY & SOCIAL =MS4 ,I HATE BEAT+ ?IS DEAD HORSE BUT A NEV] 5D+ /REAM ( FRE%-FAC$ COMMUNI/S CONT9UE ASS]T+ TO ME ?AT /ATES CREAT$ ! V]Y PREMISE ( M>KETS4 ,! IDEA IS LAU<ABLE & CLE>LY WRONG 9 EV]Y NOOK & CRANNY ( HUMAN HI/ORY4 ,JU/ BECAUSE TRADE (T5 TOOK ! =M ( 9=MAL CR$IT )9 TRIBES1 DOESN'T MEAN !IR SOCIETIES W]5'T BROADLY RIV5 ) TRADE4 ,HUNT]-GA!R]S HAD ELABORATE & F>-REA*+ TRADE NETWORKS4 ,/ATELESS AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES DID AS WELL4 ,SCOTT1 BE+ 9FAM\SLY ATT5TIVE TO ILLEGIBILITY1 RECOGNIZES M>KETS & M]*ANTS AS DEEPLY ANTIPA!TIC TO /ATE P[]1 BO? :5 )\T & )94 

0,ONE REASON = ! (FICIAL DI/RU/ & /IGMATIZATION ( ! M]*ANT CLASS 9 ,*9A WAS ! SIMPLE FACT ?AT ITS WEAL?1 UNLIKE ?AT ( ! RICE PLANT]1 WAS ILLEGIBLE1 CONCEALABLE1 & FUGITIVE4 ,ONE MI<T TAX A M>KET.<PLACE.>1 OR COLLECT TOLLS ON A ROAD OR RIV] JUNCTION :]E GOODS & TRANSACTIONS W]E MORE TRANSP>5T1 BUT TAX+ M]*ANTS WAS A TAX COLLECTOR'S NI<TM>E40 

,RESPOND+ TO MY REVIEW ( ,WOR%IP+ ,P[]1 ,PET] ,GELD]LOOS AGRE$ ?AT M>KETS1 EV5 V]Y MATURE ONES1 9 NO WAY OBLIGE ! CREATION ( A /ATE4 ,HIS QUIBBLE WAS ?AT !Y NEV]!LESS PROVIDE AN EXPLOITABLE PRECONDITION = ! EXI/5CE ( /ATES4 ,WELL LET US REMEMB] ?AT ! ADOPTION & USE ( FIRE IS PROBABLY SOME?+ ( A PRECONDITION ( /ATES TOO4 ,A :OLE N>RATIVE C\LD BE SPUN AB\T H[ TRIBES ?AT AVOID US+ FIRE TO 9/EAD EAT RAW MEAT >E LESS LIKELY TO =M ANY?+ LIKE /ATES )\T ! CALORIC SURPLUSES ?AT FIRE UNLOCKS4 ,ONE C\LD EV5 GO ON AB\T H[ ! ABS5CE ( CAMPFIRES R5D]S A POPULACE MORE ILLEGIBLE & ( C\RSE DETAIL ALL ! WAYS FIRE IS UTILIZ$ BY /ATE W>F>E4 ,?IS DOESN'T MEAN FIRE IS FUCK+ BAD OR ?AT WE %\LD \TLAW IT TO BETT] AVOID /ATISM4 ,I'LL SAY NO MORE ON ! MATT] H]E4 

,SCOTT'S FOCUS 9 T]MS ( 0NECESS>Y PRECONDITIONS0 IS MORE SPECIFIC3 S$5T>Y GRA9 AGRICULTURE4 ,& TO HIS CR$IT HE IS V]Y CLE> ?AT /ATES W]E ONLY A 0SUBSPECIES0 ( S$5T>Y GRA9 SOCIETIES4 ,MANY AVOID$ ! /ATE =M4 

,HE IS ALSO CLE> ?AT /ATES W]E 9CON/ANT & UN/ABLE1 BUT ALSO ?AT 0COLLAPSE0 ( A REGIME USUALLY LOOK$ MORE LIKE ! DEC5TRALIZATION ( P[] RA!R ?AN SOME K9D ( CATA/ROPHIC R$UCTION 9 POPULATION OR CULTURAL_/ECONOMIC COMPLEXITY4 ,! CULTURE ( CIVILIZATION -- PRESUMABLY BO? ITS POSITIVES & NEGATIVES -- (T5 REMA9$ EV5 AS ! ABUSIVE C5TRALIZATION ( ! /ATE ITSELF WAS DEMOLI%$4 

,& ,SCOTT IS QUITE GOOD1 LIKE 9CREAS+LY MANY O!R WRIT]S1 AT PO9T+ \T JU/ H[ BIAS$ ! HI/ORICAL RECORD IS T[>DS /ATE SOCIETIES RA!R ?AN ! SOPHI/ICAT$ /ATELESS SOCIETIES ?AT SEEM+LY N[ CROP UP EV]Y:]E 9 ! HI/ORICAL RECORD4 ,! ABS5CE ( C5TRALIZ$ >*AEOLOGICAL SITES ) TITANIC MONUM5TS C]TA9LY DOESN'T MEAN ! ABS5CE ( HEAL?Y /ATELESS CIVILIZATIONS4 

,?IS IS A PR(\ND BIAS TO \R CURR5T HI/ORICAL RECORDS ?AT ,GELD]LOOS & MYSELF HAVE BO? BE5 SCREAM+ AB\T4 ,IF ! P]PETUAL AN>*I/ CRY IS 0,WE ,>E ,/ILL ,H]E0 :AT DESP]ATELY NE$S EMPHASIZ+ IS ?AT 0,WE ,HAVE ,ALWAYS ,BE5 ,H]E40 

,SCOTT ALSO COV]S1 ALBEIT BRIEFLY1 ONE ( MY FAVORITE TOPICS3 ! C5TRALITY ( E>LY WRIT+ AS A /ATI/ TE*NOLOGY4 ,WRIT+ IS ONE ( ! MO/ P[]FUL COMPUTATIONAL AUGM5TS TO HUMAN COGNITION EV] DEVELOP$1 & WRITT5 RECORDS HAVE UNIMAG9ABLY POT5T IMPACTS UPON CULTURE & 9DIVIDUAL P]CEPTION BECAUSE !Y 9TRODUCE A RELATIVE 9FLEXIBILITY ( ACC\NTS4 ,E>LY WRIT+ WAS ALSO 9T5SELY 9ACCESSIBLE1 REQUIR+ MEMORIZATION & ?US AN ELITE SCRIBAL CLASS4 ,EV5TUALLY WE SEE SEMITIC SLAVES TAKE UP WRIT+ ?AT MIRRORS SPEE* & V]Y QUICKLY UNLEA% MILL5NIALI/ RELIGI\S UPRIS+S ( ! OPPRESS$4 ,BUT 9 ITS 9ITIAL 9TRODUCTION WRIT+ ALWAYS S]V$ TO /R5G!N /ATE P[]4 

,SCOTT AVOIDS MO/ ( !SE LATT] DETAILS 9 ,AGA9/ ! ,GRA91 BUT HE IS CORRECT ?AT E>LY WRIT+ WAS AN 9/RUM5T ( /ATE P[]1 A TE*NOLOGY H>D TO APPLY TO ANY O!R 5DS4 ,HE QUOTES ,C4,C4 ,LAMB]G-,K>LOVSKY3 

0.<,:Y DID.> EV]Y DI/9CTIVE COMMUNITY ON ! P]IPH]Y REJECT ! USE ( WRIT+ ) SO MANY >*AEOLOGICAL CULTURES EXPOS$ TO ! COMPLEXITY ( S\!RN ,MESOPOTAMIA8 444 ,P]HAPS1 F> FROM BE+ LESS 9TELLECTUALLY QUALIFI$ TO DEAL ) COMPLEXITY1 ! P]IPH]AL PEOPLES W]E SM>T 5\< TO AVOID ITS OPPRESSIVE COMM& /RUCTURES = AT LEA/ ANO!R #e YE>S1 :5 IT WAS IMPOS$ UPON !M BY MILIT>Y CONQUE/40 

,?OSE ( US :O SEE WRIT+ -- & 9DE$ O!R MEANS ( AUGM5T$ COGNITION -- AS LIB]ATORY DESP]ATELY NE$ TO PAY ATT5TION TO ! COMPLEX /RATEGIC L&SCAPE ?AT SU* AUGM5TATIONS EXI/ )94 ,A LIMIT$ & CLUNKY V]SION ( A TOOL CAN BE WORSE ?AN NO TOOL AT ALL4 ,I'VE >GU$ REPEAT$LY ?AT MANY ( ! D[NSIDES ( ! PRES5T 9T]NET >E A CONSEQU5CE ( JU/ H[ />KLY LIMIT$ \R 9=MATION TE*NOLOGIES /ILL >E4 ,! SAME CONSID]ATION %\LD BE TAK5 9 ! CASE ( AGRICULTURE4 

,SCOTT'S NUANCE TE>S AP>T C>TOONI% PRIMITIVI/ N>RATIVES FROM ! #gS ?AT 9DICT ! 5TIRETY ( AGRICULTURE4 ,ACCORD+ TO HIS >GUM5TS ONLY A SMALL SUBSET ( AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS OR PRACTICES W]E $IBLE TO /ATE =MS4 ,CALORIC D5SITY1 EASE ( MASS PRES]VATION1 LEGIBILITY ( CROP YIELDS TO TAX COLLECTORS1 SUBDIVISIBILITY1 & REGUL>ITY ( H>VE/S W]E ALL NE$$4 ,A /ATE C\LD NOT EFFICI5TLY COLLECT & /ORE SILOS ( BEANS1 BANANAS1 OR TUB]S4 

,IT'S A GOOD PO9T1 AL?\< AS SOMEONE ( ,IRI% REBEL & ,UKRA9IAN REBEL ANCE/RY ,I DON'T NE$ TO BE REM9D$ ?AT POTATOES >E A />* CROP ?AT FACILITATES RESI/ANCE TO TAXATION4 

,YET MANY PRIMITIVI/ N>RATIVES REMA9 9 ,AGA9/ ! ,GRA91 AT LEA/ 9 SOME OV]>*+ =M4 

,ONE EXAMPLE IS ! CREEP+ CONFLATION ( DOME/ICATION 9 ! =M ( MUTUALI/IC SYMBIOSIS ) DOME/ICATION 9 ! S5SE ( 5SLAVEM5T4 ,SCOTT TALKS ( 0DOME/ICATION0 9 V]Y NEGATIVE TONES -- NE$$ P]HAPS TO PU% BACK AGA9/ MORE MA9/REAM S*OOLBOOK N>RATIVES1 BUT /ILL A LIMIT$ C\NT]-N>RATIVE4 

,SCOTT DETAILS WAYS 9 :I* DOME/ICATION WAS A TWO-WAY /REET1 BUT HE CA/S BO? DIRECTIONS 9 T]MS ( DOM9ATION1 RA!R ?AN ! OBVI\S MUTUALITY4 ,HE TALKS AB\T H[ DOME/ICATION *ANGES BRA9S1 & BRE$S MORE NEOT5IC TRAITS4 ,BUT :AT'S WRONG ) EXT5D$ *ILDHOOD8 ,I CAN ?9K ( NO /RONG] REPRES5TATION ( AN>*ISM'S ASPIRATIONS ?AN ! TRIUMPH ( *ILDHOOD -- ( WILD COMPASSION1 PLAY1 9QUIRY1 & CREATIVITY -- OV] ! OSSIFI$ ALI5ATION ( ADUL?OOD4 

,& :AT DOES DOME/ICATION DO TO BRA9S8 ,SCOTT FOCUSES ON H[ IT BRE$S ! FE> \T ( ANIMALS4 ,L[]+ !IR ANXIETY AB\T O!R CREATURES4 ,?IS IS NOT UNTO ITSELF A NECESS>ILY NEGATIVE ?+4 ,IT FACILITATES CROSS-SPECIES COLLABORATION & SOLID>ITY4 

,WOLVES DOME/ICAT$ US JU/ AS WE DOME/ICAT$ !M1 A PROCESS ( DEEPLY B5EFICIAL SYMBIOSIS4 ,WE BECAME LESS AFRAID ( !M JU/ AS !Y BECAME LESS AFRAID ( US4 ,& -- IT MU/ BE SAID -- A M>K] ( PROGRESS IF ONE'S E?ICS VALUES ! EXPANSION ( \R EMPA?Y & CIRCLES ( C>E4 

,SCOTT TALKS ( VILLAGES AS MASSIVE RESETTLEM5T CAMPS1 A PHRASE ) 9T5D$ NEGATIVE VAL5CES1 BUT WE MI<T JU/ AS EASILY SEE !M AS NEW SELF-G5]AT+ ECOLOGICAL NI*ES4 ,MUTUALISM BETWE5 SPECIES DOESN'T EVOLVE EASILY1 ! COMPLEXITY 9VOLV$ NOT EASILY TUNNEL$ TO :5 ALL Y\ HAVE >E 9CREM5TAL G5E *ANGES OV] G5]ATIONS4 ,9DE$ ! DEGREE TO :I* MUTUALISM IS PRES5T IS SE5 AS A M>K] ( A HI<LY EVOLV$ ECOSY/EM4 ,HUMAN COGNITION1 9 %ORT1 ALL[$ ! PIONE]+ ( 5TIRELY NEW RELATION%IP WEBS ?AT B5EFIT$ A VA/ V>IETY ( SPECIES AS WELL AS AN EXPLOSION ( G5ETIC DEVELOPM5T ?R\< CULTIVATION4 

,YET ,SCOTT PORTRAYS ?IS 9T]DEP5D5CY 9 A NEGATIVE LI<T1 AS IF A SPECIES' AUTONOMY IS SOME K9D ( PRIMORDIAL E?ICAL GOOD4 ,I ?9K ?IS IMPLICIT NOTION DES]VES EXPOSURE1 AT ! V]Y LEA/4 

,IT MU/ BE EMPHASIZ$ ?AT AUTONOMY IS NOT ! SAME ?+ AS FRE$OM4 ,GREAT] 9T]DEP5D5CY CAN RADICALLY EXP& ! OPTIONS WE HAVE4 ,9DE$ /RICTLY SPEAK+ ! NEGATIVE LIB]TY ( 0AUTONOMY0 OR SELF-SUFFICI5CY CAN BE A V]Y ISOLAT+ & /ULTIFY+ SORT ( 0LIB]TY40 ,SURELY FRE$OM IS NOT RETREAT BUT ! EXT5SION ( \R AG5CY \T 9TO ! WORLD4 

,I MAKE ?IS CASE REPEAT$LY :5 5GAG+ ) ANTICIV N>RATIVES BUT IT'S A PO9T ?AT BE>S REPEAT+4 ,C]TA9LY 0FRE$OM TO0 SOMETIMES CRITICALLY REQUIRES SOME 0FRE$OM FROM0 BUT WE %\LDN'T CONF9E \RSELVES TO ONLY A REACTIVE DEF5SIVE NOTION ( LIB]ATION4 

,SCOTT'S HI/ORY IS DOCUM5T+ /ATELESS PEOPLE'S RESI/ANCE TO HUGE E/ABLI%$ P[] /RUCTURES1 USUALLY ?R\< ME?ODS ( RETREAT & OBFUSCATION1 SO IT'S UNSURPRIS+ ?AT HE READS HI/ORICAL SITUATIONS ?R\< !SE L5SES1 BUT ,I ?9K SU* ULTIMATELY LIMITS HIS EVALUATIONS4 

,!RE >E A C\PLE BIG WAYS4 

,SCOTT SEES A MY/]Y 9 ! FACT ?AT ! NEOLI?IC REVOLUTION DIDN'T LEAD TO A POPULATION EXPLOSION & PO/ULATES DISEASE AS ! EXPLANATION4 ,C]TA9LY LESS DIV]SE ECOSY/EMS & HI<] D5SITY POPULATIONS HAVE A GREAT] T5D5CY T[>DS PLAGUE1 BUT -- AS USUAL :5 READ+ !SE ACC\NTS -- ! AN>*I/ L5S SEEMS TO BE MISS+4 ,:AT IS UNIQUE AB\T \R PRES5T ]A ?AT /OPP$ ! SUPPOS$LY 9EVITABLE MAL?USIAN PRESSURES8 ,CULTURE4 ,FROM A Y\? LIB]ATIONI/ L5S CONTEMPOR>Y URBANIZATION HAS BE5 GR\NDBREAK+ BECAUSE IT DETA*$ ELD] SURVIVAL FROM H[ MANY *ILD SLAVES Y\ C\LD G5]ATE4 ,FRE$ TO LIVE LONG]1 RI*]1 MORE SECURE LIVES1 ! DEVELOP$ URBAN POPULATIONS %IFT$ !IR ORI5TATION T[>DS *ILD-RE>+ DRAMATICALLY1 ALL[+ EMPA?Y TO TAKE OV]4 ,P>5TS 9/EAD BEGAN TO CONCEIVE ( !IR *ILDR5 AS ALMO/ HUMAN1 & CONSEQU5TLY FOCUS$ ON NURTUR+ !M4 ,9/EAD ( APPLY+ EXCESS RES\RCES TO MAKE MORE *ILDR5 !Y UTILIZ$ !M TO PROVIDE MORE = ONE OR TWO *ILDR54 

,:ILE P>5TAL RELATIONS TO *ILDR5 REMA9 ALMO/ UNIV]SALLY TOXIC & ABUSIVE1 !Y /ILL %IFT$ QUITE DRAMATICALLY1 & WE MI<T OPTIMI/ICALLY TAKE ?IS AS A CASE ( A PREEXI/+ T5D5CY T[>DS COMPASSION REEM]G+ ! MOM5T ! %ACKLES ( AGRICULTURAL S]FDOM CAME (F & IT BECAME ECONOMICALLY VIABLE4 

,SIMPLY PUT1 IT IS LIKELY ! COLD 9HUMANITY ( MAL?USIANISM ?AT IS ! AB]RATION4 

,HUNT]-GA!R] BIR?RATES >E G5]ALLY DRA/ICALLY L[] ?AN AGRICULTURALI/ BIR?RATES1 ) CULTURES (T5 DEEPLY FOCUS$ >\ND %[]+ ATT5TION & RES\RCES ON A V]Y A FEW KIDS4 ,9 FACT HUNT]-GA!R] BIR?RATES LOOK A LOT CLOS] TO MOD]N PROGRESSIVE FIR/ WORLD BIR?RATES4 ,! MAT]IALI/ EXPLANATION (T5 GIV5 IS ?AT DRAMATIC DIFF]5CES 9 BODY FAT PRECIPITATE VA/LY DIFF]5T FREQU5CIES ( OVULATION -- & HUNT]GA!R]S T5D TO HAVE V]Y L[ LEVELS ( BODY FAT4 ,ALL O!R ?+S BE+ EQUAL IF Y\ 9CREASE ! FAT1 CON/ANT SEX IS LIKELY TO LEAD TO MORE *ILDR54 ,BUT A F\R? OR FIF? AS FREQU5T OVULATIONS W\LD BE 9SUFFICI5T ME*ANISM TO PREV5T REGUL> BIR?S & IGNORES V]Y DELIB]ATE CULTURAL & TE*NOLOGICAL PRACTICES 9 HUNT]-GA!R] SOCIETIES LIKE CONTRACEPTION1 9FANTICIDE1 & L5G?Y PO/P>TUM SEX TABOOS1 AS WELL AS MORE ! COMPLEX ME*ANISMS ( PRACTICES ?AT SUPPRESS PUB]TY1 F]TILITY1 OR OVULATION 7EG LONG] P]IODS ( BREA/FE$+74 

,S9CE HUNT]-GA!R]S DIDN'T TRY TO %IT \T AS MANY *ILD SLAVES AS POSSIBLE & 9DE$ W]E /RONGLY CULTURALLY ORI5T$ >\ND P>5TAL FULL ATT5TION ON ONE *ILD = AS LONG AS POSSIBLE1 !N ! TRANSITION TO AGRICULTURAL MODES DES]VES AN EXPLICIT ANALYSIS4 ,:AT CULTURAL %IFTS W]E LIKELY AS A CONSEQU5CE ( ! NEOLI?IC REVOLUTION8 ,W]E !Y LIKELY -- 9 ! ABS5CE ( A YOKE -- TO IMM$IATELY AB&ON A NURTURE MODEL ( *ILDRE>+ & %IFT TO A SLAVE MODEL8 ,P]HAPS IF ! PROMPT = ! REVOLUTION WAS PURELY 5VIRONM5TAL CATA/ROPHE1 BUT IF ! 5VIRONM5TAL PROMPTS W]E MU* SL[] OR LI<T] WE MI<T 9/EAD SEE ! NEOLI?IC REVOLUTION AS BE+ A %IFT+ ( COGNITIVE COMPLEXITY T[>DS ! PRODUCTION ( LA/+ & MORE SIGNIFICANTLY NETWORK$ CULTURE4 

,ONE MI<T *OOSE TO WA/E LESS COGNITIVE OV]HEAD MAPP+ DI/9CT FOOD NETWORKS1 & 9/EAD EMBRACE SOME SIMPL] WORK HABITS BECAUSE IT FREES UP MORE COGNITION TO 9V5T & CREATE4 ,! LABOR MAY HAVE BE5 MORE >DU\S 9 SPECIFIC WAYS1 BUT WE HAVE H>DLY ANY REASON TO BELIEVE 9DIVIDUALS W]E UND] AS IMM5SE SURVIVAL PRESSURES AS 9 ! AGES ( AGRICULTURAL S]FDOM4 

,!RE IS NO REASON 9 ?IS CONTEXT TO EXPECT A %IFT ( P>5TAL RELATIONS TO *ILDR5 9TO ! SLAVE MODEL4 ,& ?US NO REASON TO ASSUME A POPULATION EXPLOSION TO MAT* ! RES\RCES !Y HAD AVAILABLE4 

,SCOTT TALKS AT L5G? AB\T H[ DISEASE POSSIBLY C\LD HAVE HAD A HUGE ROLE 9 CON/ANT POPULATION W9N[+1 BUT HE ADMITS IT'S ALL DEEPLY SPECULATIVE1 )\T >*AEOLOGICAL EVID5CE4 ,BUT ! V]Y MAL?USIAN PROBLEM HE JU/ ASSUMES TO BE PRES5T IS DEEPLY SUSPECT4 

,TO BE CLE>1 !RE IS NOT -- ?AT ,I'M YET AW>E ( -- DEF9ITIVE >*AEOLOGICAL EVID5CE TO SUPPORT EI!R ,SCOTT'S OR MY HYPO!SIS4 ,!RE MAY YET BE SOME UNCOV]$ -- DISEASE & Y\? CODDL+ >E CONCEIVABLY DISC]NIBLE 9 BONE RECORDS -- BUT 9 ! ABS5CE ( /RONG EMPIRICAL DATA FROM ?AT ]A WE'RE LEFT ) A QUE/ION3 ,DO Y\ ?9K ?AT /ATELESS CROP-RAIS+ HUMANS >E LIKELY TO TREAT *ILDR5 AS SLAVES & ?US REPRODUCE MAL?USIAN POPULATION GR[?8 ,OR >E !Y MORE LIKELY TO TURN ANY ABUNDANCE 9W>D UPON !IR EXI/+ (FSPR+8 

,SCOTT CITES ,RI*>D ,LEE'S CONTEMPOR>Y /UDIES BETWE5 ! 6,KUNG & CONTEMPOR>Y F>M+ SOCIETIES1 BUT GIV5 ?AT CONTEMPOR>Y F>M+ CULTURES >E PO/ ?\S&S ( YE>S ( CONTACT ) & %AP+ BY WIDESPREAD /ATISM SU* A COMP>ISON W\LD BE COMPLETELY IRRELEVANT TO EVALUATIONS ( ! ORIG9AL PRE-/ATE F>M+ SOCIETIES4 

,NO ONE DISPUTES ?AT S$5T>Y SOCIETIES -- MU* LESS MASS SOCIETIES -- PROVIDE GREAT] OPPORTUNITY = DISEASE1 & ?AT IMBALANC$ DIETS AS WELL AS CONC5TRAT$ FOOD SUPPLIES CAN EMPHASIZE ?IS4 ,BUT DISEASE ROLLS 9 WAVES RA!R ?AN AS A CONSI/5T POPULATION SUPPRESSANT & WAS EV5 MORE ( A PROBLEM = LAT] SOCIETIES :OSE POPULATIONS SKYROCKET$4 ,NOT TO M5TION -- IF WE'RE MAK+ COMP>ISONS TO MOD]N F>M+ SOCIETIES -- PLAGUE IS H>DLY ! OMNIPRES5T CATA/ROPHIC POPULATION SUPPRESSANT HE MAKES IT \T TO BE4 ,SCOTT CORRECTLY PO9TS \T SOME LIMITATIONS & FRAILTIES TO E>LY S$5T>Y F>M+ SOCIETIES1 BUT HE TREATS !M AS SU* EXTREME B>RI]S ?AT HE CAN ONLY CLAIM ! EXPLOSION ( SU* LIFE/YLES & 9FRA/RUCTURE IS 0A MIRACLE40 

,I'D RA!R NOT HAVE TO APPEAL TO MIRACLES4 

,! SUPPOS$ CORRELATION BETWE5 ! ONSET ( AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES & *ILD MAXIMIZATION = USE AS SLAVES IS SUSPECT AT BE/4 ,IT W\LD TAKE A LOT TO %AKE CULTURAL PRACTICES ( HI< 9DIVIDUAL-9VE/M5T *ILDRE>+ & RE-CONCEPTUALIZE \R RELATION TO \R (FSPR+ AS SLAVES RA!R ?AN COMRADES4 ,IT W\LD TAKE1 9 %ORT1 SOME?+ LIKE A /ATE4 

,& ,SCOTT IS QUITE DETAIL$ AB\T H[ /ATES AGGRESSIVELY CONTROLL$ !IR POPULATIONS & SAW !M AS PROP]TY TO BE MAXIMIZ$4 ,HAV+ ADDITIONAL *ILDR5 AS AN E>LY AGRICULTURALI/ MAY NOT HAVE PROVID$ MORE ASSI/ANCE OR LESS PREC>ITY1 BUT HAV+ ADDITIONAL *ILDR5 DEF9ITELY PROVID$ ! /ATE ) MORE CONSCRIPT$ SOLDI]S & RAW SLAVES4 

,9 A CONTEXT ( RAW & UN5D+ RAID+ W>S !RE'S A V]Y 9T5SE PRESSURE UPON /ATE 5TITIES TO MAXIMIZE ! NUMB] ( *ILDR5 ,& %R9K H[ MU* !Y EA* GET D[N TO SUBSI/5CE LEVELS4 ,?US DOES ! EM]G5CE ( /ATES NECESS>ILY CREATE & DEP5D UPON ! EM]G5CE ( A RADICALLY NEW CULTURE OR WAY ( RELAT+ TO \R *ILDR54 ,POLITICAL P[] HAS LONG DEP5D$ CRITICALLY UPON AGEI/ JU/IFICATIONS ( P>5TAL P[]4 ,E>LY /ATES EM]G$ AS PILLAG+ 5G9ES1 GANGS AT W> ?AT (F]$ A PROTECTION RACKET ALMO/ C]TA9LY CLOSELY ALIGN$ ) CULTURALLY PREEXI/+ HI]>*IES ( ELD] & P>5TAL P[]4 ,& :5 Y\R *ILDR5 >E BE+ PRESS-GANG$ 9TO S]VICE ) SMALL SURVIVAL ODDS IT ACTUALLY DOES MAKE SOME S5SE TO HAVE MORE *ILDR5 SO ?AT Y\ DON'T \TLIVE ALL ( !M4 ,?US DOES A RELATIVELY COMPASSIONATE -- IF /ILL DEEPLY PROBLEMATIC -- RELATION%IP PROVIDE ITS [N 9T]NAL RATIONALE = A CULTURAL %IFT TO %ITT+ \T AS MANY KIDS AS POSSIBLE4 ,& IT'S EASY TO IMAG9E H[ ?IS W\LD HAVE %IFT$ OV] TIME TO AN ORI5TATION MORE & MORE ALI5AT$ FROM & DICTATORIAL OV] ONE'S PROG5Y4 ,:5 Y\ HAVE LOTS ( KIDS LEFT OV] 9 A TIME ( RELATIVE PEACE Y\ JU/ HONE/LY HAVE LESS TIME = EA* ONE4 ,:5 Y\ HAVE MORE M\?S TO FE$ Y\ RISK BECOM+ MORE RES5TFUL ( ! C>E Y\ >E CULTURALLY & TAXATIONALLY PU%$ TO PROVIDE & EXPECT MORE />K RECOMP5SE = IT4 

,IT SEEMS V]Y LIKELY ?AT ! MACROSCOPIC PH5OM5ON ( ! RISE ( /ATES -- MASSIVE 5G9ES ( SLAV]Y -- WAS 9EXTRICABLE FROM *ANGES 9 ! CULTURE & PSY*OLOGY ( P>5T+4 ,>IS+ SIMULTANE\SLY 9 FE$BACK LOOPS ( DEHUMANIZATION & HI]>*Y WOR%IP+4 

,9 ?IS S5SE IS ! BROAD] CULTURE ( /ATISM DIRECTLY ! CULTURE ( MAL?USIANISM1 ADULT SUPREMACY1 & PATRI>*Y4 

,SCOTT EXPLICITLY COV]S TAX BREAKS GIV5 BY E>LY /ATES = ! PRODUCTION ( MORE *ILDR5 & REF]S TO /ATES AS 0POPULATION MA*9ES10 & YET HIS FAILURE TO TIE !SE ?+S TOGE!R IS J>R+4 ,E>LY /ATES W]E 5G9ES ( SY/EMIZ$ RAPE1 EXT5D+ ! PILLAG+ ( E>LI] W> TRIBES TO /RUCTUR$ & CATALOG$ SY/EMS ?AT SAW WOM5 AS CAPITAL = MAK+ MORE SLAVES4 ,SCOTT EV5 TALKS AB\T H[ POPULATIONS WILL G5]ALLY ADAMANTLY REFUSE TO PRODUCE A SURPLUS UNLESS =C$ BY /ATES4 ,SCOTT IS ( C\RSE TALK+ 9 T]MS ( FOOD 7& COMMODITY7 PRODUCTION BUT :Y DOESN'T HE EXT5D ?IS TO *ILDR58 ,:Y W\LD A /ATELESS S$5T>Y AGRICULTURAL POPULATION WORK TO PRODUCE SURPLUS *ILDR58 ,ESPECIALLY ) ! SEV]E CO/ & RISK ?IS BORE UPON WOM5 -- :O WE MU/ REMEMB] >E FUCK+ PEOPLE & BE=E SY/EMATIC 5SLAVEM5T PROBABLY HAD GODDAMN PRIORITIES & DESIRES BEYOND AN EXI/5CE AS BRE$+ /OCK1 NOT TO M5TION USUALLY SOME ACCESS TO H]BAL CONTRACEPTIVES4 ,SURELY MAL?USIANISM IS AN UNREASONABLE DEFAULT *>ACT]I/IC ( HUMANS & WAS LIKELY IMPOS$4 

,I H>P ON ?IS PO9T SO /RONGLY BECAUSE ,SCOTT'S BOOK -- UNLIKE ,GELD]LOOS' -- L>GELY AVOIDS CULTURAL OR PSY*OLOGICAL ANALYSIS4 ,?US ! SY/EMS ( ADULT SUPREMACY ?AT *OKE \R WORLD & UND]P9 MYRIAD =MS ( P[] GO ALMO/ 5TIRELY UNCONSID]$4 ,BUT ALSO BECAUSE SU* A L5S CREATES /RONG REASONS TO D\BT ?AT E>LY AGRICULTURALI/S W]E AS MIS]ABLE AS ,SCOTT IMPLIES4 

,I ?9K ?IS MATT]S BECAUSE ?IS N>RATIVE ( AGRICULTURE BE+ T]RIBLE IMPLIES A LACK ( AG5CY ON ! P>T ( E>LY HUMANS AS WELL G5]ALLY CURTAILS ! SPACE ( ! POSSIBLE1 IMPLY+ ?AT ONE ( ! MO/ RADICAL REVOLUTIONS 9 HUMAN HI/ORY WAS 5TIRELY A MI/AKE4 ,I'M NOT A HUGE FAN ( HI/ORICAL AGRICULTURAL =MS OR EV5 PURELY S$5T>Y LIFE -- MY RESIDUAL PRIMITIVI/ 9/9CTS RUN TOO DEEP -- BUT ,I ?9K IT'S WOR? *>ITABLY READ+ SOME AG5CY 9TO ! E>LY S$5T>Y PEOPLES4 

,SCOTT USES ! L[ POPULATION GR[? ( !SE SOCIETIES AS A CASE AGA9/ !M1 TO IMPLY ?AT LIFE MU/ HAVE BE5 JU/ ABOVE SURVIVAL1 A DE/ITUTE & DESP]ATE AFFAIR ?AT C\LD ONLY HAVE BE5 FOI/$ UPON !M ?R\< %ORT-SI<T$NESS & CATA/ROPHIC 5VIRONM5TAL PRESSURES4 

,I ?9K ?IS IS FALSE1 ,I ?9K ?AT PEOPLE HAVE HUNG]S BEYOND FOOD1 & WILL DEMON/RABLY FI<T TIME AFT] TIME TO ACCUMULATE TOGE!R 9 GREAT NUMB]S = ! B5EFITS ( KN[L$GE1 CULTURAL COMPLEXITY1 & *OICE 9 ONE'S RELATION%IPS4 

,I ?9K \R HUNT]-GA!R] ANCE/ORS SETTL$1 CLOSELY CLU/]+ TRIBES ) ONE ANO!R 9 ! WETL&S & DELTA REGIONS1 BECAUSE !Y WANT$ TO4 ,BECAUSE ( ! RI* DIV]SITY ( RES\RCES AVAILABLE NOT JU/ AT ONE'S F+]S BUT ?\< WAT]WAY TRADE4 ,BUT ! FOOD !Y F\ND MO/ NUTRITI\S WAS CULTURE4 ,I ?9K HUMANS HUNG] = COGNITIVE COMPLEXITY & CONSEQU5CE TO \R ACTIONS4 ,GRAEB] COV]$ ?IS 9 HIS REC5T BOOK ,BULL%IT ,JOBS1 REF]5C+ ! PIL+ PSY*OLOGICAL DATA ?AT PEOPLE HUNG] PR(\NDLY = \R ACTIONS TO HAVE CONSEQU5CES1 TO EXP& \R AG5CY \TW>D 9TO ! WORLD4 ,I ?9K ?IS NE$ = *OICE1 = ! POSITIVE FRE$OM TO ACT & TO *ANGE ?+S1 DROVE AN EXPLOSION ( CULTURE 9 ! REGIONS :]E HUMANS SETTL$ 9 L>GE NUMB]S CLOSE TOGE!R4 ,& ?AT !SE PEOPLE W]E UNWILL+ TO GIVE UP ! NUTRITION ( ?AT RI*LY BUILDABLE & CONSEQU5TIAL COGNITIVE COMPLEXITY1 EV5 TO ! PO9T ( 5SLAV+ !IR BODIES 9 REPETITIVE TASKS RA!R ?AN SP5D+ !IR M9D ON ! COMPLEX CONSID]ATIONS ( HUNT+ 9/EAD4 

,AS HUNT]-GA!R]S WE W]E BRILLIANT SCI5TI/S1 BUT WE W]E NODES LOCK$ 9 A COMPLEX NETWORK WE HAD LITTLE TO NO SAY 94 ,& SO WE W>P$ & MUTILAT$ \R WORLD ) FIRE & C\NTLESS O!R 9V5TIONS1 TRY+ TO HAVE AS BIG ( AN IMPACT AS WE C\LD1 TO EXT5D \R REA* BEYOND \R >MS4 ,:5 WE HAD ! OPPORTUNITY TO MORE D5SELY SETTLE 9 T[NS ( ?\S&S 9 RI* WETL&S WE NOT ONLY LEAP$ AT ! *ANCE1 WE BECAME \R [N ECOSY/EMS4 ,CAMBRIAN EXPLOSIONS ( ! MEME1 EV5 :ILE WE W>P$ ! L& TO COLLAPSE DIV]SITY ( ! G5E4 

,SCOTT EMPHASIZES AGA9 & AGA9 ! EXPON5TIAL ADVANTAGES TO COMMUNICATIVE DISEASES ) POPULATION 9CREASES1 BUT ! SAME IS TRUE = M5TAL DISEASES -- O!RWISE KN[N AS >T1 SCI5CE1 & ! LIKE4 ,BECAUSE :AT GOOD >E HUMANS -- LUMB]+ OAF LIKE CREATURES -- IF NOT AS C>RI]S = IDEAS1 EXP]I5CES1 DREAMS1 & ASPIRATIONS8 

,CIVILIZATION IS LIT]ALLY '! CULTURE ( CITIES4' ,! EXPLOSIVE ECOSY/EM ( WILD NEW LIFE=MS :OSE EVOLUTION SPE$S =W>D AT DIZZY+ PACES F> BEYOND ! /UNT$ EVOLUTION ( MAT]IAL BIOLOGICAL BE+S CONF9$ TO G5E *ANGES OV] G5]ATIONS4 ,A RI* & COMPLICAT$ NI*E ONLY MADE POSSIBLE BY ! ACCUMULATION ( L>GE NUMB]S ( HUMANS4 

,IT IS AN ECOSY/EM FULL ( UNP>ALLEL$ MON/]S & MUTUALISM1 VA/LY DIFF]5T =CES & CONFLICTS1 BUT IT IS AN ECOSY/EM ?AT WILL FI<T TO SURVIVE4 ,?AT WILL -- UNLESS IT MATURES SOON -- CONT9UE BURN+ D[N ! PLANET ?AT ITS HO/ MEATSACKS /ILL DEP5D UPON4 

,ACC\NTS LIKE ?AT ( ,JAMES ,C4 ,SCOTT W\LD L>GELY PA9T ?\<T & CULTURE \T ( ! PICTURE1 W\LD R$UCE IT TO M]ELY A REACTIVE ROLE1 RESPOND+ TO 5VIRONM5TAL CONDITIONS & PRESSURES4 ,AGA9/ ! ,GRA9 IS A RELATIVELY MAT]IALI/ ACC\NT1 ( ! SORT ?AT CAN'T HELP BUT DIM9I% ?\<T & CULTURE1 TO SEE IT AS A K9D ( /ATIC NOISE OV]LAY$ OV] DEEP] %AP+ /RUCTURES4 ,!RE >E ( C\RSE IMPORTANT & CRITICAL 9FLU5CES PLAY$ BY MAT]IAL CONDITIONS1 BY ! /RUCTURES ( TE*NOLOGIES1 BY ! LIMITS ( COMPUTATION 9 ! FACE ( COMPLEXITY4 ,BUT :AT Y\ RISK MISS+ ) SU* A L5S IS LIT]ALLY EV]Y?+ ELSE4 

,MAL?USIANISM R$UCES PEOPLE TO UN?9K+ BACT]IA1 TO RABBITS )\T ! =ESI<T TO CONSID] ! C>RY+ CAPACITY ( !IR 5VIRONM5T4 ,TODAY MU* ( ! ANTICIV DISC\RSE DEP5DS UPON NOTIONS ( 9EVITABILITY1 HI/ORICAL =CES ?AT WE >E P[]LESS 9 ! FACE (1 ?AT WE MU/ SIMPLY RUN & SCURRY FROM4 ,BUT MAL?USIANISM TURN$ \T TO BE UTT]LY & PR(\NDLY WRONG4 ,IT WAS A SIMPLI/IC 9DUCTION ( /RUCTURE FROM A LIMIT$ DATASET1 IT ASSUM$ PEOPLE W]E SIMPL] ?AN !Y REALLY >E4 ,?AT ALL ?AT CULTURE1 E?ICS1 IDEOLOGY1 & PHILOSOPHY /UFF WAS JU/ EMPTY MEAN+LESS FLAK ?AT C\LD BE IGNOR$4 ,IT TURN$ \T 9/EAD ?AT !IR MODEL WAS EMPTY4 

,I 5C\NT] SU* ?9K+ ?R\<\T ANTICIV & GRE5 MILIEUS4 ,GREAT BIG AB/RACTIONS & N>RATIVES LIKE 0CIVILIZATION0 OR CLAIMS AB\T ! 9EVITABILITY ( /ATES FROM AGRICULTURE >E TAK5 TO BE COLD H>D REALITIES1 :]EAS ! WILD JUMBLE ( IDEAS & DESIRES ?AT P]MEATE HUMAN LIFE >E SE5 AS TOO?LESS SPECT]S4 ,! REV]SE IS (T5 TRUE4 ,! WORLD IS NOT DET]M9$ BY GIANT MOLO*IAN DEMONS /RID+ ABOVE US1 IMPREGNABLE & DET]M9I/IC4 ,! WORLD IS F> RI*] & MORE COMPLICAT$4 ,CIVILIZATION IS NOT M]ELY A BUN* ( UN?9K+ RABBITS RESPOND+ BL9DLY TO 5VIRONM5TAL PRESSURES & A *A9 ( UN=ESE5 CONSEQU5CES GR9D+ \T 9EXORABLY1 BUT A SITE ( DAZZL+LY RI* CONFLICT1 BETWE5 T5D5CIES LIKE FRE$OM & P[]1 COMPLEXITY & SIMPLICITY1 ALWAYS PRES5T 9 HUMAN LIFE1 BUT SCAL$ UP4 ,! /AKES D\BL$ & D\BL$ AGA91 COMP\ND+ GRAVELY BUT ALSO ) GREAT PROMISE4 

,?IS WILD UNRULY PROJECT WE CALL CIVILIZATION1 ! CULTURE ( CITIES1 HAS UNLEA%$ 9CR$IBLE FRE$OM & 9CR$IBLE OPPRESSION1 LOCK$ 9 EV] MORE COMPLICAT$ TANGLES >\ND C\NTLESS P>TICUL>S4 ,:5 WE ASSUME ?AT ONE T5D5CY 9NATELY HAS ! DRIV]'S SEAT WE BL9D \RSELVES TO MYRIAD OPPORTUNITIES TO 9FLU5CE HI/ORY \RSELVES1 OR JU/ TO ID5TIFY & /RIKE AT WEAK PO9TS4 

,9 HIS BE/ MOM5TS ,SCOTT EXPLICITLY RECOGNIZES ?IS1 & AS ,I SAY HIS ACC\NT IS F> MORE ACCURATE & NUANC$ ?AN PRIOR POPUL> N>RATIVES4 ,BUT 9 HIS PU%BACK TO ?OSE HI< S*OOL TEXTBOOK /YLE N>RATIVES ,I WORRY HE CREATES MOM5TUM = A SIMIL>LY UN-NUANC$ ANTICIV N>RATIVE4 ,SO ,I DO WANT TO 9T]V5E AGA9/ ?AT READ+4 

,EV]Y TIME ,I WRITE ON ?IS TOPIC !RE IS OB/9ATE IRRITATION 9 SOME QU>T]S AT MY USE ( ! T]M 0CIVILIZATION0 TO MEAN SOME?+ O!R ?AN ,P]LMAN'S ,LEVIA?AN4 ,BUT ,I ?9K IT'S V]Y IMPORTANT TO CONTE/ :E!R 0CIVILIZATION0 ACTUALLY REPRES5TS ANY?+ REMOTELY LIKE ! P[] /RUCTURES ( ! /ATE4 ,:AT IS AT /AKE IS EV]Y?+ ! =CES ( FRE$OM HAVE /RUGGL$ = & WON 9 ! LONG BATTLEFIELD ( CIVILIZATION4 

,! GREATE/ AN>*I/ VICTORY 9 HI/ORY IS COSMOPOLITANISM1 ! EXPANSION ( \R CIRCLE ( C>E TO /RANG]S1 TO O!R SPECIES4 ,IT IS HAS LONG BE5 A C5TRAL T]M TO ! CONFLICTS OV] 0ANTICIV40 ,?OSE :O /RID5TLY OPPOSE 0MASS SOCIETIES0 BECAUSE 0HUMANS W]E NOT MADE TO C>E AB\T OR DEAL ) /RANG]S0 HAVE ALWAYS BE5 PROM95T 9 PRIMITIVI/ & ANTICIV DISC\RSE1 COM+ TO A REPULSIVE HEAD ) ,9DIVIDUALS ,T5D+ ,T[>DS ,SAVAG]Y1 !IR MURD]S & BOMB+S EXPLICITLY 9T5D$ TO REVOKE & DECL>E W> ON UNIV]SALI/IC COMPASSION4 

,SU* WID5+ EMPA!TIC HORIZONS >E DEEPLY 5ME%$ ) CITY CULTURE4 ,9DE$ !Y >E QUITE >GUABLY SYNONYM\S ) IT4 ,IT IS -- IF ANY?+ -- ?OSE :O S\<T TO TURN PEACEFULLY TRAD+ SETTLEM5TS 9TO 5G9ES ( RAID+ ?AT REPRES5T ! =CES OR T5D5CIES OPPOS$ TO CIVILIZATION1 ATTEMPT+ TO DEV\R & DIGE/ IT4 

,WE CAN EV5 SPECULATE ( IT BE+ ! 0B>B>IANS0 ?AT BR\<T ! /ATE 9TO EXI/5CE4 ,AS /ATELESS CIVILIZATION SPREAD SO DID MILITANT RAID+ CULTURES ( \TSID]S EM]GE 9 REACTION -- AB&ON+ MORE COMPLEX HUNT]-GA!R] PA?WAYS = A SPECIALIZATION 9 RAID+ ! WEAL? ?AT ACCUMULAT$ 9 S$5T>Y SOCIETIES4 ,RI* KN[L$GE ( ECOSY/EMS WI!R+ 9 FAVOR ( ! V]Y SIMPLI/IC FOCUS ( W>F>E4 

,RAID+ IS SU* A DI/9CT SPECIALIZATION ?AT IT SEEMS A LITTLE C\NT]9TUITIVE TO ME ?AT S$5T>Y AGRICULTURALI/S W\LD SMOO?LY TURN TO IT4 ,RAID+ LOOKS MORE LIKE A SMOO? EXT5SION ( HUNT+ ?AN HORTICULTURE1 & AS ,SCOTT PO9TS \T IT (T5 IS4 ,MI<T IT BE 9/EAD ?OSE /ILL 5ME%$ 9 ! HUNT+ & !N RAID+ ORI5TATION ?AT HELP$ DEVELOP W>F>E8 ,MI<T 9 FACT IT BE ! P>ASITES :O REFUS$ TO P>TAKE 9 ! MUTUALISM & COSMOPOLITANISM ( S$5T>Y SETTLEM5TS ?AT F\ND$ ! /ATE =M8 

,WE KN[ ?AT !RE WAS CROSSOV] BETWE5 SETTL$ & NOMADIC RAID+ POPULATIONS4 ,SCOTT PRIM>ILY FOCUSES ON ?IS 9 T]MS ( 9/ANCES ( ESCAPE FROM ! CITY CORE & 5SLAVEM5T BACK 9TO IT ONCE /ATES HAD OV]TAK5 CITIES4 ,BUT WE OBVI\SLY ALSO KN[ MANY 9/ANCES ( RAID+ SOCIETIES DECID+ TO SET UP P]MAN5T %OP 9 ! /ATES !Y RAID$4 ,:Y W\LDN'T ! SAME ?+ HAVE HAPP5$ TO CITIES PRIOR TO ! EM]G5CE ( /ATES8 

,& DOESN'T ?IS SEEM LIKE ! MO/ REASONABLE G5ESIS = /ATE BEHAVIOR8 

,:ILE HE AVOIDS CONSID]+ !M AS S\RCES ( PRIMORDIAL /ATE G5ESIS ,I WAS PLEAS$ ?AT ,SCOTT 9DE$ BR\<T UP ! CLOSE P>ALLELS BETWE5 RAID]S & /ATES3 

0,RAID]S >E MO/ LIKELY TO ADJU/ !IR /RATEGY TO SOME?+ ?AT LOOKS MORE LIKE A 0PROTECTION RACKET40 444,9 EXTRACT+ A SU/A9ABLE SURPLUS FROM S$5T>Y COMMUNITIES & F5D+ (F EXT]NAL ATTACKS TO PROTECT ITS BASE1 A /ABLE PROTECTION RACKET LIKE ?IS IS H>D TO DI/+UI% FROM ! >*AIC /ATE ITSELF40 

,GELD]LOOS HAS MAPP$ MANY PA?WAYS 9 :I* MORE REC5T SOCIETIES CAN BE TRACK$ TI]+ UP 9TO ADM9I/RATIVE HI]>*IES1 & NO D\BT !RE >E MANY MANY DANG]S TO WAT* \T =4 ,BUT IT'S WOR? NOT+ ?AT ! MORE CONCRETE EXAMPLES WE HAVE AVAILABLE TAKE PLACE 9 ! CULTURAL %AD[ & 9FLU5CE ( ?\S&S ( YE>S ( /ATE SOCIETIES4 

,E>LY AGRICULTURAL SETTLEM5TS REQUIR$ A GREAT DEGREE ( VOLUNT>Y COLLABORATION2 5SLAVEM5T C]TA9LY WASN'T AN OPTION = ! 9ITIAL POPULATIONS ?AT /ILL RETA9$ HUNT]-GA!R] SKILLS4 ,IT IS REASONABLE TO EXPECT AN EGALIT>IAN CULTURE1 ONE ( EXPANSIVE CIRCLES ( C>E1 TO OV]COME SUSPICIONS ( /RANG]S BEYOND ,DUNB>'S NUMB]4 ,WE SEE SEEM+LY PEACEFUL1 EGALIT>IAN1 & /ATELESS CITY SOCIETIES ?R\<\T ! >*AEOLOGICAL RECORD FROM ,CATALHOYUK TO ,H>APPA & ,MOH5JO-D>O1 (T5 ) RI* TRADE NETWORKS4 ,H[ DOES CITY CULTURE OR EV5 JU/ S$5T>Y GRA9 CULTURE SUDD5LY %IFT TO BRUTALLY O!R+ \TSID]S MU* LESS !IR [N *ILDR58 ,! /ATE HAS ALWAYS BE5 FIR/ & =EMO/ AN 5G9E ( W>F>E1 TAXATION1 & SLAV]Y4 ,:AT DOES ?AT LOOK LIKE8 ,IT LOOKS LIKE ! RAID+ CULTURE ( SOME NOMADIC SOCIETIES1 9DE$ A SUBSET ( HUNT]-GA!R] COMMUNITIES ?R\<\T HI/ORY1 BUT ) ! P[] ( 5TIRE CITIES UND] !IR HEEL4 

,I'M NOT SAY+ ?AT ?IS IS NECESS>ILY ! CASE4 ,HUMANS >E UNBELIEVABLY COMPLICAT$1 HI/ORY IS RI*LY CONT+5T1 PROBABLY LIT]ALLY EV]Y?+ ?AT C\LD HAPP5 DID HAPP51 9CLUD+ ! 5DOG5\S =MATION ( /ATES )9 CITY SOCIETIES4 ,BUT ! V]Y PLAUSIBLE C\NT]-N>RATIVE ,I PRES5T H]E %\LD GIVE US PAUSE4 

,I'M H>DLY UNAW>E ( ! HI/ORY ( H[ N>RATIVES >\ND 0CIVILIZATION0 & 0SAVAGES0 HAVE BE5 WEAPONIZ$ BY ! MO/ VICI\S & G5OCIDAL =CES 9 HUMAN HI/ORY1 TO UNP>ALLEL$ ATROCITIES4 ,WE HAVE EV]Y REASON TO BE SUSPICI\S & TO 9/9CTIVELY WANT TO FLIP ! N>RATIVE 5TIRELY4 ,BUT ! RISK ( RHETORICAL MISUSE %\LDN'T BL9D US4 ,IF 9DE$ /ATES DO NOT HAVE ?AT /RONG ( CLAIM TO 0CITY CULTURE0 WE CANNOT AF=D TO SLAPDA%$LY CONFLATE !M1 OR TO OBSCURE ! DI/9CT ROOTS ( ! TRANSITION TO /ATES1 ( ! CULTURE ( /ATES4 ,WE %\LD RECOGNIZE ?AT EV5 IF IT MEANS ! LOSS ( SIMPLE RHETORICAL N>RATIVES1 IT OP5S UP MORE POSSIBILITY = RESI/ANCE IF /ATISM IS A CULTURAL /RA9 9 SOME REAL S5SE ALI5 TO & P>ASITIC ON ! CITY1 ON ! CULTURE ( MASS SETTLEM5TS & AGRICULTURE4 ,A CULTURAL /RA9 ?AT HAS 9 MANY WAYS CONSUM$ MANY HO/S & ZOMBIFI$ O!RS1 BUT ONE ?AT IS NEV]!LESS NOT SYNONYM\S ) ITS HO/S4 

,! \TBREAK KN[N AS FASCISM 9 ! LA/ C5TURY HAS BE5 ILLUM9AT+ 9 ?AT IT REVEAL$ ! DEEP HO/ILITY ?AT P[] FEELS TO COSMOPOLITANISM1 COMPASSION = ! /RANG]1 & POSITIVE SUM COLLABORATION4 ,! TOOLS IT US$ IT ALSO OP5LY DESPIS$ & RES5T$4 

,AS AN>*I/S WE >E ALL 9T5SELY AW>E ( H[ \R PROJECTS >E 9EVITABLY CO-OPT$ BY SY/EMS ( P[]4 ,!Y RAID US ( \R IDEAS & 9SI<TS1 TAKE \R UNRULY FIRE & TRY TO H>NESS IT TO BETT] DRIVE !IR 5G9ES4 ,BUT ?IS IS NOT )\T T5SION ON !IR P>T -- !Y DO ?IS BECAUSE !Y >E =C$ TO ADOPT & CONSUME \R PROJECTS LE/ !Y BECOME OV]RUN OR DEFANG$ AGA9/ !M4 ,IT IS DI%E>T5+ = US1 BUT ?IS PROCESS ( APPROPRIATION & CONSUMPTION IS ! NATURE ( \R /RUGGLE4 ,! QUE/ION IS :E!R \R PROJECTS GIVE !M 9DIGE/ION1 9FECT1 & UND]M9E !M1 OR :E!R \R FIRE IS 5SLAV$ & REPURPOS$4 

,9 ?IS1 CIVILIZATION IS A RACE4 

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,*RONOLOGY 3 
,JANU>Y #b#a1 #bba 3 ,AVOID+ ! ,BLAME -- ,:AT A ,FOCUS ON ,GRA9 ,OBSCURES -- ,ADD$4 
,JANU>Y #f1 #bbb 3 ,AVOID+ ! ,BLAME -- ,:AT A ,FOCUS ON ,GRA9 ,OBSCURES -- ,UPDAT$4 

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