In short, Europeโs colonization of Africa had nothing to do with differences between European and African peoples themselves, as white racists assume. Rather, it was due to accidents of geography and biogeographyโin particular, to the continentsโ different areas, axes, and suites of wild plant and animal species. That is, the different historical trajectories of Africa and Europe stem ultimately from differences in real estate.
Jared DiamondThousands of years ago, humans domesticated every possible large wild mammal species fulfilling all those criteria and worth domesticating, with the result that there have been no valuable additions of domestic animals in recent times, despite the efforts of modern science.
Jared DiamondNo government is here forever. And there are other forces - the most potent force in our society, in fact, big business - doing good for the environment.
Jared DiamondThe King's 28 letters have been described by scholars as the world's best alphabet and the most scientific system of writing.
Jared Diamond