Rather than looking at the Neolithic Revolution in terms of
good or bad, we must examine it as it was, a huge leap in agriculture which set
a chain in motion, linking the past with our today. While the Neolithic
Revolution advanced the human race, there were many unintended consequences
that we see in modern everyday life. The Neolithic Revolution marks the
emergence of agriculture and from there a radical change in human society. It
is from this base that stems division of occupation, social hierarchy, trade,
and war, all contributions to the complex gray-area between right and wrong
relevant in today’s world.
When humans are presented with tasks, over time, they look
to improve efficiency and effectiveness. Upon developing new technology, making
the process of agriculture systematic and more efficient, they found time to do
other things. With the advancement of technology comes the beginning of
division of occupation. Ultimately different families primarily worked in
different fields and depending on what they did and how well they did it, they
gained resources for trade. Now begins the separation of classes, turning
society into a social hierarchy. Those with more resources had an easier time
expanding their wealth than those with little to begin with. More resources in
the society led to greater opportunity and want for trade; however, with more contact
between humans there is more war and conflict. Division of labor allowed the
acquisition of resources and social stratification; however, those same
resources also served as an incentive for war, because everyone wants the
resources.
Arguably two of the
world’s most pressing problems include poverty and greed, both consequences of
the Neolithic Revolution. In a hunter-gatherer society, there is equality for
both men and women both out in the field and in the decision making process. War
is unnecessary because all have the same resources. There is no separation of
classes because there are no extra resources to worry about. Everyone has their
job, to contribute to the community rather than to oneself. Now, everyone
scrambles to get what they want, everyone is straining their necks to get the better
view; we have forgotten that can all have a great view when everyone just steps
back. The problems of today ironically arise from The Neolithic Revolution, reinforcing
the bondage between now and yesterday’s unintended consequences.
Interesting post Claire! I really appreciate the thoughtful and balanced approach you take here. What would happen if you stared with your last paragraph? Do you see how that would focus your argument, and then give you something concrete to discuss in your post? Remember that this blog is a chance to highlight YOUR good ideas!
ReplyDeleteAlso, if you were going to select one image that would add something to your post, what would it be?
Keep up the great work!
I like your second's paragraph analysis, and it's easy for me to understand how some things in the Neolithic Age lead to other things. I'm a little more confused with the second paragraph and I am not fully convinced that poverty and greed were a result of the Neolithic Revolution.
ReplyDeleteYour post was really fun for me to read because you presented a lot of arguments, some of which I whole-heartedly agree with and some that I'm still not convinced about. I think you make a great insight that "when humans are presented with tasks, over time, they look to improve efficiency and effectiveness." This is one of humanity's best qualities, in my opinion, but, like you said, higher efficiency can have unintended consequences.
ReplyDeleteGoing to your last paragraph, I'm personally not so sure that the Paleolithic age was as idyllic as you make it out to be. Yes, poverty and greed are some of the world's most pressing problems. But I'm sure that there were still greedy hunter-gatherers who didn't play fair. When dealing with humans, inequality seems inevitable. I do agree that the Neolithic Revolution indirectly brought about poverty by producing great cities, great wealth, and thus great inequality, but I don't know that we can blame poverty on this Revolution. I would blame it on the laws of economics (if those exist?) and human nature.
I really like your arguments! It was very interesting and I really like your analysis in the second paragraph. I would also have to agree with Max about the last paragraph, I don't see how the Revolution directly caused poverty in Greece.
ReplyDeleteI liked you your non-Black-and-white approach. It really helped your argument. I think I little bit more clarity and explanation in paragraph 3 is need just to strengthen the connection between poverty and the Neolithic revolution. I am having a little bit of trouble seeing how they are directly related. You have some really excellent points and ideas, but try and back them with a bit more evidence.
ReplyDelete