CIVILIZATION PUNDIT
Look at Civilization as an "ongoing brew"
So that there is no misunderstanding or worry that Civilization Pundit ® will concentrate only on "heavy topics", let us point out here that the origins of civilization can be sought in many diverse and surprising ways.
The Weekend Pundit in the "Golden Elixir of Civilization" at
http://weekendpundit.blogmosis.com/lastweekend/005410.html
leads us to the following excellent link
http://www.coopsmaps.com/beer/brewfacts.html
which is a real treat for all beer lovers under the motto, "know what you are drinking (and we urge, in moderation)".
The Weekend Pundit thereby perspicaciously raises the compelling idea that civilization was just the result of the quest for the perfect brew ....
After all, if we look at our modern world through a clear mug, the most prolific beer drinking nations are also technologically among the most advanced, whereas those modern societies that openly reject this beverage, tend to be among the most primitive.
http://www.ephidrina.org/alcohol/history.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/britain/article/0,2763,915637,00.html
Beer - IN MODERATION - can even be healthy, as in Germany
http://www.germany-info.org/relaunch/culture/new/cul_biertag.html
And if you want to know more, here is the beer report to end all beer reports (but - based on the enormous price - you may have to create a consortium to buy it)
http://www.marketresearch.com/map/prod/751075.html
So, in isolating the "technology" that led to man's development, we have to be careful. The run-of-the-mill scholar always presumes that technological advances in "serious matters" forged the path of civilization, whereas our own modern age shows that exactly the reverse is true.
As in the development of computer technology, advances made for purposes of entertainment, comfort, food and drink, games and play may in fact have preceded the application of new technologies to everyday "serious" purposes.
In fact, compared to the technology already found in the various game consoles used by the YOUNGEST of us, for example, the desktop computers used by the ELDEST of us are already Model-T Fords. Frankly, your 5-year old playing his super game-console already has a more advanced technology at his fingertips than what Dad is using in his office.
11:28:56 PM 
|
