S.M.’s Reviews > Goliath's Curse: The History and Future of Societal Collapse > Status Update

"One study of twenty-three modern, rich countries found those with higher levels of economic inequality had stronger beliefs that wealth was earned meritocratically."

"What we see... is a pattern. People revolted and abandoned urban settlements as they became increasingly unequal and hierarchical. It looks similar to what happened... with Çatalhöyük, Jenne-Jeno, and Taosi. These weren't just abandonments or rebellions. People were choosing to walk away from what we tend to see as the natural course of history: the adoption of cities, agriculture, and states."

So this first chapter is actually very... hopeful? Optimistic? With a persuasive argument that humans are naturally cooperative and social rather than violent: "The truth is that most of us are not hardwired to hurt or kill each other. We need to be programmed [e.g., by the government/military] to commit murder." (page 33)

(I don't anticipate the optimism to continue)