Ch 7 Blogpost #7

Of the 3 possible roads, the road I would most want to travel if I was a woman would be the Silk Road. The Sea Road is automatically knocked out of the competition because being a woman (even a Captain) on a ship full of men is not a good idea. Sea voyages were very long, and it's quite possible for unwanted advances to occur. That leaves the Silk Road and the Sand Road as the remaining two possibilities. It's mentioned in the text that women are mostly valued for their reproduction capabilities the most for the Sand Road... This sounds much like the Sea Road already. Regardless of gender, the sand road has us traveling across the Sahara desert. Natural hazards such as dehydration, snakes, scorpions, etc, already make this road seem more unappealing. The Silk Road seems to be the most appealing due to the need for women in the work force, and the amount of goods specifically targeted at women, for example silk dresses and cotton textiles. Buddhism was also a popular religion among the cities along the Silk Road, and Buddhism is one of the more gender equal religions. These few positives stacked against the numerous negatives of the other two roads put the Silk Road way ahead.

Ch 4 Blogpost #6

How does Confucius understand the role of the supernatural ---- gods, spirits, and ancestors, for example?

Confucian values focused on the idea that humanity can continuously improve itself, and that each new generation should be better than their previous ancestors were. According to the Mandate of Heaven, Emperors were allowed to rule based on their ability to rule efficiently and correctly. Basically, if an Emperor does a good job and society is prospering, they are adhering to the Mandate. Confucian ideas did not deny the existence of spirits or god, but Confucianism did not focus on appeasing invisible gods, but rather on practicality and "reality". However, Confucianism did advise people to "participate in family and state rituals as if the spirits were present" (172 Ways of the World). Essentially, Confucianism has all of its bases covered in case god and the spirits are real. Confucius believed that the afterlife was beyond human understanding and that was his explanation for not focusing more of his philosophy on spirits and god.

Chapter 2 Blogpost #4

What philosophy of life comes across in the Gilgamesh story?

I believe the philosophy of life that comes across in the Gilgamesh story is that one should indulge in the simple pleasures of life while one can. The Gilgamesh story revolves around Enkidu becoming a man by abandoning his feral nature, laying with a woman for several nights, drinking beer and eating bread, and hunting his former animal companions. In this time period, I suppose that was all that there was to life because life was so much simpler. But, to someone looking in, it does seem like the Gilgamesh story proposes that gratification is the end goal and journey of life. Food, entertainment, and sex are the basic needs for a  human being. I find this question ironic because philosophy is usually complex, but the Mesopotamian "philosophy" of life is base to me. I do come thousands of years ahead of their time though.

Ch 8 China Blogpost

The Classical China Expansion was indeed a renaissance that was just as significant as the renaissance in Europe. Firstly, we need to ensure that this classical expansion was a renaissance. According to Strayer, ""Culturally, this era has been regarded as a 'golden age' of arts and literature, setting standards of excellence in poetry, landscape painting, and ceramics." (367 Ways of the World). The European renaissance is often attributed to advancing technology and art, and from the book we can apply these same characteristics to China.

China is a superpower today, and it's important to look into the past and see how that superpower came to be today. It all boils down to education. Strayer notes on page 368  that education standards and sophisticated anti-cheating methods were enacted. The crux of a renaissance comes with intelligent thought process, and an advanced educational system is definitely the method to achieve greatness. However, it is also mentioned that "a substantial percentage of official positions went to the sons of the privileged, even if they had not passed the exams." (369 Ways of the World). This could count as evidence against the importance of the Chinese "renaissance", since they are still somewhat stuck in their high born ways.

Important inventions originated in China, such as the world's first printed books. These books included content pertaining to agriculture, religion, mathematics, and medicine. This definitely sounds like a golden age/renaissance, and the importance of printed books cannot be overstated. Mass production of knowledge leads to a more education, sophisticated, and dominant society.

A counter to this Chinese expansion being important is the fact that women were still treated as bargaining chips and objectified. Foot binding was a prevalent dis-pleasantry for the higher class female. The same old Confucian tradition influenced the role of women being small and insignificant compared to her sons, husband, and father.

Overall I belive it's true that this Chinese renaissance was just as important as the European one, but because we live in the west we tend to focus on the west.

Chapter 9 Blog Post

Considering the recent events in Paris, I wasn't too excited to read this chapter. I understand that ISIS does not represent all Muslims, but I found this chapter to be a classic case of "too soon". That being said, I did learn a few things. I did not know that Islam originally started with many deities and gradually witted down to one all powerful god (Allah). I also did not know that Muslim means "one who submits". I'm unsure if that is just a rough translation or if it's precise, because if it is precise wouldn't that mean that the word Muslim can be used in context outside of religion?

I found it humorous that the Quran's message calls out all of the other religions for deviating from what Muhammad perceive's as the correct path. The points that it makes about the other religions are valid from an analytical standpoint, but in doing so it just sounds like the typical "my religion is right and yours is wrong" statement. The problem I face with having any faith is that in the past and present we mostly hear about the negative parts of religion. Killing in the name of an invisible god would sound like schizophrenia to a psychologist. This reminds me of one of my favorite quotes:

Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able to?
Then he is not omnipotent.
Is he able, but not willing?
Then he is malevolent?
Is he both able and willing?
Then whence cometh evil?
Is he neither able nor willing?
Then why call him God?

-Epicurus

Ch 10 The Worlds of Christendom Blog Post

I suppose it makes sense that in the Middle East some local Muslim rulers were accepting of the Christian faith and others were not. Considering the time period, it's pretty interesting to read that some just taxed people of different faith as opposed to becoming violent. However, much like the U.S.'s birth, I could see this way of accepting another's religion ending badly.

It appears Egpyt also went this route; followers of the christian faith were second class citizens but protected because they paid more. To someone who firmly believe in Christianity, I wonder if they just considered it a tithe? Of course, religion and politics mixed quite a lot back then (and it still does today, even in America). Off topic, but it's always bothered me that the president of the U.S. is sworn in with a hand on the bible instead of the constitution, because the bible does not dictate the president's actions.

Ch 6 African Blog Post

Focusing on the Americas was the more obvious choice, but I decided to just read the African portion of this chapter. I've heard from people in different societies that America has a very skewed view of Africa. We think that it's mostly a disease ridden, warlord styled continent. And maybe it was, in the past. Reading this chapter will probably not break me out of my mold, but it's important to go outside of my comfort zone, so I am going to read the African portion of this chapter.

Typically when we think of an uncivilized area, we think of a lack of roads, heavy forests, wild animals lurking about every corner. Based off of this, Africa fits this description. Strayer mentions that the main difference between the Americas and Africa at this point in time was that Africa is bisected by the equator, so there is a tropical climate. Africa seems to have a predisposition of appearing uncivilized due to its nature and how it conflicts with western values.

It was interesting to read that a certain Kingdom of Meroe was governed by women on at least 10 occasions (again according to Strayer). Despite the outward appearance of being a "savage land", early African civilizations have some semblance of progressive ideals.

Chapter 3 Blogpost #5

I particularly enjoyed reading that when a Persian king dies, everyone was expected to shave their hair, cut the manes of horses short, and extinguish sacred fires. This sends a message to me that their empire had a strong community. This makes me think about our own community, and question whether it's as strong. If Obama was assassinated today, I do think a fair number of people would put their American flags out in front of their houses, but this does not compare to the dedication of the Persian Empire in my opinion. As our population grows, I believe our community weakens.

Once I read about the city-states of Greece, I immediately thought of America. "Each of these city-states was fiercely independent and in frequent conflict with its neighbors, yet they had much in common, speaking the same language and worshiping the same gods." (124 Strayer). While fights between states are not nearly as prevalent now, they were around the time of the civil war. When the city-states of Greece suspended fighting to watch the Olympic games, it made me think about how wars were put on hold during the winter because the conditions were miserable for everyone to fight in. While the U.S. is not the same as Greece, there are many parallels to draw from.

The term "plebians" in the book refers to a poor class of Roman citizens. On the internet
I find many people today using this term toward those they are arguing with. This is a minor example, but there's so many things Americans borrow from the Romans/Greeks. I understand why the more cynical people of our society believe our country will collapse from within as they did.

Chapter 2 Blog Post #3

At this point I'm only on page 66 of this chapter and I can already tell there's a problem with digging into history this old. The text says that "Unlike its Middle Eastern counterparts, the Indus Valley civilization apparently generated no palaces, temples, elaborate graves, kings, or warrior classes." (66 Ways of the World). It seems that a lot of our knowledge about the first civilization derives from our lack of evidence. I am aware that it's very hard to find ancient artifacts that can provide us a plethora of information at this point, but I don't think it wise to base knowledge on lack of evidence. There is that old saying "absence of evidence is not evidence of absence".

It makes sense that early civilizations were all tied to agriculture. Food, water, and shelter are all basic needs on Maslowe's Hierarchy of Needs and if there's one location that can provide all of that, why would anyone leave? They wouldn't. I like that the book moves onto "The Erosion of Equality" after mentioning the gathering of people into cities. It makes sense that once there are a bunch of people living together they would compare socioeconomic status. It's an unfortunate reality of being an urban dweller.

Strayer then comes to the topic about how patriarchy came to be. He assumes that society is to blame because prior to large civilizations men and women were regarded as equal. It's a tough topic to think about at times, and it does make me wonder what nature had truly intended. I am all for equality between men and women, but in other animals there isn't always such equality. Female Black Widows consume their mate after they reproduce. Lionesses do most of the hunting. Queen Bees are the head of the hive. Elephant herds are often led by the largest and oldest female. There are plenty of examples where women are in charge in the natural order of things. I think equality is an ideal and something to strive for, and I would prefer it above inequality of course, but these occurrences in nature make me wonder what the dynamic for humans was meant to be.

Reading Blog Post #3 Claudius vs Xinchen

Based off of the material available, I think that Xinchen was a better leader than Claudius. There is no doubt that Claudius was a great contributor by finishing the drainage canal of Lake Fucine and the aqueduct he had built, but it's also important to look at the reasons why he took on these big projects. It is mentioned in the excerpt that "He made the attempt on the Fucine Lake as much in the hope of gain as of glory." There's no doubt that everyone enjoys recognition and the completion of great feats, but the specific mentioning of this makes Claudius seem like a lesser person. Also, toward the end of the excerpt is it mentioned that he had "30,00 men at work all the time without interruption." Without specifics, I am assuming that this means he worked these men very hard with few breaks. This sounds like a man who is more interested in glory and accomplishing tasks. His people gained from these tasks of course, but it doesn't seem like it is his focus.

Xinchen on the other hand left a "man of the people" impression on me. Reading that he enjoyed farming like the average person and often went in and out of villages and visited them makes him seem like a superior leader than Claudius. I can imagine a powerful Emperor ordering people to do great deeds in his name for Claudius, and I can imagine a well rounded everyday man for Xinchen who just happens to be in a higher position. Xinchen's accomplishments are not as great in comparison, but in terms of leadership qualities he is above Claudius. I also like that he set up legislation in regards to the distribution of water.

Reading Blog Post #2 Nisa

Based off of what I've read about the Paleolithic people, I think Nisa's account is accurate and aligned with what history states. Nisa seemed to have a simple life and gained great pleasure over simple things like her husband bringing home dinner. While we still gain intense pleasure from satiating our hunger, due to intensification we require more abstract flavors and methods of cooking to achieve the same happiness that Nisa would get (in my opinion).  I found it ironic that she felt that her 4th husbamd Besa was odd because he wanted to make love every night. I feel that a lot of people are like that nowadays if they are truly in love with their partner (at least in the early stages). I enjoyed reading that Nisa rated her children, mother, and father equal in terms of love. The death of any of these family members can cause an equal amount of trauma, which makes Nisa's opnion seem credible. To be honest, I felt that she wasn't descriptive enough about how her life was. The Marriage and Loss section combined was about 3 times as long as the Life in the Bush section.

Reading Blog Post #1

In our first reading assignment, a few key concepts stuck out to me that I wanted to ponder about further. First and foremost is the rapid disappearance of the Clovis culture. The book brings up the two viewpoints of how this might have happened; did the Clovis people die out due to dry climate or did they hunt the wooly mammoth to extinction? It's common knowledge that when one species goes extinct it can dramatically affect all surrounding species, especially if one is predator and the other is prey. However, I disagree with the viewpoint that the Clovis people hunted the wooly mammoth to extinction. Throughout this week's readings it's mentioned that we originated in Africa and then our early ancestors migrated across the many continents. If the Colvis people's primary food source had disappeared, could they not have just migrated to another location? The next group of people mentioned in the book hunt on the great plains, which makes me wonder why the Clovis people didn't just try to move to a new location. I suppose we will never know for sure.

Another concept that stood out to me was the lack of desire in the hunter/gatherer people of Australia for material goods that they did not view as essential for survival. They only took what they needed from the land and were perfectly happy with that. When I read segments like these it makes me pessimistic about our current society, because we take a lot more than we need to survive. I know that in today's society, for example, I need a computer to be typing out this very blog post in order to achieve a decent grade, but I don't truly need this computer to survive. Greed and desire were perhaps less prevalent in these Australian hunter/gatherers, which is why Captain James Cook in 1770 was perplexed.

This is my first blog post. Exciting stuff.