#1660
Mentioned in 15 episodes

Against the Grain

A Deep History of the Earliest States
Book • 2017
In 'Against the Grain', James C. Scott argues that the early agrarian states were not the result of a voluntary transition from hunter-gatherer lifestyles, but rather were formed through coercion and violence.

He challenges the conventional narrative that agriculture led to settled communities, civilization, and improved living standards.

Instead, Scott posits that these early states were often hierarchical, plagued by malnutrition and disease, and reliant on slavery.

The book explores the domestication of fire, plants, and animals, and how these processes led to the control of populations and the emergence of states.

It also discusses the tensions between states and non-state peoples, highlighting the adaptability and resilience of nomadic and hunter-gatherer communities.

Mentioned by

Mentioned in 15 episodes

Mentioned by
undefined
Dwarkesh Patel
when discussing the impact of early agriculturalists and their diseases on the displacement of hunter-gatherers.
1,023 snips
Why Rome Actually Fell: Plagues, Slavery, & Ice Age — Kyle Harper
Mentioned by
undefined
Blaise Agüera y Arcas
when discussing agency and the domestication of plants.
111 snips
286 | Blaise Agüera y Arcas on the Emergence of Replication and Computation
Mentioned by
undefined
Spencer Greenberg
in relation to his theory on the impact of agriculture and disease on human history.
78 snips
Human evolution and AI evolution (with Dwarkesh Patel)
Mentioned by
undefined
Rob Wiblin
as a related author whose work challenges conventional narratives of societal development.
37 snips
#168 – Ian Morris on whether deep history says we're heading for an intelligence explosion
Mentioned by
undefined
Rudyard Lynch
as one of the best-written history books he's read.
19 snips
Ancient Europe
Mentioned by the
undefined
Raw Egg Nationalist
, who relies heavily on this book, as a retelling of the agricultural revolution.
16 snips
Eat Like Your Ancestors with Raw Egg Nationalist
Mentioned by
undefined
Katlin Smith
as a cookbook she found helpful in creating recipes for her grain-free baking mixes.
14 snips
Simple Mills: Katlin Smith
Mentioned by John Harris as a book he wrote.
THE LIVESTREAM - We’ve Been Lied To About History
Mentioned by
undefined
Dwarkesh Patel
, referencing the author's insights on the history of agriculture and people's choices to live as foragers.
Charles C. Mann - Americas Before Columbus & Scientific Wizardry
Nämd av Johannes när han diskuterar hur svårt det är att sprida jordbrukstekniken.
Moloch (Del 2): Genom mörkret
Mentioned by
undefined
Omer Moav
in relation to similar arguments made in his work.
Omer Moav on the Emergence of the State
Mentioned by
undefined
Will Self
while discussing domestication in early Mesopotamian civilizations.
Cats vs Dogs, with John Gray and Will Self, Part 2
Mentioned by
undefined
Nick Cheesman
as the book being discussed in the podcast episode.
James C. Scott, "Against the Grain: A Deep History of the Earliest States" (Yale UP, 2017)
Mentioned by
undefined
Scott Alexander
as a prequel to James Scott's "Seeing Like a State", exploring the origins of civilization and the role of wheat.
Book Review: Against the Grain
Mentioned by
undefined
Daniele Bolelli
when discussing a scholar who challenges the assumption that sedentary life is superior to nomadic life.
EPISODE 108: Tattooed Headhunters of the Steppes
Mentioned by
undefined
Bill Courtney
as a book where he discusses the tenets of his philosophy on leadership and service.
"Don't Be A Turkey Person" Michael Knowles & Oscar-Winner Bill Courtney
Mentioned by
undefined
Paul Skallas
in a discussion about the history of civilization.
Paul Skallas on the Lindy Effect and Standing the Test of Time | 'Normal' is the Enemy

The AI-powered Podcast Player

Save insights by tapping your headphones, chat with episodes, discover the best highlights - and more!
App store bannerPlay store banner
Get the app