

#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.
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 

when discussing the impact of early agriculturalists and their diseases on the displacement of hunter-gatherers.


Dwarkesh Patel

1,023 snips
Why Rome Actually Fell: Plagues, Slavery, & Ice Age — Kyle Harper
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

when discussing agency and the domestication of plants.

Blaise Agüera y Arcas

111 snips
286 | Blaise Agüera y Arcas on the Emergence of Replication and Computation
Mentioned by 

in relation to his theory on the impact of agriculture and disease on human history.


Spencer Greenberg

78 snips
Human evolution and AI evolution (with Dwarkesh Patel)
Mentioned by 

as a related author whose work challenges conventional narratives of societal development.


Rob Wiblin

37 snips
#168 – Ian Morris on whether deep history says we're heading for an intelligence explosion
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

as one of the best-written history books he's read.

Rudyard Lynch

19 snips
Ancient Europe
Mentioned by the 

, who relies heavily on this book, as a retelling of the agricultural revolution.


Raw Egg Nationalist

16 snips
Eat Like Your Ancestors with Raw Egg Nationalist
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

as a cookbook she found helpful in creating recipes for her grain-free baking mixes.

Katlin Smith

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 

, referencing the author's insights on the history of agriculture and people's choices to live as foragers.


Dwarkesh Patel

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 

in relation to similar arguments made in his work.


Omer Moav

Omer Moav on the Emergence of the State
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

while discussing domestication in early Mesopotamian civilizations.

Will Self

Cats vs Dogs, with John Gray and Will Self, Part 2
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

as the book being discussed in the podcast episode.

Nick Cheesman

James C. Scott, "Against the Grain: A Deep History of the Earliest States" (Yale UP, 2017)
Mentioned by 

as a prequel to James Scott's "Seeing Like a State", exploring the origins of civilization and the role of wheat.


Scott Alexander

Book Review: Against the Grain
Mentioned by 

when discussing a scholar who challenges the assumption that sedentary life is superior to nomadic life.


Daniele Bolelli

EPISODE 108: Tattooed Headhunters of the Steppes
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

as a book where he discusses the tenets of his philosophy on leadership and service.

Bill Courtney

"Don't Be A Turkey Person" Michael Knowles & Oscar-Winner Bill Courtney
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

in a discussion about the history of civilization.

Paul Skallas

Paul Skallas on the Lindy Effect and Standing the Test of Time | 'Normal' is the Enemy