In 'War Before Civilization', Lawrence H. Keeley challenges the notion that prehistoric societies were peaceful, presenting evidence of frequent and deadly warfare in ancient cultures. He argues that such violence was not introduced by civilization but was a common feature of human societies throughout history. Keeley's work draws on archaeological findings and historical accounts to illustrate the intensity and frequency of prehistoric warfare.
In this book, Steven Pinker presents a detailed argument that violence has significantly decreased over the course of human history. He uses extensive data and statistical analysis to demonstrate this decline in various domains, including military conflict, homicide, genocide, torture, and the treatment of children, homosexuals, animals, and racial and ethnic minorities. Pinker identifies four key human motivations – empathy, self-control, the moral sense, and reason – as the 'better angels' that have oriented humans away from violence and towards cooperation and altruism. He also discusses historical forces such as the rise of the state (which he terms 'Leviathan'), the spread of commerce, the growth of feminist values, and the expansion of cosmopolitanism, which have contributed to this decline in violence[1][4][5].
Fuchsia Dunlop's "Shark's Fin and Sichuan Pepper" is a captivating journey into the world of Chinese cuisine, offering a blend of personal narrative and culinary exploration. Dunlop recounts her experiences learning to cook in China, sharing insights into the country's rich culinary traditions and the cultural significance of food. She delves into the history and preparation of various dishes, highlighting the unique flavors and techniques that define Chinese cooking. The book is not only a culinary guide but also a cultural exploration, offering a glimpse into the lives and customs of the people who create and consume these dishes. Dunlop's engaging writing style and personal anecdotes make this book a delightful read for both food enthusiasts and those interested in Chinese culture.
And now for something completely different…
Razib Khan, beyond being a fine friend of pod, is an excellent genetic historian. He’s written a fascinating article about how Europe once had a burgeoning civilization…thousands of years before history as we know it began. We just haven’t understood much about a once thriving continent because these societies were largely wiped out by the people who became “Europeans”. These revelations turn a lot of conventional historical wisdom about ancient history on its head.
Quoting Razib:
Neolithic Europe was one of Eurasia’s most advanced regions 5,000 years ago, nearly on par with the Near East, matching India and surpassing China in material terms. In some domains, like gold-work, Europe was the pioneer. We may have forgotten this Europe, but it was hardly a backwater. It was a central engine of world civilization 5,000 years ago.
Through the magic of modern technology, we’re getting new insights into this lost world. With increasing clarity, we’re also seeing just how brutal human life was in pre modernity. It’s not sports or media exactly, but I just had to discuss this all with Razib. I believe it’s important information and I can’t stop thinking about it.
Topics include:
* Where everybody came from
* How nobody is really from anywhere
Thanks for reading House of Strauss! This post is public so feel free to share it.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit
www.houseofstrauss.com/subscribe
House of Strauss 
