Why is it that mankind succeeded in evolving to rule the planet? We are not the most adapted species for our environment, as there are many other creatures much built much more robust, that are stronger, more agile and perhaps even more likely candidates?

Some say it was our ability to think with larger brains, others reason it was our socialization skills and still others say it is because god chose man and that he is a divine entity in the image of the creator? Yet before we go to that extreme or the magical theory from the invisible friend, let us discuss how mankind progressed or how we believe he progressed over about the last 30,000 years. And in this discussion I would recommend the over all thoughts on why man came to rule over the surface of the planet and the works of the following authors;

Spencer Wells; "The Journey of Man” ; Brian Sykes "Seven Daughters of Eve” ; Steven Jones "Darwin's Ghost” and well you know I really find Matt Ridley's books of interest in this subject, you should read them all. If you study mankind's exploits and development of culture, civilization and such you can better philosophically argue the points of what does or does not make man unique and thus

I also recommend these books; Jered Diamond; "Collapse - How Societies Choose to Succeed or Fail” and of course; "Guns, Germs and Steel” worthy of mention as well. Now then you should read too; Marvin Harris; "Cows, Pigs, Wars and Witches” The Riddles of Cultures. Indeed when it comes right down to it, I am a good read in my series on the "Flows of All We Know” and the "Flows of Civilization” and you can find most of those here on an online think tank site.

After you are finished with that reading assignment and consider all those scenarios and possibilities then we can discuss it. Until then I sincerely hope you will consider this in 2006.

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