Imagine for a moment if you will a re-purposed brick school building. Decrepit, malodorous, with bars on the windows. Stale cigarette smoke and medical disinfectant tinge the air. Rows and rows of uncomfortable cots. Now add a dozen or so males aged twenty - sixty. Throw in a sprinkling of orderlies and nurses and you have an idea of the detox facility I found myself in a decade ago. I have not had a drop of alcohol since then.
My journey to sobriety is not unique by any stretch of the imagination. While my experiences are quite personal, they echo a story that is familiar to anyone with a substance abuse problem. For a full decade of my life, my only relationship was with booze.
I am a functional alcoholic. That just means I was able to limit my consumption to non-work hours and could hold a job. The restaurant business makes for perfect hours. Get up at the crack of noon, make it to work (sometimes hung over, but usually not), work till 10 or so and then hit the bar.
I would not get black out drunk every night, but it was a virtual guarantee that I would have at least six drinks. The first beer was usually down within a minute or two and on particularly stressful nights it would be gone in five seconds. Several beers would follow. Most nights the drinking would continue with mixed drinks and/or shots. This was my life five nights (minimum) a week.
At what point did I know I was an alcoholic you may ask? Well Hindsight being what it is, I think I can say from the moment I had my first drink I knew it was going to be a problem. I am constitutionally incapable of having just one. I am an alcoholic. I do not understand people that have one drink. I do not understand people who say they have had enough. How can you have enough of feeling like this? That being said, about three years prior to my entry into the detox facility I knew that the life I was living could only end one of two ways, dead or sobriety. Having been raised by a father who found soberity I knew it was an option, I just did not know how to reach that point, but I asked.
My father, in his wisdom, provided me with all the information I needed and offered to go to AA meetings with me. But he did not force the issue. Though I am sure he could see the barely contained pain in my eyes when I asked him, he made no demands. Because he knew. He knew I had to be ready.I was not quite to the breaking point yet, I could try the sober path, but it would not likely last long. I needed to hit rock bottom, before I could climb back up a different person.
And thus began a tortuous road to redemption. I remember that Sept 11, 2001 was a Tuesday, not because of the tragedy that day, but because I found out the night before a friend of mine died while driving intoxicated and I proceeded to get wasted while watching Monday night football. I had given her a ride home, yet she decided to try and make last call...somewhere. Add survivor's guilt into an already messed up psyche, pile on a few other of life's less than pleasant surprises over the course of the next few months and I became a completely messed up shamble. Blackouts became more frequent. Outwardly I wore a pleasant mask, inside I was dying a little more every day.
Which brings us to Friday, February the thirteenth, 2004. I drank far less than usual that night. I did not get done with work until 10. I only had a few beers and a couple of drinks, no shots because I knew the next day was going to be busy so I was taking it easy. A drinking buddy of mine needed a ride home, a perfect reason for me to logic my way out of the bar. Of course when I was pulled over by one of Carver County's finest I blew a .223 BAC.
Which resulted in my stay at detox.
Why bring any of this up? Because at detox is where it happened. A moment of clarity. After being arrested and processed and driven out to Hastings I had pretty much sobered up. A couple of hours sleep on an uncomfortable cot. After a cup of terrible coffee and powdered egg breakfast, all that was left was me and my thoughts. Then it hit me, that one perfect moment where everything made sense. Time becomes non-linear, I had the questions and answers to everything. I dare say it was a touch of the divine. No amount of feeble wordsmithing can come close to describing it.
Now if you know me, you know that I am in no way religious. Zero, zip, nada, but spiritual yes. After that all too brief of a moment, I resolved to change. I may not have faith in the Christian trinity, or Allah, or Buddha, or any off the other hundreds of gods we human beings have given supplication too over the centuries, but I HAD seen the results of what that belief could do for both good and evil. You know who I picked as inspiration? Abraham Lincoln. No Joke. Ole' Abe. His belief in divine providence basically held together the nation during the American Civil War. Of course the South proclaimed God on their side as well, but I digress.
My resolve was quickly tested when there was a mandatory group session. A couple of chemical dependency counselors, a dozen or so groggy, hungover fellow detainees and me in a classroom filled with chairs and AA literature. One of the counselors asked, "who here is an alcoholic?" I was the only person who raised a hand. I looked around the room a bit and spouted, "guys we're wearing pajamas and booty socks in detox on valentines day. I know I got a problem!"
Two days in detox, two days in jail, and out on bail and I was ready to be sober! Yeah, not easy. In any way shape or form. In fact it sucked. But I knew that the alternative was worse. My father took me to my first AA meeting. And my second. And my third. Introduced me to the program. I knew I had found a good place to be. I found a sponsor (Thanks Steve!), worked the steps, attended my out patient program. I was doing it!
Yet as anyone who has had to undergo significant change in their life will tell you, it was not simple or painless. There is a reason the relapse rate hovers around 90% over the course of the first four years. My sponsor, got on and fell off the wagon twelve times before he finally remained sober. And he still is to this day. I consider myself lucky that once I made the decision to remain alcohol free I have remained so.
Does the AA program work for everyone? Dunno I'm not everyone. All I know is it got me going down the right path. Am I willing to help any alcoholic that asks for help? Hells yes! But it comes with a caveat, they have to want to be helped. My dad taught me that. I think of it thusly, me telling someone to quit drinking is not going to accomplish a damn thing, it is a lot like the Pope telling you NOT to be catholic. In fact all I can really do is share my story and hope they see that there is another way to live life.
Tonight I celebrated my ten year sober anniversary with friends, family and my fiance. It is an evening I could never had dared to imagine ten years and one day earlier. In fact at times I look at it from a solipsism point of view and wonder if I am still in that moment of clarity.
I have not reached this point on my own. Without the support of my family and friends I would have devolved back into a drunken stupor long ago. It is not personal willpower that has carried the day, but the radiant power I draw from those around me, those who believe in me, even when I do not.
Like most things, sobriety has become easier with time and practice. I must however remain ever vigilant. The beast may presently be caged, but it still rattles the chains from time to time just to remind me that it is never truly conquered, only held at bay for another day. Sometimes it tries the subtle approach, whispering remembrances of the fun times. Sometimes it uses stress and anger as leverage on the bars. Other times it uses grief as a means of unlocking the door. Every so often it tries the random daydream approach, hoping to catch me in a moment of weakness.
But Sober I remain. I will continue to do so. At least for today, because I can only take them one day at a time.
I'd like to thank everyone that has ever had a kind word to say when I was feeling low. You know who you are.
And to that handful of people who doubted me....HaHa, jokes on you fools, though if you ever decide to leave that bar stool, I'll be more than willing to help if I can.
And yes, I still thank the police officer that pulled me over every time I see him.
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Blue Magic Tattoo
Greetings and Salutations.
Welcome to another edition of the Echo Outpost. This time I promise I wont delve into school work, nor other boring mix.
Instead I am writing about a subject that many people have experience with.
Tattoos
These aren't your Grandpops tattoos I'm talking about. Probably not your Father's either. Not so very long ago in the scheme of things, tattoos were for sailors, bikers, criminals, and other cultural outsiders. In case you haven't noticed, this is not the way of things anymore.
Depending on who's poll numbers you look at, between 14%-16% of the American population has at least one tattoo.
For those of you who don't feel like doing the math and looking up census data don't worry, I crunched some numbers and came up with approximately 44 million on the low side and 50 million on the high end. So out of a population of 308 million at least 44 million of us are carrying around some sort of tattoo. Broken down by age groups, Thirty-six percent of those ages 18 to 25, and 40 percent of those ages 26 to 40, have at least one tattoo... which brings us to the next question
Why do people get tattoos?
Silly question.
Not a stoopid question, but a silly one.
No single answer is going to adequately address the reason for the upsurge in tattoos and their general acceptance by "normal" society.
A better question would be, "why would I (meaning you) get a tattoo?" If you cannot answer this question, then you probably shouldn't get one.
Me. I love the art. And the endorphins. And the sound the needle makes. And, well you get the picture.
Sure, over time mine may fade or look funny as I begin to age and my skin loses its elasticity. (no wise cracks about my gray hair). But each one is mine, I own it, I wear them daily. If I had the money I'd be covered with them.
Anyways, I bring up tattoos because this past weekend I had one of those life experiences that will stay with me until the day I shuffle lose this mortal coil.The story begins a few months ago when my Best Friend Britta asked me if I would help her with her husbands Birthday party. Maybe I volunteered, anyways not important. We talked about making it a surprise party, decided against it, planned on doing a taco bar on May 5th to coincide with his birthday and Cinco-de-Mayo. Well it turns out Bob had a Better Idea. Tattoos!
Bob knew of a great local artist and wanted to make it an evening of fun. I had a rough idea of what I wanted. Turned out my girlfriend did too. So We were in. We had approximately a week to get our ideas to Amelia at Blue Magic Tattoo. I was giddy just thinking about it.
So at 3 o'clock on Saturday afternoon, 6 of us sauntered inside the shop. Amy was finishing up with a client and would be with us shortly. The first thing we did was the paper work. Yep, bureaucratic hoops to jump through. Like I said these aint your Grandpops tattoos anymore. Nothing Serious, just the usual Yes I am over the age of 18, yes I know there are risks, no I wont blame the shop should it get infected, etc.etc.
The paper work was handled by Matt the Apprentice. That's not his nickname, that is his position. Tattooing is one of the few professions still handed down the old school way. Matt is the shop minion. Anything that needs doing like bathroom cleaning, maintenance, taking out the garbage, dealing with customers and walk-ins falls on his shoulders. In talking with him, I learned that he had more than enough hours under MN state law to qualify for his own license, but was waiting for Amy to tell him he was ready to go out on his own. That's old school dedication. (He did a cover up for a lady while we were there that was excellent)
Anyways once the paper work was out of the way Amy came and sat with us and showed us the designs she had come up with. Needless to say they were spot on. A few minor details needed to be worked out, but that was more a case of sizing than anything else.
First up was Britta, who wanted to fix a tattoo she had received when she was much younger. One of those tattooing at the kitchen table type. It was a set stars outlined on her left foot. They did not look bad in my opinion (Not great either), but in her words she wanted them to look "more girly" Amy and Britta sat down and talked it over for a good twenty-thirty minutes. The tattooing took another hour and a half, if not longer (I was kind of distracted because at this point we had pizza delivered to the shop). Anyways, The end result was AMAZING. Amy had taken a rather nondescript tattoo done by another artist and transformed it into what may have been the best work of the night (probably the most difficult from my point of view).
Next up on the table was Britta's sister Summer. Summer already had a tattoo of her of her son's name and birthday on her leg and she wanted to add to it, make it an even more special reminder of the most important male in her life.
I observed a bit more closely as Amy applied this tattoo. Working with celerity and deftness, this one took shape relatively quickly. The quality of this work is in the depth of its colors and shading. Just when I thought it was done and looking Awesome, Amy broke out the white ink and did some highlighting. It may be difficult to see in a photograph but the accents she added really made the tattoo pop. It's rather Zazzy in my humble opinion.
Next up was my girlfriend Sara, who choose to do a tattoo she had been thinking about for a number of years. In memory of her grandfather and his battles with cancer including the leukemia that finally claimed him, she had found a number of examples online of what she would like. With orange being the designated color of the leukemia ribbon and yellow representing cancer in general, she selected a design very reminiscent of faerie/butter fly wings. Amy further reinforced this concept by the addition of the antennae and recommend some subtle shading. The final product is an excellent memorial to the grandfather she continues to love dearly.
After the three ladies had finished laying on the table to receive their tats, I was the first to get to sit in a chair. I had provided Amy with several images of Mjolnir, as well as the approximate dimensions of the area I wished to get the tat. The work she produced not only looked awesome, but fit the location perfectly. Even though it was starting to get late in the night (9ish), Amy took her time in applying the stencil and making sure it lined up correctly. Whilst in the chair, I chatted with Amy about the state regulations and such. I found it interesting that the tattoo business is regulated very much like the restaurant business. My tattoo took just under an hour from start to finish and turned out better than I had imagined.
Next up was Stubby, a tattoo virgin. He chose to get the word "Justified" in Old English Font, tattooed down his calf. Unfortunately I do not have a picture of this one, but it turned out just as excellent as the rest. From The sizing of the letters to the length, it fit perfectly on his calf, as if it had always belonged there.
At this point it was 1130 at night and Bob was up. Unfortunately, Bob and Britta's babysitter was only on the clock until midnight so I ran Britta home while Bob climbed into the chair. The finished product was once again, clearly the work of an absolute professional.
Needless to say we shared an experience that I for one will never forget (kinda difficult when you have a permanent reminder). From sitting around eating pizza to watching Summer's leg twitch to the near constant electric buzz it was a great way to spend an evening. So much so that I'm thinking it's a great idea for my own birthday celebration(s).
If you are considering a tattoo or possibly just want to talk to a professional if you are unsure, then I recommend going to Blue Magic Tattoo without hesitation. Not only are the artists skilled professionals, but they are friendly and accommodating. I did not get a chance to meet T.J., but anyone with a kick ass hand painted mural of the Joker on the wall and a Frank Miller Art book on the shelf has be awesome right?
Mix
Welcome to another edition of the Echo Outpost. This time I promise I wont delve into school work, nor other boring mix.
Instead I am writing about a subject that many people have experience with.
Tattoos
These aren't your Grandpops tattoos I'm talking about. Probably not your Father's either. Not so very long ago in the scheme of things, tattoos were for sailors, bikers, criminals, and other cultural outsiders. In case you haven't noticed, this is not the way of things anymore.
Depending on who's poll numbers you look at, between 14%-16% of the American population has at least one tattoo.
For those of you who don't feel like doing the math and looking up census data don't worry, I crunched some numbers and came up with approximately 44 million on the low side and 50 million on the high end. So out of a population of 308 million at least 44 million of us are carrying around some sort of tattoo. Broken down by age groups, Thirty-six percent of those ages 18 to 25, and 40 percent of those ages 26 to 40, have at least one tattoo... which brings us to the next question
Why do people get tattoos?
Silly question.
Not a stoopid question, but a silly one.
No single answer is going to adequately address the reason for the upsurge in tattoos and their general acceptance by "normal" society.
A better question would be, "why would I (meaning you) get a tattoo?" If you cannot answer this question, then you probably shouldn't get one.
Me. I love the art. And the endorphins. And the sound the needle makes. And, well you get the picture.
Sure, over time mine may fade or look funny as I begin to age and my skin loses its elasticity. (no wise cracks about my gray hair). But each one is mine, I own it, I wear them daily. If I had the money I'd be covered with them.
Anyways, I bring up tattoos because this past weekend I had one of those life experiences that will stay with me until the day I shuffle lose this mortal coil.The story begins a few months ago when my Best Friend Britta asked me if I would help her with her husbands Birthday party. Maybe I volunteered, anyways not important. We talked about making it a surprise party, decided against it, planned on doing a taco bar on May 5th to coincide with his birthday and Cinco-de-Mayo. Well it turns out Bob had a Better Idea. Tattoos!
Bob knew of a great local artist and wanted to make it an evening of fun. I had a rough idea of what I wanted. Turned out my girlfriend did too. So We were in. We had approximately a week to get our ideas to Amelia at Blue Magic Tattoo. I was giddy just thinking about it.
So at 3 o'clock on Saturday afternoon, 6 of us sauntered inside the shop. Amy was finishing up with a client and would be with us shortly. The first thing we did was the paper work. Yep, bureaucratic hoops to jump through. Like I said these aint your Grandpops tattoos anymore. Nothing Serious, just the usual Yes I am over the age of 18, yes I know there are risks, no I wont blame the shop should it get infected, etc.etc.
The paper work was handled by Matt the Apprentice. That's not his nickname, that is his position. Tattooing is one of the few professions still handed down the old school way. Matt is the shop minion. Anything that needs doing like bathroom cleaning, maintenance, taking out the garbage, dealing with customers and walk-ins falls on his shoulders. In talking with him, I learned that he had more than enough hours under MN state law to qualify for his own license, but was waiting for Amy to tell him he was ready to go out on his own. That's old school dedication. (He did a cover up for a lady while we were there that was excellent)
Anyways once the paper work was out of the way Amy came and sat with us and showed us the designs she had come up with. Needless to say they were spot on. A few minor details needed to be worked out, but that was more a case of sizing than anything else.
First up was Britta, who wanted to fix a tattoo she had received when she was much younger. One of those tattooing at the kitchen table type. It was a set stars outlined on her left foot. They did not look bad in my opinion (Not great either), but in her words she wanted them to look "more girly" Amy and Britta sat down and talked it over for a good twenty-thirty minutes. The tattooing took another hour and a half, if not longer (I was kind of distracted because at this point we had pizza delivered to the shop). Anyways, The end result was AMAZING. Amy had taken a rather nondescript tattoo done by another artist and transformed it into what may have been the best work of the night (probably the most difficult from my point of view).
I observed a bit more closely as Amy applied this tattoo. Working with celerity and deftness, this one took shape relatively quickly. The quality of this work is in the depth of its colors and shading. Just when I thought it was done and looking Awesome, Amy broke out the white ink and did some highlighting. It may be difficult to see in a photograph but the accents she added really made the tattoo pop. It's rather Zazzy in my humble opinion.
 |
| I asked if she picked the time at random, displaying my maleness. It was the time Landon was born. DUH! |
Next up was my girlfriend Sara, who choose to do a tattoo she had been thinking about for a number of years. In memory of her grandfather and his battles with cancer including the leukemia that finally claimed him, she had found a number of examples online of what she would like. With orange being the designated color of the leukemia ribbon and yellow representing cancer in general, she selected a design very reminiscent of faerie/butter fly wings. Amy further reinforced this concept by the addition of the antennae and recommend some subtle shading. The final product is an excellent memorial to the grandfather she continues to love dearly.
 |
| As the tat heals, the colors will better settle into their respective orange and yellows |
Next up was Stubby, a tattoo virgin. He chose to get the word "Justified" in Old English Font, tattooed down his calf. Unfortunately I do not have a picture of this one, but it turned out just as excellent as the rest. From The sizing of the letters to the length, it fit perfectly on his calf, as if it had always belonged there.
At this point it was 1130 at night and Bob was up. Unfortunately, Bob and Britta's babysitter was only on the clock until midnight so I ran Britta home while Bob climbed into the chair. The finished product was once again, clearly the work of an absolute professional.
Needless to say we shared an experience that I for one will never forget (kinda difficult when you have a permanent reminder). From sitting around eating pizza to watching Summer's leg twitch to the near constant electric buzz it was a great way to spend an evening. So much so that I'm thinking it's a great idea for my own birthday celebration(s).
If you are considering a tattoo or possibly just want to talk to a professional if you are unsure, then I recommend going to Blue Magic Tattoo without hesitation. Not only are the artists skilled professionals, but they are friendly and accommodating. I did not get a chance to meet T.J., but anyone with a kick ass hand painted mural of the Joker on the wall and a Frank Miller Art book on the shelf has be awesome right?
Mix
Monday, January 16, 2012
Been a long time
Been a while since ive actually posted anything, though there are numerous drafts I could revise and post. Instead you get another school paper. Enjoy!
Moral Reform
An outgrowth of evangelical Protestantism, the moral reform movement of the early 1800’s marked one of American women’s first entries into the field of politics and public social life. As an attempt to change morality, it may have ultimately failed, but the movement remains important for the changes it wrought for women as a whole.
The first female associations were primarily church based. As this was one of the few social outlets allowed women during the era, it should come as no surprise that they multiplied quickly and developed various goals. Activism rose within urban areas of the Northeast and Midwest. As the population became increasingly urbanized, the challenges faced by the associations became more immediate as poverty and vice increased. Intending to cure society’s ills, moral activists sought to combat these trends by running various institutions for the poor and propagating the idea of raising children to be pious and moral.
The moral reform movement was simultaneously a benevolent organization and a militant pressure group (Woloch, 2006, p.171). Their primary goal was to establish a single standard of sexual morality upon all Americans, female and male. Teaching mores of behavior to children at home was fully within the women’s sphere of the time, the movement took their beliefs one-step further by putting their ideas into public action.
The moral activists sought to end prostitution and to punish seducers and adulterers (Woloch, p. 172). Activists would visit almshouses and jails to speak to the “fallen” women. Campaigns in which women would pray and sing hymns at brothels occurred. Reformers lobbied state legislatures. Homes and institutions were established were women could find refuge and support.
With its limited scope, the moral reform movement quickly fractured. The Utica society fell apart over the issue of whether or not it was “proper” to hold a public discussion regarding sexual matters (Woloch, p. 174). The societal limits placed upon women were not yet sufficiently loosened to allow for an open, public exchange of ideas on sexual topics. Within a decade, the Moral Reform movement was losing steam, but another contemporary movement was gaining ground and putting women into leadership roles. The abolition of slavery quickly became the means by which women’s associations and women themselves would enter into public politics.
The double standard in regards to sexual behavior is still present in society today, though to a much lesser extent than the 19th century. The criminal and social stigma attached to prostitution remains. A recent article by the New York Times profiled Barbara Terry, a 52-year-old prostitute who has spent most of her adult life in the sex trade. Ms. Terry has raised four children as a single mother. She has been arrested numerous times over her career, often-spending days in jail. Her customers can be anyone: lawyers, city workers, husbands, and fathers. Ms. Terry has never worked for a pimp, noting that, “I never did drugs and never worked for a pimp for protection. What protection? If I’m in someone’s car, about to die, ain’t no pimp in there helping me” (Kilgannon).
Ms. Terry has shown younger workers the means of survival on the streets. She credits God for her own survival. Ms. Terry’s children, two of whom she put through college, beg her to get off the street, yet she admits she is addicted to the stimulation of street life. Ms. Terry began her career as a sex worker at the age of twenty-one, when her husband left her with two children to support. Ms. Terry’s knowledge about prostitution came from television. She knew about a local neighborhood where prostitutes gathered and went out on her own volition. In a profession often regarded as synonymous with abuse, drugs, and violence, Ms. Terry considers herself to be a survivor noting, “Most women don’t make it to my age out here” (Kilgannon).
Although the sexual customs of American society have changed considerably in the past 200 hundred years, it is safe to say that the moral reformers of the 1830’s would find Ms. Terry’s story eerily familiar. The moral reformers attempts at changing morality may have been unsuccessful, but it helped set the stage for the increasing role of women in public life.
References
Kilgannon, C. (2011, December 30). At 52, still working the streets. The New York Times. Retrieved January 14, 2012 from http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/01/nyregion/at-52-a-prostitute-still-working-the-streets.html
Woloch,N.(2006). Women and the american experience: a concise history (5th ed). New York: McGraw-Hill
Monday, August 22, 2011
More Boring History Stuff
So this is my term paper for World Civilizations HIS 103.
Civilization in Mesoamerica
Contrary to popular belief that the Americas were a pristine paradise sparsely populated by nomadic hunter gathers just waiting to be civilized, the New World contained civilizations that were just as complex as the arriving Europeans were. The societies of Mesoamerica have a history that spans centuries, with each society influenced by its predecessors.
As early as 30,000 years ago the first people crossed over the Bearing strait land bridge (Waldman, 2000, p. 1). The land bridge was a result of an ice age, in North America this is known as the Wisconsin glaciation. Animals may have been the first to migrate across the land bridge, with hunter-gatherer humans following the herds. The glacier itself would have blocked migration to the eastern half of North America and as a result, the early Americans spread southward.
When the glaciers finally retreated around 10,000 years ago there were various cultures scattered around North America, but these were still nomadic hunter-gatherers. These societies, such as the Sandia, Folsom, and Plano were centered on the American southwest and what is now Texas (Waldman, 2000, p. 4). Around 7,000 years ago, the climate and geography stabilized into its present form (Waldman, p. 4). Shortly thereafter, a transition began towards more of a sedentary lifestyle among various tribes. Permanent settlement of an area began to become common as agriculture began to overtake hunting as a means of survival.
The Olmec were among the first Mesoamerican people to successfully make the transition to a settled society. Among the Olmec, villages evolved, if not into true cities, then into large ceremonial and commercial complexes (Bentley et al, 2008, p. 65). Tribes established complex social structures to deal with this new way of living. Like the cultures that followed them, the Olmec’s are believed to have been a theocratic society, with priests, traders and artisans based in the community centers. The Olmec built stone structures including temple pyramids. They had aqueducts and paved streets. The population surrounding the communal centers practiced slash and burn agriculture to support the other stratum of Olmec society (Waldman, p. 10). Large basalt boulders carved into the likeness of human heads are perhaps the best-known Olmec work. The exact reason for their creation is still debated, whether for artistic or religious reasons or as a means of representing the aristocratic class watching over the people in an attempt at Orwellian social control (Mann, 2005, p. 209). Based on the broad lips and flat noses of these carved basalt monoliths there are various archeologist and scholars who have put forth the theory that the Olmec were visited by African explorers, thereby explaining the Olmec’s rapid rise (Mann, p. 209). Other archeologists have proposed visitors from the Shang dynasty in China may have influenced the Olmec (Mann, p.209). Neither of these theories are given much credence.
The Olmec were among the first Mesoamerican people to successfully make the transition to a settled society. Among the Olmec, villages evolved, if not into true cities, then into large ceremonial and commercial complexes (Bentley et al, 2008, p. 65). Tribes established complex social structures to deal with this new way of living. Like the cultures that followed them, the Olmec’s are believed to have been a theocratic society, with priests, traders and artisans based in the community centers. The Olmec built stone structures including temple pyramids. They had aqueducts and paved streets. The population surrounding the communal centers practiced slash and burn agriculture to support the other stratum of Olmec society (Waldman, p. 10). Large basalt boulders carved into the likeness of human heads are perhaps the best-known Olmec work. The exact reason for their creation is still debated, whether for artistic or religious reasons or as a means of representing the aristocratic class watching over the people in an attempt at Orwellian social control (Mann, 2005, p. 209). Based on the broad lips and flat noses of these carved basalt monoliths there are various archeologist and scholars who have put forth the theory that the Olmec were visited by African explorers, thereby explaining the Olmec’s rapid rise (Mann, p. 209). Other archeologists have proposed visitors from the Shang dynasty in China may have influenced the Olmec (Mann, p.209). Neither of these theories are given much credence.
The Olmec directly influenced the cultures that were to follow them. The gods created by the Olmec would be continued to be worshiped by these successor civilizations. The most well known of theses gods is the Great Plumed Serpent or Quetzalcoatl. Another Olmec trait that would survive the dissolution of their culture was a ball game played with a rubber ball on a paved ball court. The Olmec developed a number and calendar system as well as glyph writing, all of which were to flourish under Maya society in centuries to follow. Due to linguistic and cultural similarities, it is surmised that after the decline of Olmec civilization that they migrated southward and are the direct ancestors of the Maya (Waldman, p. 10). The exact reasons for the fall of Olmec society around 400 B.C.E. are not known. What is known is the ceremonial centers were destroyed, perhaps by the Olmec themselves due to civil war or civil unrest regarding the ruling class’s ability to lead (Bentley et al, p. 66).
The Maya are generally regard as direct inheritors of Olmec civilization. Occupying first the Guatemalan highlands, they quickly spread across the Yucatan Peninsula. The prominence of the Maya was not so much from innovation or development of new technologies, but in the refinement of existing systems. Mathematics, astronomy, and architecture all flourished under the Maya. Like the Olmec, Maya society was based around ceremonial centers in the tropical rainforest. Most of these centers consisted of temple pyramids, astronomical observatories, plazas, aqueducts and ball courts.
Although there was a rigid class structure of priests, oligarchs, craftsmen, and farmers there is little evidence suggesting a large political structure unifying the many population centers. The Maya were not as militaristic as later civilizations, despite warfare among the various population centers. Maya culture and influence spread as a result of commerce as they established a far-flung network of trade routes.
Although there was a rigid class structure of priests, oligarchs, craftsmen, and farmers there is little evidence suggesting a large political structure unifying the many population centers. The Maya were not as militaristic as later civilizations, despite warfare among the various population centers. Maya culture and influence spread as a result of commerce as they established a far-flung network of trade routes.
The common heritage of religion grew under the Maya. In addition to a preoccupation with keeping time and observing the stars, human sacrifice was also practiced, but not to the extent it would be in Toltec or Aztec cultures (Allen, 1997, p. 19). Honoring the gods was the primary impetus in keeping Maya civilization orderly. By obeying the dictates of the gods and their servants the priests, the average Mayan would feel as though they were helping to keep the world in order. In doing so, their own civilization would be organized and not descend into anarchy. This was a template for social control that other civilizations would emulate.
By 900 C.E., the Maya were in decline throughout most of their territory. One leading theory suggests that an agricultural crisis resulting from fast population growth and soil depletion led to uprisings against the priests and aristocracy (Waldman, p. 12). Other possibilities that have been put forth include invasion, epidemics of disease, natural disasters, or ecological catastrophe (Bentley et al, p. 68). After European contact in 1502, Spanish and Catholic missionaries systematically destroyed what little Maya culture survived the fall of their civilization.
By 900 C.E., the Maya were in decline throughout most of their territory. One leading theory suggests that an agricultural crisis resulting from fast population growth and soil depletion led to uprisings against the priests and aristocracy (Waldman, p. 12). Other possibilities that have been put forth include invasion, epidemics of disease, natural disasters, or ecological catastrophe (Bentley et al, p. 68). After European contact in 1502, Spanish and Catholic missionaries systematically destroyed what little Maya culture survived the fall of their civilization.
The 9th and 10th centuries would see the rise of the Toltec in central Mexico. The Toltecs rose to prominence with a very militaristic society. Under the Toltec, the practice of human sacrifice, which had existed since Olmec times, gained greater prominence (Allan, p. 16). Skull racks to display the heads of sacrificial offerings first appeared under the Toltec (Allan, p. 16). The agricultural basis of the Toltec was irrigated croplands. Toltec society was transformed when they began conquering their neighbors and extracting tribute. Though they had a large and powerful army, the Toltec also formed an extensive trade network. The similarities in architectural design and art motifs between the Toltec capital of Tula and the Maya city of Chichen Itza a thousand miles to the east are a testament to the trade network of both these civilizations as well as the commonality of Olmec influence.
The warrior culture of the Toltec in turn influenced the Aztecs. When the Toltec went into decline in the 12th century it created a political vacuum within the Valley of Mexico. Numerous small autonomous, often hostile states emerged. The Mexica, a tribe that had been migrating around central Mexico eventually settled in the valley. This tribe would build the remarkable city of Tenochtitlan and the Aztec Empire. The city itself was built on an island in Lake Texacoco. The location offered several advantages including easy access to food sources and military defensibility. This marshy location also spurred the development of the Aztec means of agriculture. Wicker baskets would be anchored to the lake bottom and fertile muck would be dredged from the lakebed and piled up to form artificial islands known as chinampas (Waldman, p. 15). This method of farming was so productive that farmers were sometimes able to harvest seven crops in a year (Bentley, p. 319).
By the turn of the 15th century, the Mexica were powerful enough to overcome their immediate neighbors in the Valley of Mexico. Having done so, they began to call themselves the Aztec, named for the legendary location, Aztlan, from which they believed they had come. Eventually the Aztec’s would subjugate most of the societies of central Mexico. Tenochtitlan became a city of hundreds of buildings interconnected by a canal system. It is estimated that a quarter of a million people lived in Tenochtitlan, with at least that many living in the surrounding suburbs and villages (Bentley, 2008, p.319, Waldman, 2000, p. 14). The Mexica had succeeded in creating a viable social and political structure capable of supporting a large population as well as durable enough to survive severe crop failure or several crisis in succession (Brumfiel, 1983, p. 267). At the height of the Aztec Empire, it is thought to have encompassed anywhere from five million (Waldman, p. 15) to twelve million people (Bentley, p. 319).
Religion lay at the core of Aztec culture. Many of the same gods worshipped by earlier Mesoamerican societies had its own cult (Allen, p. 19). Huitzilopochtli was a tribal war god of the Aztecs, who forced his worship on conquered peoples (Allen, p. 95). Human sacrifice became even more important than it had been among the Toltec. The bodies of the sacrificial victims were often consumed, especially during important religious holidays (Allen, p. 105). As the supreme god of the Aztec political entity, Huitzilopochtli guaranteed the prevailing social order just as he did the authority of the Aztec Empire (Allen, p. 104). To exactly what extent the worship of Huitzilopochtli was out of belief and loyalty rather than fear is difficult to ascertain, though the ease with which the Spanish erased him suggests the later (Allen, p.105).
War rather than trade drove the Aztec Empire. Tribute was extracted from conquered people in the form of slaves and material goods. Nearly 500 various subjected territories paid these tributes to the Aztecs (Bentley, p 319). The Aztecs did not establish a bureaucracy or administer these territories, if a given society wished to rebel the Aztecs would simply re-conquer them, taking many prisoners for sacrifice.
War rather than trade drove the Aztec Empire. Tribute was extracted from conquered people in the form of slaves and material goods. Nearly 500 various subjected territories paid these tributes to the Aztecs (Bentley, p 319). The Aztecs did not establish a bureaucracy or administer these territories, if a given society wished to rebel the Aztecs would simply re-conquer them, taking many prisoners for sacrifice.
These native societies made advances independently of other societies in the world at large. There was no Silk Road along which information and technology could be shared over vast distances. They invented complex, accurate calendars for time keeping. Large stone buildings were built in the middle of tropical jungles. Ingenious means of agriculture were devised. Large military forces were organized. Government was invented, everywhere else in the world it was borrowed or copied from Mesopotamia. Yet when Columbus and his fellow Europeans arrived, all they saw were savages in need of civilization, European civilization.
While wrong about so many things, Columbus was correct when he reported the native peoples used no iron. When natives on San Salvador in 1492 cut themselves through ignorance, they showed themselves to be unaware of the sharp cutting edge of iron (Parker, 2004, p. 132). Iron and steel metallurgy would be one of the keys to the European conquest of the Americas, the other being disease. Though the Aztecs and their allies were able at times to halt and even occasionally defeat the Spanish, which suggest a powerful and highly motivated fighting force, their fate was sealed (Parker, p. 134). Not because they were uncivilized, but because they lacked a sufficient counter to the technological advantage and deadly diseases of the Europeans.
While wrong about so many things, Columbus was correct when he reported the native peoples used no iron. When natives on San Salvador in 1492 cut themselves through ignorance, they showed themselves to be unaware of the sharp cutting edge of iron (Parker, 2004, p. 132). Iron and steel metallurgy would be one of the keys to the European conquest of the Americas, the other being disease. Though the Aztecs and their allies were able at times to halt and even occasionally defeat the Spanish, which suggest a powerful and highly motivated fighting force, their fate was sealed (Parker, p. 134). Not because they were uncivilized, but because they lacked a sufficient counter to the technological advantage and deadly diseases of the Europeans.
Cut off from the societies of Africa, Asia, and Europe the civilizations of the Americas developed independently from them. Though certainly not the only civilizations too flourish in the Americas, these four are an example of how one cultures beliefs and traditions can be reflected or even admired and emulated in successor societies. From the ball courts, temple pyramids, and human sacrifices started by the Olmec, one can see their influence on the societies that followed with each culture adding its own improvements or refinements.
References
Allan, T., Lowenstien, T., Laughton, T. (1997) Gods of sun & sacrifice: Aztec & maya myth. Duncan Baird: London.
Bentley, J., Ziegler, H., Streets, H. (2008). Traditions & Encounters: A Brief Global History. McGraw-Hill Companies Inc.
Brumfiel, E. (1983). Aztec state making: Ecology, structure, and the origin of the state. American Anthropologist 85(2), 261-284. Retrieved July 31, 2011 from http://www.jstor.org/stable/676313
Mann, C. (2005). 1491: New revelations of the Americas before Columbus. Random House: New York
Parker, G. (Ed.). (2004). Cambridge illustrated history of warfare. University Press: Cambridge
Waldman, C. (2000). Atlas of the north American Indian, revised edition. Checkmark Books: New York
Friday, August 19, 2011
Conan The Barbarian
If you don't know who Conan the Barbarian is, then I'm guessing the chance of you going to see this movie in the theaters is virtually nil. Many will remember the film from 1982 staring the Arnold Schwarzenegger.
That's right THE Arnold Schwarzenegger. Because lets face it, the guy is bigger than life. Maybe not quite Elvis bigger than life, but somewhere near on the scale. Conan the Barbarian was his first big hit. Which leads to Terminator and then its off to the races. The dude became Governor of California, a state that would rank in the top ten of global economies if it were its own nation. So if your going to This "reboot" of Conan the Barbarian because of fondness for the Halcyon days of the Arnold Schwarzenegger's portrayal of the Cimmerian then your going to be sadly disappointed, because no film can possibly live up to those expectations.
If however, you just hope for a good Conan story you are not going to be disappointed.
Just as the first film was Rated R for umm the violence, nudity and James Earl Jones as Thulsa "I turn into a snake" Doom, This Conan is quite violent. Just as Conan is supposed to be. Oh and there is gratuitousness background nudity in a couple scenes, Which is Awesome, but its never the focus of the scene. The characters pay no heed as well, for that it the way of things in Robert E. Howard's Hyborian Age.
The Movie begins in the very Traditional Fashion with a narrator starting thusly,
"Between the years when the oceans drank Atlantis and the gleaming cities, and the years of the rise of the Sons of Aryas." Blah blah blah Evil Guys With Evil Mcguffin, blah blah blah, Uprising, blah, blah, Prophecy, and that's the mix. Except its Morgan Freeman doing the voice over, which is always cool.
The following is a clip from the opening act of the film. please do not watch if you are in any way squeamish about violence. Seriously. Not Kidding. Young Conan goes all sorts of reaver badass on a group of Picts .
The rest of the movie can be summed up as follows: It's Conan Smashing skulls of those who defy him. Oh and he wins. Sure he might get captured, or have to face down a horde of Sand Zombies and what not, but lets face it, He is Conan. What ever Obstacle Conan comes up against, violence is his goto answer. Conan's skill set does not include much in the way of diplomacy.
Fight choreography is good, but editing was a little erratic at times. There are some Dethklok worthy Brutal Moments.
Ron Perlman was most excellent as Conan's' father. Though I would have preferred if the forging of the sword scene included instructing Conan about Crom. One of Conan's salient points is his devotion, such as it is, to his cultures god.
The Evil Mcguffin which this time takes the form of a bad ass bone mask is rather Meh. Looks cool, commands phenomenal necromantic power, but still rather Meh.
Acting was pretty much average, nothing stand out at any rate. Though the script really did not allow for much acting regardless. By Crom!, its Conan do you really expect there to be much?
Costumes were well done. Sets were pretty decent.
All in all, id say wait for the DVD if this movie at all interests you. Otherwise take a pass.
If on the other hand you are a fan of Conan the character this movie is pretty damn good. I would have rather the producers had adapted one of the original stories or stayed a bit more faithful to the Hyborian background, (which is rather vast, consisting of 20+ Stories and novels written by Howard himself, 50+ works by various authors within the Hyborian Setting, and 275 issues of The Savage Sword of Conan in addition to another 400+ other comics by Marvel and Dark Horse. The Fluff in that 'verse is thick and remarkably consistent.) This story fits rights in. Overall Execution on a nerd scale would be a B- sliding quickly to a C+. Entertaining if all one wants to see is Conan kicking ass from one set piece to another.
-Mix
That's right THE Arnold Schwarzenegger. Because lets face it, the guy is bigger than life. Maybe not quite Elvis bigger than life, but somewhere near on the scale. Conan the Barbarian was his first big hit. Which leads to Terminator and then its off to the races. The dude became Governor of California, a state that would rank in the top ten of global economies if it were its own nation. So if your going to This "reboot" of Conan the Barbarian because of fondness for the Halcyon days of the Arnold Schwarzenegger's portrayal of the Cimmerian then your going to be sadly disappointed, because no film can possibly live up to those expectations.
If however, you just hope for a good Conan story you are not going to be disappointed.
Just as the first film was Rated R for umm the violence, nudity and James Earl Jones as Thulsa "I turn into a snake" Doom, This Conan is quite violent. Just as Conan is supposed to be. Oh and there is gratuitousness background nudity in a couple scenes, Which is Awesome, but its never the focus of the scene. The characters pay no heed as well, for that it the way of things in Robert E. Howard's Hyborian Age.
The Movie begins in the very Traditional Fashion with a narrator starting thusly,
"Between the years when the oceans drank Atlantis and the gleaming cities, and the years of the rise of the Sons of Aryas." Blah blah blah Evil Guys With Evil Mcguffin, blah blah blah, Uprising, blah, blah, Prophecy, and that's the mix. Except its Morgan Freeman doing the voice over, which is always cool.
The following is a clip from the opening act of the film. please do not watch if you are in any way squeamish about violence. Seriously. Not Kidding. Young Conan goes all sorts of reaver badass on a group of Picts .
The rest of the movie can be summed up as follows: It's Conan Smashing skulls of those who defy him. Oh and he wins. Sure he might get captured, or have to face down a horde of Sand Zombies and what not, but lets face it, He is Conan. What ever Obstacle Conan comes up against, violence is his goto answer. Conan's skill set does not include much in the way of diplomacy.
Fight choreography is good, but editing was a little erratic at times. There are some Dethklok worthy Brutal Moments.
Ron Perlman was most excellent as Conan's' father. Though I would have preferred if the forging of the sword scene included instructing Conan about Crom. One of Conan's salient points is his devotion, such as it is, to his cultures god.
The Evil Mcguffin which this time takes the form of a bad ass bone mask is rather Meh. Looks cool, commands phenomenal necromantic power, but still rather Meh.
Acting was pretty much average, nothing stand out at any rate. Though the script really did not allow for much acting regardless. By Crom!, its Conan do you really expect there to be much?
Costumes were well done. Sets were pretty decent.
All in all, id say wait for the DVD if this movie at all interests you. Otherwise take a pass.
If on the other hand you are a fan of Conan the character this movie is pretty damn good. I would have rather the producers had adapted one of the original stories or stayed a bit more faithful to the Hyborian background, (which is rather vast, consisting of 20+ Stories and novels written by Howard himself, 50+ works by various authors within the Hyborian Setting, and 275 issues of The Savage Sword of Conan in addition to another 400+ other comics by Marvel and Dark Horse. The Fluff in that 'verse is thick and remarkably consistent.) This story fits rights in. Overall Execution on a nerd scale would be a B- sliding quickly to a C+. Entertaining if all one wants to see is Conan kicking ass from one set piece to another.
-Mix
Sunday, August 7, 2011
The Crusades
Yep. The Crusades. Such a wonderful moment in world history. Rampant warfare, disease, destruction, and the whole litany of mans inhumanity to each other. Yet taken as a whole, they represent an era which shaped the course of reality. This week on my World Civilizations discussion board there was a response so bone headed I had to respond.
First the Discussion Question: Discuss the development of the Roman Catholic Church. What effect did it have on society? Why did the church call for a Crusade, or holy war? What were the overall results of the Crusades? Were they a successful military venture? How was the holy war perceived by other societies?
My classmates response:
So I had to respond. Usually I wouldn't even consider doing so, but being that I'm feeling rather confident as of late, I couldn't let this naivete and disregard for even attempting to do the homework slide. Why pay for school if one is not even going to try?
To Harsh? Nah. Seriously though. Assuming there is a humanity to look back at this era 900 years from now, what will they say of our own Crusades?
Mix
First the Discussion Question: Discuss the development of the Roman Catholic Church. What effect did it have on society? Why did the church call for a Crusade, or holy war? What were the overall results of the Crusades? Were they a successful military venture? How was the holy war perceived by other societies?
My classmates response:
Discuss the development of the Roman Catholic Church, and what effects did it have on society?
The Catholic Church was outlawed until the Edict of Milan in 313, which proclaimed religious toleration throughout the Roman Empire. Only then did they slowly start to have an effect on other societies.
The Catholic Church was outlawed until the Edict of Milan in 313, which proclaimed religious toleration throughout the Roman Empire. Only then did they slowly start to have an effect on other societies.
It continued to united the early societies under a central power, as the Roman government loss increasing power in those societies. The Roman Catholic church had become more Romanist in its organization and held similar laws by this time
Why did the church call for a Crusade, or holy war?
To free Jerusalem from Islam.
Were they a successful military venture? How was the holy war perceived by other societies? Wars are never successful, and there were no other societies of note who cared.
It continued to united the early societies under a central power, as the Roman government loss increasing power in those societies. The Roman Catholic church had become more Romanist in its organization and held similar laws by this time.
The church encouraged the development of local rulers that had adopted Roman Christianity and were loyal to the Church. This eventually lead to the Holy Roman Empire.
The church encouraged the development of local rulers that had adopted Roman Christianity and were loyal to the Church. This eventually lead to the Holy Roman Empire.
Why did the church call for a Crusade, or holy war?
To free Jerusalem from Islam.
Were they a successful military venture? How was the holy war perceived by other societies? Wars are never successful, and there were no other societies of note who cared.
So I had to respond. Usually I wouldn't even consider doing so, but being that I'm feeling rather confident as of late, I couldn't let this naivete and disregard for even attempting to do the homework slide. Why pay for school if one is not even going to try?
Melodye,
I respectfully disagree with your conclusions to the final two questions. You stated, “wars are never successful.” There are many wars that have been successful, that have shaped the nature of our reality. Without the victory of the thirteen colonies over the might of the British Empire or the bloody sacrifice of the American Civil War, would there be a United States of America? How different would a world map look if the Allies had not won Second World War? Even the war in Vietnam was successful if one looks at it from the point of the North Vietnamese. However, I suspect your response to the question is more in regards to the humanitarian cost of war. In those regards, I think we are in total agreement. The destruction and loss of life is deplorable. No sane person thinks that what the world needs is more wars; yet true world peace seems to elude us as a species.
The original discussion question was, “Were the Crusades a successful military venture?” I sure in the eyes of those who fought it, thought it was successful when they captured Jerusalem. However, 900 years later we know this to be a temporary victory. These wars were fought over a time span of centuries and facilitated an exchange of ideas, trade goods, and technologies (Bentley et al, p.314). So while not militarily successful in the end, the Crusades did help to strengthen the emerging successor kingdoms of the Western Roman Empire and the Catholic Church.
You further stated, “there were no other societies of note who cared.” The Muslim societies of the time certainly had reason for concern, as did the Byzantine Empire. The Turks, Egyptians and other Muslim societies became more unified because of the Crusades (Bentley et al, p. 314). The Crusades were the beginning of the end for the Byzantines. The crusaders captured territory and even conquered Constantinople before being expelled (Bentley et al, p. 189). The last remnant of the Roman Empire and bastion of Eastern Orthodox Christianity was faced with Muslim nations that were becoming more powerful because of the Crusades. In a larger sense, societies as far away as China may not have had any direct interest in the actual outcome, but certainly would have noticed the increase in trade and communications coming from Western Europe and Mediterranean Basin.
Again, no disrespect intended. -Josh
Bentley, J., Ziegler, H., Streets, H. (2008). Traditions & Encounters: A Brief Global History. McGraw-Hill Companies Inc.
To Harsh? Nah. Seriously though. Assuming there is a humanity to look back at this era 900 years from now, what will they say of our own Crusades?
Mix
Friday, July 15, 2011
What The? Part II
It's that time again. I am back in a 100 level course. The Fact that it is History 103 World Civilizations makes me happy. That the discussion boards have more moronic drivel on them makes me decidedly unhappy. And sometimes one comes along that needs to be shared and made fun of.
This discussion topic involves humanity's transition from a nomadic, hunter-gather lifestyle to a settled agricultural society. This occurred roughly 10,000 years ago, during what is known as the the Neolithic Era.
Here is the Direct Cut and Paste:
Discuss the transition to agriculture. The transition to agriculture is the fact that they find out that they didn’t have to hunt for animals to survive and they started to distinct difference types of food that they could produce that emerged an became a wide range of early civilizations and is now today some of the most important crops.
What influenced the transition?I would have to say humans influenced the transition to agriculture. We as people influence one another that’s a big transition is us as people getting a long better with each other know matter with color your skin is.
How did it alter the life of an average person and shape society? I think it altered life and shaped society by expanding and it shape society by them learning how to survive and continue
What affect did it have on the size of the population?The affect it had on the size of the population is that their a higher population mean more agriculture developed and more crops are planted.
How, in turn, did that mold the development of government? In turn of the development of the government they love seeing hunger in society I don’t trust the government they full of it.
Include data from your textbook and supplementary readings to support your response. “That transition to agriculture led to a population explosion, which enabled human communities to establish themselves in far greater numbers around the world than ever before (Bentley, Ziegler, Streets P. 6)”.
Let's Break that Down:
1.Discuss the transition to agriculture. The transition to agriculture is the fact that they (They who?)find out that they(?) didn’t have to hunt for animals to survive and they started to distinct difference types of food (What like McDonald's or Burger King?) that they(?) could produce that emerged an became a wide range of early civilizations and is now today some of the most important crops.(Glad to see you finally found the period on your keyboard! Seriously, what the hell?)
2.What influenced the transition?I would have to say humans influenced the transition to agriculture.(Really? That's the answer your going with? No F'N kidding) We as people influence one another that’s a big transition is us as people getting a long better with each other know matter with color your skin is. (Grammar Nazi alert! Though if being generous, yes cooperation is important among the early pioneers of agriculture, though they would be suspicious of any stranger regardless of skin color (Bentley et al, p. 7)
3. How did it alter the life of an average person and shape society? I think it altered life and shaped society by expanding and it shape society by them learning how to survive and continue. (So your premise is agriculture altered the life of the average human by expanding and society was shaped by humanity's continued survival? I'll buy that. But that is rather shallow. Maybe mention the difficulties associated with early agriculture or mention that a surplus of food meant individuals could begin to specialize in things other than food production i.e. development of arts and technology.)
4. What affect did it have on the size of the population?The affect it had on the size of the population is that their a higher population mean more agriculture developed and more crops are planted.
(Once again I concede your point. Agriculture did indeed lead to higher populations, but a little more information would be nice, that and better sentence structure. Something like:
Scholars estimate that the population of humanity prior to the invention of agriculture was around four million (Bentley, p. 8). By 500 B.C.E., after agriculture had spread to most of the worlds regions, the population had risen to about 100 million (Bentley, p. 8). As humanity began living in larger and larger groups, the neolithic peoples developed new forms of social structure. As these populations became completely settled and abandoned a migratory lifestyle, the increasing specialization of labor provided the first opportunity for individuals to accumulate wealth. Land ownership is the ultimate source of wealth in an agricultural society. When successful individuals and families managed to hold onto wealth for several generations, clearly defined social classes emerged.)
5. How, in turn, did that mold the development of government? In turn of the development of the government they love seeing hunger in society I don’t trust the government they full of it.
(Whoa! That's way outta left field. I don't even know how to begin to address this one. Are you some sort of time traveling student? The government of Ur or Kish loves seeing hunger in their society? What government are you not trusting and what are they full of? Pretty sure you went off topic here a bit, scratch that, fell head first into an Abyss of Imbecility)
6. Include data from your textbook and supplementary readings to support your response. “That transition to agriculture led to a population explosion, which enabled human communities to establish themselves in far greater numbers around the world than ever before (Bentley, Ziegler, Streets P. 6)”.
(Yeah ok, you did it. You found one piece of information that you wield like a club. Rather than write something that resembles a well thought out and reasoned response using information from the assigned readings throughout, you just figured you would throw this at us. If I'm grading this post you get a D-. And that's being generous because at least you read the first few pages.)
Am I being an intellectual snob? Maybe. But trust me when I say that this fellow students piece comparing and contrasting Mesopotamian civilization with the Hittites is even worse.
References
Bentley, J., Ziegler, H., Streets, H. (2008). Traditions & Encounters: A Brief Global History. McGraw-Hill Companies Inc.
Mix
This discussion topic involves humanity's transition from a nomadic, hunter-gather lifestyle to a settled agricultural society. This occurred roughly 10,000 years ago, during what is known as the the Neolithic Era.
Here is the Direct Cut and Paste:
Discuss the transition to agriculture. The transition to agriculture is the fact that they find out that they didn’t have to hunt for animals to survive and they started to distinct difference types of food that they could produce that emerged an became a wide range of early civilizations and is now today some of the most important crops.
What influenced the transition?I would have to say humans influenced the transition to agriculture. We as people influence one another that’s a big transition is us as people getting a long better with each other know matter with color your skin is.
How did it alter the life of an average person and shape society? I think it altered life and shaped society by expanding and it shape society by them learning how to survive and continue
What affect did it have on the size of the population?The affect it had on the size of the population is that their a higher population mean more agriculture developed and more crops are planted.
How, in turn, did that mold the development of government? In turn of the development of the government they love seeing hunger in society I don’t trust the government they full of it.
Include data from your textbook and supplementary readings to support your response. “That transition to agriculture led to a population explosion, which enabled human communities to establish themselves in far greater numbers around the world than ever before (Bentley, Ziegler, Streets P. 6)”.
Let's Break that Down:
1.Discuss the transition to agriculture. The transition to agriculture is the fact that they (They who?)find out that they(?) didn’t have to hunt for animals to survive and they started to distinct difference types of food (What like McDonald's or Burger King?) that they(?) could produce that emerged an became a wide range of early civilizations and is now today some of the most important crops.(Glad to see you finally found the period on your keyboard! Seriously, what the hell?)
2.What influenced the transition?I would have to say humans influenced the transition to agriculture.(Really? That's the answer your going with? No F'N kidding) We as people influence one another that’s a big transition is us as people getting a long better with each other know matter with color your skin is. (Grammar Nazi alert! Though if being generous, yes cooperation is important among the early pioneers of agriculture, though they would be suspicious of any stranger regardless of skin color (Bentley et al, p. 7)
3. How did it alter the life of an average person and shape society? I think it altered life and shaped society by expanding and it shape society by them learning how to survive and continue. (So your premise is agriculture altered the life of the average human by expanding and society was shaped by humanity's continued survival? I'll buy that. But that is rather shallow. Maybe mention the difficulties associated with early agriculture or mention that a surplus of food meant individuals could begin to specialize in things other than food production i.e. development of arts and technology.)
4. What affect did it have on the size of the population?The affect it had on the size of the population is that their a higher population mean more agriculture developed and more crops are planted.
(Once again I concede your point. Agriculture did indeed lead to higher populations, but a little more information would be nice, that and better sentence structure. Something like:
Scholars estimate that the population of humanity prior to the invention of agriculture was around four million (Bentley, p. 8). By 500 B.C.E., after agriculture had spread to most of the worlds regions, the population had risen to about 100 million (Bentley, p. 8). As humanity began living in larger and larger groups, the neolithic peoples developed new forms of social structure. As these populations became completely settled and abandoned a migratory lifestyle, the increasing specialization of labor provided the first opportunity for individuals to accumulate wealth. Land ownership is the ultimate source of wealth in an agricultural society. When successful individuals and families managed to hold onto wealth for several generations, clearly defined social classes emerged.)
5. How, in turn, did that mold the development of government? In turn of the development of the government they love seeing hunger in society I don’t trust the government they full of it.
(Whoa! That's way outta left field. I don't even know how to begin to address this one. Are you some sort of time traveling student? The government of Ur or Kish loves seeing hunger in their society? What government are you not trusting and what are they full of? Pretty sure you went off topic here a bit, scratch that, fell head first into an Abyss of Imbecility)
6. Include data from your textbook and supplementary readings to support your response. “That transition to agriculture led to a population explosion, which enabled human communities to establish themselves in far greater numbers around the world than ever before (Bentley, Ziegler, Streets P. 6)”.
(Yeah ok, you did it. You found one piece of information that you wield like a club. Rather than write something that resembles a well thought out and reasoned response using information from the assigned readings throughout, you just figured you would throw this at us. If I'm grading this post you get a D-. And that's being generous because at least you read the first few pages.)
Am I being an intellectual snob? Maybe. But trust me when I say that this fellow students piece comparing and contrasting Mesopotamian civilization with the Hittites is even worse.
References
Bentley, J., Ziegler, H., Streets, H. (2008). Traditions & Encounters: A Brief Global History. McGraw-Hill Companies Inc.
Mix
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