Re: virus: Project #1: Virus Maxims

Twirlip of Greymist (phoenix@ugcs.caltech.edu)
Mon, 28 Aug 1995 20:47:20 -0700 (PDT)


/I just finished an L. Neil Smith novel, _Pallas_. He is past president of
/agricultural revolution was the worst thing to happen in human history:
/- it tied people to the land, so that they couldn't get away from those who
/would exploit/conquer them

It'd be tragic if Smith has started taking himself too seriously. While
the above is something I've pondered, it is also true that technology is
the descendant of agriculture. Both the pressure for agritools and
irrigation, and after those the boost in food supply and population,
plus the wars those societies kept getting into, kept nudging life along
until the cities of Renaissance Europe when fun finally started
happening. Show me a hunting gathering society that's mastered iron or
glassworks.

"worst thing to happen" is flagrant hyperbole, especially from someone
who praises the virtues of the gun.

Slainte,
-xx- Damien Sullivan X-) <*> http://www.ugcs.caltech.edu/~phoenix

Out she stepped from the elven land
Smiling she held out her hand
Come Sir Knight, why such glee?
Come with me the dance to lead!