[OT] [I mean totally OT] Re: What can you "new"

[Andrei Alexandrescu]

Sean Kelly wrote:
> Christopher Wright wrote:
>> Walter Bright wrote:
>>> Andrei Alexandrescu wrote:
>>>> My list:
>>>>
>>>> - wheel
>>>> - fire
>>>> - smelting metals
>>>> - writing
>>>> - arithmetic
>>>
>>> But humans had fire 20,000 years ago! I think fire goes back a lot 
>>> longer than that. I also suspect that simple arithmetic is innate, 
>>> although a numbering system is not (see Mayan and Roman number systems).
>>>
>>> Wouldn't the wheel be useless to a hunter-gatherer tribe?
>>
>> If they are nomadic, wheels allow an individual to carry much more 
>> equipment. This allows them to store up surplus food more easily and 
>> safely. This in turn safeguards them from famine and allows for excess 
>> food to diversify roles in the community to a greater degree. 
>> Additionally, it means that the writing equipment that you supplied 
>> gets used, and the texts don't get tossed as soon as they move.
> 
> I don't buy it.  Most foods would spoil too quickly for this to matter, 
> the wagons would be slow, wheels would need repair, etc.  If I were in a 
> nomadic tribe I wouldn't do more than pile stuff on the back of a Mule.

When did you tame the mule??? :o)

Andrei