Entropy Watersheds and the Main Transitions in World History

2 Entropy Watersheds and the Main Transitions in World History 

To support the contention that the second law does represent a common thread behind world history we will use, as an example, its effect on the two main transitions  

In each case, we will demonstrate that the underlying cause for these transitions was the fact that the existing society exhausted all available energy, i.e. it reached an Entropy Watershed. 

We all know that our early ancestors were hunters and food gatherers. Evidence based on tribes that survived into the last centuries in isolated areas of America, Australia, and Africa suggests that they lived a rather pleasant life, probably much better than that of millions of people in the world today Aey seem to have sufficient food and the effort required to gather it was only about a few hours per day (Stavrianos, 1984). Here is how J. Bargert, a Jesuit who lived between 1750 and 1767 with some California Indians, described their life They are generally strong, daring and healthier than thousands of other people that live daily with the best meals that are prepared by the skilful Paris chefs. .. There is no doubt that they live a much happier life than the civilized people of Europe. (Smithsonian Institute, 18. ) 

Why did these ancestors of ours change such a pleasant way of life What brought about the Agricultural Revolution  

---