The World Until Yesterday

Jared Diamond’s book, The World Until Yesterday: What Can We Learn from Traditional Societies?, is a thought-provoking exploration of the lives of traditional societies and what modern societies can learn from them. Diamond is a renowned professor of geography at the University of California, Los Angeles, and has written extensively on the evolution of human societies. In this book, he draws on his experiences living and working with traditional societies in New Guinea, as well as his knowledge of anthropology, to present a compelling argument for the relevance of traditional societies in the modern world.

Introduction

The book begins with a vivid description of Diamond’s experience in an airport, highlighting the contrast between modern societies and traditional societies. He explains that while modern societies have many advantages, traditional societies have developed unique social and cultural practices that have allowed them to survive and thrive in challenging environments. Diamond argues that these practices can offer valuable insights into how modern societies can address common challenges such as conflict resolution, healthcare, and child-rearing.

Types of Traditional Societies

The book is organize into twelve chapters, each focusing on a different aspect of traditional societies. Diamond begins by discussing the diversity of traditional societies, including their different social structures, belief systems, and technologies. He notes that while traditional societies may appear primitive or backward to modern eyes, they have develop sophisticate knowledge and skills that are well-suite to their environments.

Approaches, Causes, and Sources

Throughout the book, Diamond employs a comparative approach to highlight the similarities and differences between traditional and modern societies. He draws on a wide range of sources, including his own experiences, historical records, and anthropological studies, to support his arguments. Diamond also emphasizes the importance of taking a multidisciplinary approach to understanding traditional societies, incorporating insights from anthropology, psychology, ecology, and other fields.

Lessons for Modern Societies

One of the key themes of the book is that modern societies can learn valuable lessons from traditional societies. Diamond discusses a range of practices, such as conflict resolution, healthcare, and child-rearing, that have been successful in traditional societies and could be adapt to modern contexts. He also emphasizes the importance of preserving traditional knowledge and practices, which are often in danger of being lost as traditional societies come into contact with modernization.

Conclusion

Overall, The World Until Yesterday is a fascinating and insightful exploration of the lives of traditional societies and the lessons they can offer to modern societies. Diamond’s writing is clear and engaging, and he presents a wealth of information in a concise and accessible manner.