Search

Home > Reflecting History > Episode 77: Against the Grain Part IV-Collapses and Dark Ages


	Podcast:		Reflecting History
	Episode:		Episode 77: Against the Grain Part IV-Collapses and Dark Ages
	Category:		Society & Culture
	Duration:		00:36:30
	Publish Date:		2020-07-06 23:00:00
	Description:		What do we mean when we say that a civilization collapsed? This is an extremely common way to speak about ancient societies and governmental systems. It typically carries a negative connotation, but did these "collapses" actually represent decreases in the well being of the human beings who fell victim to them? A similar series of ponderings can apply to the term "Dark Ages." Dark for who? Why? In what context? In his analysis of collapse, dark ages, and the dichotomy between barbarians and "civilization," historian James C. Scott shows once again that sometimes asking the right questions is more important than getting the right answers. This is the final part in a series on James C. Scott's recent book "Against the Grain." The book provides a new and contrarian perspective on the origins of humanity, what the earliest states were really up to, and how the environment and "civilization" around us has fundamentally changed us as human beings. Support the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/reflectinghistory Reflecting History on Twitter: @reflectinghist If you like the podcast and have 30 seconds to spare, consider leaving a review on iTunes/Apple Podcasts...It helps! Try my audio course: Why do 'good' people support evil leaders? What allure does Fascism hold that enables it to garner popular support? And what lessons can history teach us about today? My audio course 'A Beginners Guide to Understanding & Resisting Fascism: Nazi Germany and the Battle for the Human Heart' explores these massive questions through the lens of Nazi Germany and the ordinary people who lived, loved, collaborated and even resisted during those times. Through exploring the past, I hope to unlock lessons that all learners on the course can apply to the present day - from why fascism attracts people to how it can be resisted. I'm donating 20% of the proceeds to Givewell's Maximum Impact Fund, and the course also comes with a 100% money back guarantee. Check it out at https://avid.fm/reflectinghistory
	Total Play:		0