Jared Diamond investigates why cultures prosper or decline -- and what we can learn by taking a broad look across many kinds of societies.
Why you should listen
In his books Guns, Germs and Steel and Collapse (and the popular PBS and National Geographic documentaries they inspired), big-picture scholar Jared Diamond explores civilizations and why they all seem to fall. Now in his latest book, The World Until Yesterday, Diamond examines small, traditional, tribal societies -- and suggests that modern civilization is only our latest solution to survival.
Diamond’s background in evolutionary biology, geography and physiology informs his integrated vision of human history. He posits that success -- and failure -- depends on how well societies adapt to their changing environment.
What others say
Diamond eschews the grand canvas to offer an empathetic portrait of human survival and adaptability
Jared Diamond’s TED Talks
More news and ideas from Jared Diamond
We humans
What it’s like to grow old in different parts of the world
June 24, 2015
People are living longer thanks to improvements in healthcare, nutrition and technology. This population shift brings with it incredible possibilities -- but also a new set of challenges. So ... How do we care for our elderly?
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What it’s like to grow old, in different parts of the world
November 25, 2013
The world’s population is getting older. Across the globe, people are living longer thanks to improvements in healthcare, nutrition and technology. This population shift brings with it incredible possibilities, but also a new set of challenges. How do we care for our elderly? In today’s talk, Jared Diamond examines the vast differences in how societies […]
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How societies grow old: Jared Diamond at TED2013
March 1, 2013
Growing old in traditional societies Jared Diamond is the author of Guns, Germs, and Steel, which was a provocative answer to the question of why Europe dominated the world for much of recent history. More recently, he has written The World Before Yesterday, an investigation of traditional societies, and what the modern world might learn from […]
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