Introspection and preserved writings give us far more insight into the ways of past humans than we have into the ways of past dinosaurs. For that reason, Im optimistic that we can eventually arrive at convincing explanations for these broadest patterns of human history. – Jared Diamond
Were uncomfortable about considering history as a science. Its classified as a social science, which is considered not quite scientific. – Jared Diamond
The main thing that gives me hope is the media. We have radio, TV, magazines, and books, so we have the possibility of learning from societies that are remote from us, like Somalia. We turn on the TV and see what blew up in Iraq or we see conditions in Afghanistan. – Jared Diamond
Thousands of years ago, humans domesticated every possible large wild mammal species fulfilling all those criteria and worth domesticating, with the result that there have been no valuable additions of domestic animals in recent times, despite the efforts of modern science. – Jared Diamond
Whats different now is that while political leaders used to give talking points to talk radio, now talk-radio hosts are giving talking points to political leaders. Its all part of the suffocating spin cycle were in. In media, politics and publishing, the conventional wisdom is to play to this base. – John Avlon
Im hungry for knowledge. The whole thing is to learn every day, to get brighter and brighter. Thats what this world is about. You look at someone like Gandhi, and he glowed. Martin Luther King glowed. Muhammad Ali glows. I think thats from being bright all the time, and trying to be brighter. – Jay-Z