Jared Diamond argues that when humans decided 10,000 years ago to no longer be hunter-gatherers and made the decision to become sedentary and begin domesticating their animals and crops, the result was that the human race experienced a steady decline. Diamond points out that “agriculture came with the blatant social and sexual inequality, disease and despotism that curse our existence” (Diamond). While the current system is certainly far from perfect, Diamond's various complaints and solutions certainly wouldn't be of much help at present either. Diamond states that the reason hunter-gatherer groups became farmers was simply because it was easier to create more food. for your individual group if it has been cultivated, this statement is valid. Everyone would be responsible for themselves and should help. There would no longer be constant complaints that so many people are lazy and living on handouts as there is in today's modern world. There's also a valid argument that sexism probably wouldn't be as prevalent either. If everyone in the group is responsible for exactly the same thing and everyone is always on the move, there certainly doesn't seem to be much time for gender stratification as there is in the modern world where the woman is supposed to take care of the children. perform household chores and generally have a place of work outside the home. Nor would there be such a large population that, according to Diamonds' statement, "nomadic hunter-gatherers must keep their children four years apart by infanticide and other means" (Diamond). While he certainly does not advocate any form of infanticide, if a woman has only... middle of paper ... the Jared Diamond makes several valid points, there is no purpose or anything to gain from living in the past or wondering what could have happened. Humans have become accustomed to the conveniences that have developed over centuries, even if they have to work harder to obtain them. Humans work longer and harder to achieve these things, but they have also become rather lazy. For example, the average American spends their day in an air-conditioned workspace, then comes to an air-conditioned home to watch television and use various electronic devices after going to dinner at a local fast food restaurant. America's population alone would be greatly reduced if a catastrophic event forced them to become hunter-gatherers again. Works CitedDiamond, J. (1987). The worst mistake in the history of the human race. Discover, 8(5), 64-66.