Me and a couple of friends were wondering what the single greatest invention is. Since greatness is open to interpretation, we decided to define the greatest as the single most significant/important manmade (or womanmade) creation with regards to the advancement of the human race. We came up with a few candidates, mine being mathematics. Others were fire, religion, tools, and agriculture. Any more candidates for the best? And why do you think which one is the greatest?
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Originally posted by Mephisto2I'm not sure if "language" is meaningful for what animals do. I think that language is a form of structured communication. Not necessarily expressed formally, but with at least some form of syntax.
wheel
We should distinguish between invention (like wheel), discovery (like most sciences, including mathematics) and evolution (like language - animals communicate too). Most inventions are based on discoveries (like the use of electricity)
Edit - And it's also hard to separate intuitive learning from what you call evolution. If progenitors teach cubs some behaviours, is this evolution or discovery? It is not necessarily innate...
Originally posted by CrowleyInterestingly, there are some theories that religion might have been key in the change from nomadic to sedentary settlements.
This dude must be an idiot. Or you lot are smoking far too much weed...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%B6bekli_Tepe#Interpretation_and_Importance
Originally posted by PalynkaHmmm, interesting.
Interestingly, there are some theories that religion might have been key in the change from nomadic to sedentary settlements.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%B6bekli_Tepe#Interpretation_and_Importance
Still, surely mechanisation of agriculture had a bigger impact?
Is this a very old chicken and egg problem?
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Originally posted by CrowleyYes, and the argument applies only to the region as there were other places where people independently started to settle. Still, it's interesting that no traces of domesticated plants or animals have been found. It's hard to imagine hunter-gatherers building a large temple... That place is fascinating.
Hmmm, interesting.
Still, surely mechanisation of agriculture had a bigger impact?
Is this a very old chicken and egg problem?
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Originally posted by Crowleyyeah dude we are def. smokin some funky stuff, but its an interesting wuestione nonetheless. i'm stuck between mathematics and agriculture. I see natural sciences as an invention, not a discovery. or rather, the two are not to be distinguished, as an invention is inherently a discovery as well.
This dude must be an idiot. Or you lot are smoking far too much weed...
Edit: *wuestione = question
