The great diversity of humanities, including languages, cultures, social organizations

have always been intriguing. Yet while we appreciate this variety, we cannot stop
pondering how come certain groups of people seem to be more superior as they
develop civilizations earlier than the others. The speaker said it is a dangerous thing to
say as we may be criticized as being racist, but curiosity does not keep us away from
asking this question. What are the factors that contribute to such a difference? Why is
there such a big gap between different groups of people? When we look at the four
ancient civilizations, we shall not overlook then fact that three of them seem to be
concentrated as neighbors to each other. Let us put the racist problem aside and face
the inequality.
In the past, some people tried to explain the above difference by suggesting that some
groups of people are more intelligent. The speaker explained how preposterous the
claim is. The brain function of aboriginal people is not inferior to people living a
modern life. Here comes to another question: If natural selection leads to the disparity
of technological development, then we would expect natives to be less intelligent and
still survive well just like our ancestors did in the natural environment. This
assumption has been proven to be wrong. We have life examples that once these
people are in contact with the modern world, they excel in using technology such as
flying a helicopter. We must emphasize that intelligence is not a correct explanation
for the disparity. So why some groups of people still lead a life as our ancestors did in
the Stone Age? It is still a question to ponder.
Cognitive power may draw a distinction between the civilized and uncivilized. The
speaker highlighted the importance of written language. Human beings learn to write
until very recently when compared to their existence. This ability is so significant in a
sense that it is not innate, but a learnt action. While we say being able to speak is
innate as it just involves control of different body parts, learning to read is an
extremely difficult cognitive power. We should say this ability is an artifact. The
significance of being able to write is that it enables passing on and propagation of
knowledge. People with brilliant minds may come up with ideas that most people do
not understand, thus it is necessary to record the wisdom and when time comes,
someone smart enough will be able to learn and even modify the idea. This is how
knowledge is passed and spread.
The speaker has also mentioned the importance of education and what exactly it is. It
is the incubation of the ability to tell what is good and bad, to learn from what is
considered good. It involves the accumulation of experience and application so that
wisdom can be acquired and altogether they form knowledge. Human beings are
capable of thinking in an abstract way and realize the abstract ideas into actual
technology or applications. But all these sophisticated thoughts which are consistent,
systematic and sustained that we call them as a sign of civilization comes from an
important tool that helps to develop our mind: words.
Words are so important that the convey ideas, create the nonexistence and spread
them. They are what tell our past, record the present and lead to the future.
I am surprised that the speaker said once civilizations become isolated, there wont be
any development but instead there is a backward progress- what their ancestors know
may be lost and the new generations live an even more primitive life. By telling the

examples of Tasmanian, we should not neglect the importance of learning from each
other so that we can also make progresses.