When we look at a certain civilization, any civilization, the first and most important aspect is its stable food supply. Without a regular and dependable supply of food, a civilization will begin to break down into chaos.
History includes several examples of times and places in which hunger and a desire for food has caused political or social troubles: Russia in 1910 and 1917, the U.S. and Germany in the 1930s, the Soviet Union in the 1980s and 90s, and certain African countries in the 1970s up until the present day (sadly).
About three years ago, the price of wheat worldwide spiked and products such as bread and pasta almost doubled in price. The video below shows a survey of how different countries' news stations covered the crisis. Notice that in the U.S. the story focused on how much more pastries would cost, while in Egypt and Pakistan people were rioting and in a state of panic over the higher price and lower supply of bread:
In movies, there is one great example of what might happen in an earth that is overcrowded and polluted. Without the land to grow food, or clean oceans from which to find seafood, the company goes to drastic measures to provide food.
In Soylent Green, the main character finds out a terrible secret about what the people of New York have been eating. He also solves the mystery of where all of the missing rioters went after being arrested by the police. He tries to warn the others!
The movie ends with the hilarious (and gross) thought that maybe one day the food supply just might be...PEOPLE!!!! The movie is pretty terrible, but the last scene includes one of the most famous lines in movie history.
History includes several examples of times and places in which hunger and a desire for food has caused political or social troubles: Russia in 1910 and 1917, the U.S. and Germany in the 1930s, the Soviet Union in the 1980s and 90s, and certain African countries in the 1970s up until the present day (sadly).
About three years ago, the price of wheat worldwide spiked and products such as bread and pasta almost doubled in price. The video below shows a survey of how different countries' news stations covered the crisis. Notice that in the U.S. the story focused on how much more pastries would cost, while in Egypt and Pakistan people were rioting and in a state of panic over the higher price and lower supply of bread:
In movies, there is one great example of what might happen in an earth that is overcrowded and polluted. Without the land to grow food, or clean oceans from which to find seafood, the company goes to drastic measures to provide food.
omg that video when the guy was like dying was kinda gross/ weirdddddd!!! except it was NOTHING close to as gross as the corn god.
ReplyDeletewhat is question 4?
ReplyDeleteIt asks why YOU THINK the homes at Catal Huyuk have the entrances in the roof.
ReplyDeleteThis is sooo random but... I LUV CLUSTER 2!
ReplyDeleteAlso, Does all the other clusters do Barter Day? And How will it work? Can u explain it a little?
For question 2 can our answer be a chart or does it have to be in sentences
ReplyDeleteCool movie... talk about scarcity with too much demand.
ReplyDeleteThat was so GROSS!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteCome on dude! I said question 2 could be in a chart like a ton of times in class!!
ReplyDeleteAnd I love cluster 2 too! Yes, all clusters do Barter Day--just on different days.
And yes, turning people into food does represent a series scarcity!