Here is the EVIDENCE for commitment to agriculture being the root of all evil:
When anthropologists study cultures before and after agriculture, they find that before agriculture, all people in the tribe have equal value. But agriculture makes some farmers, some pot makers (for storing grain), and some are soldiers for guarding surplus (soldiers) ---- inequality is born, as each profession has a different value.
Speaking of soldiers, before agriculture tribes moved around, and had nothing of value.... after we have surplus food for the off-season. Its the reason for war. Large scale War only comes after agriculture.
What of women? Well they used to be valued gatherers, but after agriculture they are kept inside to have babies, patriarchy is born and women are valued less.
Before agriculture we are relatively healthy. But once we stay in one spot and farm we pool water, bringing mosquitoes. And we know live close to farm animals --- so the sicknesses they experience, such as the cold and flu, evolve and jump to humans. Our diet also suffers immeasurably (no cavities before we start farming honey and drinking mead).
Then there's the fact that one flood, or one bad crop can wipe out a village (that before agriculture would have just moved to a better spot), which gives rise to religion and human sacrifice, etc to appease the gods. And the fact that in only a couple generations they had salinated the earth through irrigation.....and turned a hunter-gatherer's paradise into a desolate wasteland.
When anthropologists study cultures before and after agriculture, they find that before agriculture, all people in the tribe have equal value. But agriculture makes some farmers, some pot makers (for storing grain), and some are soldiers for guarding surplus (soldiers) ---- inequality is born, as each profession has a different value.
Speaking of soldiers, before agriculture tribes moved around, and had nothing of value.... after we have surplus food for the off-season. Its the reason for war. Large scale War only comes after agriculture.
What of women? Well they used to be valued gatherers, but after agriculture they are kept inside to have babies, patriarchy is born and women are valued less.
Before agriculture we are relatively healthy. But once we stay in one spot and farm we pool water, bringing mosquitoes. And we know live close to farm animals --- so the sicknesses they experience, such as the cold and flu, evolve and jump to humans. Our diet also suffers immeasurably (no cavities before we start farming honey and drinking mead).
Then there's the fact that one flood, or one bad crop can wipe out a village (that before agriculture would have just moved to a better spot), which gives rise to religion and human sacrifice, etc to appease the gods. And the fact that in only a couple generations they had salinated the earth through irrigation.....and turned a hunter-gatherer's paradise into a desolate wasteland.