tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25714039.post4366770625615995184..comments2023-10-26T00:17:28.411+08:00Comments on A Private Portfolio: Book Review: Collapsetraineeinvestorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179861120801348035noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25714039.post-38885189737550054632007-03-25T22:01:00.000+08:002007-03-25T22:01:00.000+08:00Hi thanks for the comments. I don't have the knowl...Hi thanks for the comments. I don't have the knowledge to debate the history of the Norse in Greenland, but do appreciate your views. As a person who enjoys reading history (without claiming any expertise), it actually sounds quite interesting. If you could direct me towards any useful websites or books on the subject I would be greatful.<BR/><BR/>I do feel I have the background to address your queries on some of the other sections in the book:<BR/><BR/>1. China: his comments are consistent with my first hand experiences and other readings. The only thing that took me by surprise was the claim that the PRC government's reforestation program is adding to the environmental damage;<BR/><BR/>2. Australia: his comments are all consistent with my understandings of a country with which I have a high degree of familiarity. His explanation about the fragility of the soil and marine environments gave a technical backing to what has happened (and continues to happen) to the Australian environment;<BR/><BR/>3. The oil, mining, forestry and fishing industries: although I do not work in these sectors (except occasionally on an indirect basis), I have spent a lot of time looking into them for investment purposes Much of what Diamond has written is consistent with my previous research into these industries. Obviously, these industries have their apologists and lobbyists who dispute some of the statements made but, in general, I believe Diamond has got this one right.<BR/><BR/>I'm not really in a position to express views on the other sections in the book (beyond those which any reader with some general knowledge could express).<BR/><BR/>Cheers<BR/>traineeinvestortraineeinvestorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05179861120801348035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25714039.post-62486808945501042042007-03-25T08:14:00.000+08:002007-03-25T08:14:00.000+08:00As an expert about the Norse in Greenland, I am un...As an expert about the Norse in Greenland, I am uncomfortable when reviewers “highly recommend” the book Collapse.<BR/><BR/>Diamond did not "dig" very deep to find a society that would match his all ready formed conclusions.<BR/><BR/>The Norse in Greenland faced two great ecological challenges. The Norse felt the hunger caused by over grazing their pasture lands. Many of them left to "the other side" (of Davis Strait--America).<BR/><BR/>Those who stayed lived mostly on food from the sea. When the Little Ice age closed that option for those remaining they too walked on the ice to "the other side."<BR/><BR/>In both cases they decided, as a group. and left while they still had options. As a society they were successful, but as Algonquin speaking tribes in North America and not as Norse in Greenland.<BR/><BR/>Where in the world of the 1300s, dominated by Popes, Kings, Khans, and other dictators, were there groups of people who could decide their own reaction to changing ecological conditions? Probably only in Iceland and Greenland, where the democratic “Althing” was the governing body.<BR/><BR/>The Vikings (Old Norse) succeeded against over whelming odds. They occupied 1/3 of North America when their cousins the English and the French landed on their shores.<BR/><BR/>So one of the rare civilizations in the 1300s with democratic government overcame two major ecological disasters by taking the best option available—moving. That survival of a democratic group under great stress is the story Diamond should have written about. If he had found that story, I would have highly recommended him, but I have difficulty recommending an author who did not do adequate homework. Did he do better homework on the other topics?<BR/><BR/>MyronAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com