Industry and Civilization: the Rise and Fall of Complex Societies

The class representative is here. [Funnel-Horn Model] In the funnel stage, most technologies are eliminated because they cannot pass market testing; In the trumpet stage, the screening technology began to spread exponentially, reshaping production methods and social structures. This model is suitable for most technological iterations in complex societies, including the current large AI model. So, is the large model now in the funnel stage or the trumpet stage? What is mentioned in the book is that the key nodes lie in solving actual needs, economic feasibility, profit model, etc. Large-scale application and replication will bring about cost reduction, and then popularization => Promote industrial change and promote social transformation. Three-stream circulation Energy flow is energy supply and the blood of industry. It used to be wood and coal, but now it is oil and nuclear energy. Product flow is production distribution and supply chain network, which determines economic efficiency and social division of labor. Capital flow is the financial system and the trust medium that drives technological innovation and industrial expansion. The three-flow cycle of energy flow, product flow, and capital flow is the underlying code for the operation of modern complex society. Epopolitics vs. Geopolitics Geopolitics, which is concerned with territorial control and requires guns for dispute resolution; Geopolitical politics focuses on the dominance of industries and supply chains, and the competition is for the control of key resources and technologies. Summary Technological progress follows a funnel-horn path; Social stability relies on the third-flow cycle; The rise and fall of countries depends on geopolitics.

Inventions and creations produce products, and the introduction of products creates industries. The emergence of industries will bring about changes in society's material life, and at the same time promote the progress and prosperity of other aspects of society. The upgrading of industries will further develop and prosper the entire society. The history of the development of human civilization is a process of constantly moving from low-level products to high-level and higher-level products. I am convinced that this process will never end.

This is the second economics book I have read, and it is more profound than the first one. Of course, there are a lot of gains, but it's a pity. I just read it once, and there are still many parts that I need to read two more times, or even three times, to learn. Of course, I read it so fast, and part of me wanted to finish reading the Civilization trilogy in half a month. Unfortunately, I really overestimated myself. It took me more than half a month to finish reading this book. 😕

Very good. The author explains the historical changes, political evolution, and economic development over the past hundreds of years from an industrial perspective. The economic foundation determines the superstructure. Today's country is becoming more and more like a large conglomerate. How to formulate and optimize economic rules is not only related to the daily necessities of every ordinary person, but also the fate of every political system. This book is very enlightening for understanding the operation of society.

This book has a unique perspective and uses the concept of "ecopolitical" to interpret history. It is very interesting! It feels a bit like "A Brief History of Mankind", both analyzing history from a macro perspective. I especially like the analysis of various factors behind industrial development in the book, which gave me a new understanding of history. Moreover, the author's discussion is very vivid, like telling a story, making it easy to understand. This book is worth reading for anyone who likes to think about history and civilization.

There are endless heroes in the world, they are powerful

This is the history of ordinary people, the history of technology and industrialization, and the hymn of wealth and dreams.

It's very beautiful and subverted my old ideas.

Nice angle!

Only by understanding the past can we understand the future. This book opens a window for us to understand modern industries.

Elucidates in more detail that the energy revolution is a prerequisite for the productivity revolution