What is the perfect environment for a human?

Well, look where we humans grew up. It seems to me the savannah is the place to be. It's fairly open, so you can see enemies or yummy animals approaching for miles, yet there are trees around for cover and shade. There are flowers to be found in abundance, which generally herald what will be a good place to forage for goodies in upcoming months. There's water, there's large animals since it's basically a gaming preserve, the climate is temperate, what's not to love.

Think about what cultures tend to do when they find themselves in unsavannah-like lands with the technology to do something about it. Clear-cut the forests, leave nice attractive copses of trees, and let the buffalo roam...and then hunt them to near extinction, but that's another thread.

Also note the modern suburban lawn. Ideally we have a few attractive trees, maybe some flowery shrubbery, and nice clean-cut grass. And buffalo...er...
 
Warmer climates generally have more diseases and predators than colder climates, though colder climates are harsh simply because they are cold.
 
In Guns, Germs, and Steel, Jared Diamond states that the natives of the US Pacific NW (and SW Canada) were one of the only people ever to live as hunter/gatherers without having to be nomadic, because the environment was so food-rich they could settle in place. Without labor intensive agriculture, I would think they had a lot of free time for social activity, yet their food gathering required vigorous physical exertion to keep them active. I bet they had pretty good lives (with the obvious expection of no dental or medical care).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top Bottom