Agriculture vs. Hunting and Gathering

Agriculture is not necessarily a ‘better’ system than hunting and gathering.  Agriculture creates inequality, susceptibility to famine, tons of work, warfare, and a less varied diet.  Sometimes, those who farm are employed to feed those who do not and the farmers end up malnourished themselves.  Other times, crops fail and lead to large, unsustainable population.  Unfortunately for hunting and gathering, agriculture also creates more people.  Regardless of whether the supply of food is open and reliable, a ton of undernourished agriculturalists can always fight off a few healthy hunter-gatherers for their land.

Simply put,

Agriculture creates inequality and many unhealthy people.

Hunting and gathering creates equality and a few healthy people.

~ by djstrouse on May 8, 2008.