Reference no: EM133544594

Problem: Writing

Question I. People have to live. Compare the three you have chosen, strictly from the standpoint of how they get energy out of the environment. By "compare," we mean name the key similarities, and name the key differences. Trace energy flows back to the sun, and compare those flows across the three societies you have chosen. If you prefer to start your answer by providing very short summaries of each group, that's OK, but three separate summaries do not answer this question. Most of your answer should consist of thinking across these three cases, and naming differences and similarities.

Question II. Living is easy. Or is it? Some people are fond of the "affluent forager" thesis, arguing that most foragers, ancient and modern, led frugal but relaxed lives, with plenty of spare time. Smil and Kaplan doubt that. What do your three examples have to say to this question? In particular, how resilient are your different foragers to seasonal food shortages?

Question III. People have to get along. Some people argue that foragers tend to be egalitarian, without large differences in wealth and power. Others doubt that. What do your three examples have to say to this question?