As promised- the content will begin now. I thought about starting the blog from about 50 years ago and then working my way forward- but then I thought - why not just add three zeros and start at around 50,000. BC (give or take a couple of millenia). You may think this odd coming from an investment blog- but as you will see if you follow through until post 37 or so- priorities are actually coming full circle as time passes.......... Early man was quite primitive (sort of like a modern day Mets fan). Their needs were very basic and included food, water, shelter, 'clothing', and survival. Although we have many of the same basic needs today the average person doesn't need to spend nearly as much time gathering food or concerning themselves with survival. Now in the developing world, and even though 50 centuries have passed (during our blog's time frame) that is not the case and life for those poor soles is in many ways worse than that of their ancient ancestors. Basics were essential and as man learned how to harness the power of elements life began to progress. Fire allowed for heat and a well cooked meal. Skins and pelts provided warmth and the ability to venture into different climates and provided survival from harsh weather. Rocks and wood provided the weaponry to hunt, to dig, and to eventually plant crops. Evolution continued and as we were better able to make use of our resources we were able build better structures, support larger 'tribes', and provide comfort for our early family units. As time progressed we were able to use our resources to assist us in migrating to far flung corners of the globe where we continued to find, and to utilize new tools and new methods of advancement. Eventually we were able to plant and harvest our own crops, organize teams of hunters, and develop cohesive family and tribal units. And although the methods of survival and advancement continued to improve our basic needs remained the same. Life began to really advance when we were able to spend more time living and less time protecting life. In other words, in ancient times man and beast were more fairly matched. Through trial and error we learned to construct barriers and defenses to protect ourselves from predators. We then became more proficient in hunting in teams and developing better trapping and hunting techniques, and the weaponry to go along with it. Eventually we were able to devote more time to developing early 'luxuries' like cookware, farming tools, and housing structures. If we then fast forward a few thousand years we were able to utilize metals to a much larger extent that at any time in history. Metals have been vital for thousands years whether it was to produce a weapon, make a cup, or use as a form of currency. Metals allowed us to do things that had been virtually impossible up until their utilization- and continue to be vital to this day. Look around you and imagine any skyscraper or bridge or structure of any significance being built without the use of metals. The importance of metals has never been greater. Over time early man was able to continue to advance farming techniques and in doing so - was able to develop entire communities. Irrigation techniques helped to fuel early agricultural efforts. Food was an early form of wealth and those that possessed food began facing a new form of predator; humans. Long after the daily threat of survival at the claws or fangs of a wild beast subsided man now had to fear for and protect himself from the hands of man. Man, being primal, was a constant threat if you were in possession of food, tools, or even a beautiful cave woman (and I'm sure there were some real stunners). So the battle lines were drawn and the fight was over resources. Again, not much different than modern times- even though we would like to think that we are more civilized than that. As time progresses (from now) more wars will be fought over food, water, and oil. Some will be internal conflicts (civil) and others regional- but as resources become scarcer and population grows- the convergence of the two is actually stepping up the de-evolution of man. Eventually man will be brought back to his most primal and base needs. Let's take a look at the birthplace of Western Civilization; Athens. Athens has been around for about 10,000. years- with a real city beginning to take shape about 7,000years ago. The Greeks were blessed with an abundance of resources- a very mild climate, a wonderful centralized location, and plenty of neighboring cultures to trade with. The Greeks also enjoyed long periods of relative stability, and were therefore able to devote a greater percentage of time to 'higher thinking' which led to many of the advancements that we enjoy to this day. As a direct result of not having to spend as much time battling the elements, or each other - philosophy, art, mathematics, medicine, astronomy, and democracy were able to flourish. Much of the Ancient Greek advances made (along with their fellow ancient cultures) were as a direct result of developing and utilizing resources to a much greater extent than ever before. The balance of Athenian advances were also aided by a different breed of Greek that was a protective force - the Soldier State of Sparta. Through this entire period we continued to utilize - to a greater degree- a much wider variety of metals, minerals, food, wood, fabric, animals, and water. Man had stopped focusing on animal for food or as a predator and began to utilize them for transpiration, defense, and for agriculture. Life continued to improve. As man developed its resources- greed became magnified. Ancient civilizations began to war with one-another over resources and entire groups of people were lost to to pages (or in this case- tablets) of history. But as cultures were absorbed and transportation improved we also soaked in the new-found knowledge that came with assimilation. Civilizations clashed and empires were taken down one-by-one. All great empire's eventually come to an end and ancient Greece was no exception. The baton was passed to Rome- and the balance of Europe began to grow. As a direct result of the utilization of resources for transportation, shelter, protection, and virtually everything else- tribes were able to prosper in any climate- however harsh. Vikings, Teutonic tribes, Mongols, Huns, were all able to not only survive but prosper in environments and regions that only centuries before would have been uninhabitable. The battle for resources continued and entire continents were virtually monopolized for their resource wealth. South America, for example, was colonized and exploited by the Spaniards and the Portuguese. Resources allowed Europe to be the center of wealth and power. Metals had become very important- as not only a source of wealth- but a source of weaponry- bow and arrows were no match for a musket or cannon- and soon indigenous tribes fell one by one to the hands of their captors. One group of settlers set out to take up residence in one of these newly-discovered lands- the land that most of us reading this blog are Citizens of, what is now known as the United States of America. These early settlers had to overcome some very rough conditions. The climate was unforgiving, the food supply often scarce, and we hadn't actually developed a good neighbor policy. As time went on- many of our early ancestors began resenting the exorbitant demands made by the British Throne- and revolted. A war was fought, and won- and a country was born. Life progressed rapidly in America and the entrepreneurial spirit was alive and well. Unlike our former countries- most of which passed royalty and privilege through generations- an American was free to be whomever or whatever he wanted to be. This was truly a blessed country where motivation not lineage would provide success. Along came the industrial age and our use of materials was never greater. Mass transportation, the ability to drill for oil, trains, planes, and automobiles sprang up during and shortly after this era. We were even able to record our experiences on film instead of canvas for the first time. Life was good. America- much like Ancient Greece was blessed by having large gaps of relative security. Yes, there were wars and skirmishes between the 'new Americans' and neighboring countries or indigenous tribes but these squabbles were usually over quickly and our country was always victorious. The population was still fairly minimal and resources of all types were abundant. We were on our way to becoming the wealthiest country in the world- all being driven by our use and utilization of resources. One of the things that allowed many to become wealthy was the relative lack of regulation on the part of the State and Federal Governments (something we could use more of today). Yes, some used this power to abuse and exploit, but there were also advancements and opportunities created in an unfettered environment. The 20th Century brought much progress and promise. In a generation we had evolved from an era of horses to planes, trains, automobiles, and transcontinental shipping. Growth and technological advancement during the Industrial Revolution grew exponentially. This brings us to the year 1908 which was the 1st time the Times Square ball was dropped at New Years. Things that had been unheard of or that were beyond a person's imagination were now happening on a monthly basis. Life looked good for America and much of the world. We will now take a break at 1908.
