4. For more than 4,000 years after cheese production started, Europeans had high incidence of lactose intolerance. Genetics changed slowly.
-
-
Replying to @HeerJeet
5. Speculation: domestication of cows had a long term effect on European genetics, allowing European adults able to consume milk.
4 replies 2 retweets 6 likes -
Replying to @HeerJeet
6. Now think back to the classic question that engaged Weber: why did industrial capitalism emerge in Europe & not elsewhere.
3 replies 5 retweets 7 likes -
Replying to @HeerJeet
7. For Weber, the answer was Protestantism, leading to a work ethic of deferred gratification.
1 reply 3 retweets 5 likes -
Replying to @HeerJeet
8. One Marxist response to Weber is to say he got causation wrong: it was emerging capitalism that led to rise of Protestantism.
1 reply 4 retweets 10 likes -
Replying to @HeerJeet
9. But both the Marxist and Weberian analysis ignores the role played by cows.
8 replies 47 retweets 95 likes -
Replying to @HeerJeet
10. Think about what dairy farming means: getting up early at the same time every day, submitting to the schedule of the cow.
2 replies 6 retweets 15 likes -
Replying to @HeerJeet
11. Would the Swiss have developed such precise watches if they didn't have to obey the biological commands of the cow.
4 replies 14 retweets 21 likes -
Replying to @HeerJeet
12. What's the prototypical protestant capitalist society? Holland. Also home of the Holstein Friesians & other splendid bovine creatures
1 reply 6 retweets 11 likes -
Replying to @HeerJeet
13. To paraphrase Diogenes, the farmer thinks he owns the cow, but it's the cow that owns the farmer.
3 replies 8 retweets 23 likes
14. While the cow was able to reshape Europe, it's plans were frustrated in other regions of the world.
-
-
Replying to @HeerJeet
14. North Africa, where humans also became lactose tolerant, lacked sufficient grazing capacity for massive dairy production.
3 replies 2 retweets 4 likes -
Replying to @HeerJeet
15. In India, the religious mystique surrounding cows joined with lactose intolerance. In China, lactose intolerance alone did the job.
3 replies 1 retweet 6 likes - Show replies
New conversation -
Loading seems to be taking a while.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.