Conversation

Replying to
I don’t think they’re a stable concept except in very weird geographies. Cities need too many resources and are too attractive to hinterlands to leave alone.
3
45
I think we like city states for the same reason we like toys. Especially adult ones like complex model railroads. It’s like full-scale sim city.
2
43
Also there are zero “hinterland states” with no cities. Those are even less stable. Only chocolate chip cookie topologies work.
5
36
I think the single biggest problem is water. If you invent really cheap desal, tons of coastal cities would be viable as states
11
51
Show replies