Actually, he backs up his claims with pretty hard data. He draws conclusion from a wide variety of metrics and evidence like core samples, records, tool use, ge

Actually, he backs up his claims with pretty hard data. He draws conclusion from a wide variety of metrics and evidence like core samples, records, tool use, geological standing, possible trade relations, genetic sampling etc. You really need to read him. Check his wikipedia page out ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jared_Diamond http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jared_Diamond ) >>>are at a much earlier phase of technology<<< Ironically, our ancestors said analogous things. Are we truly that different?