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I'm really skeptical of this kind of claim. Gutenberg's invention was undoubtedly critical to development of the West but the following "consequences" are anac

I'm really skeptical of this kind of claim. Gutenberg's invention was undoubtedly critical to development of the West but the following "consequences" are anachronisms: * Protestantism - Luther was the culmination of a series of heretical revolts against orthodox Catholicism that included the Cathari, Waldensians, Hussites, and many others. German nationalism and corruption of the Roman Church were important factors in his success. * Colonialism -- Practiced by the Carthaginians and Greeks throughout the Mediterranean. * Slavery -- A long and ugly story documented in texts like the Bible, Homer, and many others dating to the beginning of recorded history. It was pervasive in classical Mediterranean civilizations. * Democracy -- Classical examples of full democracy: Athens, Corinth, Megara, Syracuse, Rome. Medieval examples of proto-democracies: Swiss Cantons, Venice, Hanseatic League cities, etc. What Gutenberg did achieve was lay the foundation for widespread literacy by making books cheaper and more available than at any previous point in European history. That alone is a major accomplishment.

hutzlibu 6y ago
"Classical examples of full democracy: Athens, Corinth, Megara, Syracuse, Rome. " It seems we have a big difference in the definition of "full democracy".
- hodgesrm 6y ago
  Perhaps 'relevant' is a better word. Classical city states provided models to democratic movements of the 18th and 19th century. Cicero's example and writings were studied carefully, just to name one of many. [1] They obviously weren't the only sources; the English and Americans in particular offered a wealth of homegrown innovations for study. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cicero#Legacy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cicero#Legacy
wombatmobile 6y ago
> What Gutenberg did achieve was lay the foundation for widespread literacy That's a start. Now consider the content of what people read. Accounting 101 Democracy 101 Science 101, 102, 103, 201, 202, 203, 301, 302, 303 etc. The word of God, localised in a dozen languages What might be the impact of this content on people's thoughts and practices? Then think about how commerce works. Have you ever been part of a company that has raised funds on the stock market, or sold goods internationally? Can you imagine doing either of those things without the invention of the printing press?

hutzlibu 6y ago

"Classical examples of full democracy: Athens, Corinth, Megara, Syracuse, Rome. " It seems we have a big difference in the definition of "full democracy".

hodgesrm 6y ago
Perhaps 'relevant' is a better word. Classical city states provided models to democratic movements of the 18th and 19th century. Cicero's example and writings were studied carefully, just to name one of many. [1] They obviously weren't the only sources; the English and Americans in particular offered a wealth of homegrown innovations for study. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cicero#Legacy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cicero#Legacy

wombatmobile 6y ago

> What Gutenberg did achieve was lay the foundation for widespread literacy That's a start. Now consider the content of what people read. Accounting 101 Democracy 101 Science 101, 102, 103, 201, 202, 203, 301, 302, 303 etc. The word of God, localised in a dozen languages What might be the impact of this content on people's thoughts and practices? Then think about how commerce works. Have you ever been part of a company that has raised funds on the stock market, or sold goods internationally? Can you imagine doing either of those things without the invention of the printing press?