It's an interesting thought experiment to think of where we might be culturally and intellectually had there been an actual exchange of thought, without rulers

It's an interesting thought experiment to think of where we might be culturally and intellectually had there been an actual exchange of thought, without rulers taking advantage of people for profit. We can say the same thing even now, but back then it seems like those ideas are what built the foundation of our modern world. If that exchange had been allowed to flourish, we might be a much more civilized world.