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I would argue that coordinating efforts of thousands of people is freakishly complicated. People aren't machines and respond to incentives in nontrivial ways.
by inglor_cz 2y ago
I would argue that coordinating efforts of thousands of people is freakishly complicated. People aren't machines and respond to incentives in nontrivial ways.
Anyone who is physically healthy can carry a stone, but few places in the world built the pyramids.
Analogically, anyone with two hands can type something on a keyboard, the hard part is getting a useful software product out of this typing.
Even outside the commercial sphere, leaders of such complicated projects are famous, such as Linus Torvalds.
- lupusreal 2y agoThe cultures that didn't build pyramids were probably more intelligently managed, at least generally. The pyramids had no practical value, at best they were a jobs program to keep workers busy between growing seasons, but there are much better projects to work on if keeping busy is the goal (for instance, build roads, canals, irrigation trenches, etc.)
- inglor_cz 2y agoIt is not as if Ancient Egypt didn't build complicated irrigation systems too. There is survivorship bias embedded in your reply. Pyramids are extremely durable, so we can still see them and judge them. Cultures that didn't build them could well spend their money and effort on some other status symbols, which were more transient. Like huge events (balls etc.) held for the royalty.
- Andrew_nenakhov 2y agoPyramids had a lot of value. Ancient people were superstitious to the highest degree, and knew that victory always goes to whoever is favoured by the Gods. So, seeing these immense structures, Egypt's enemies knew that any raid on Egypt would be futile, as Egyptian gods would surely help their faithful followers who made them such magnificent gift.