A very interesting article. However it is sometimes possible to overlook the basics and over-theorise about things: 1) Having ~50% of the population forcibly d

A very interesting article. However it is sometimes possible to overlook the basics and over-theorise about things: 1) Having ~50% of the population forcibly disabled probably did not help: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foot_binding http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foot_binding 2) The importance of glass cannot be underestimated. Particularly when it comes to spectacles. It is something like two thirds of the population that wear glasses or contact lenses in the west. Being able to see is a prerequisite for so many things like being able to read. Being able to read is a prerequisite for so many things like being able to do science. Being able to do science is a prerequisite for an advanced civilisation. Sure it took a while for glasses to be available to all, however, in the West it was feasibly possible to get glasses - not the case in China.