The past was still a Golden Age, of ignorance, while the present is an Iron Age of willful bliss

The past was still a Golden Age, of ignorance, while the present is an Iron Age of willful bliss

In his book "Guns, Germs, and Steel," Jared Diamond explores the factors that have shaped human history and the disparities between different societies. One of the key themes in his work is the idea that the past was a Golden Age of ignorance, while the present is an Iron Age of willful bliss.

Diamond argues that in the past, societies were largely ignorant of the factors that determined their success or failure. They lacked the knowledge and understanding of the natural world that would allow them to make informed decisions about how to improve their lives. As a result, they were often at the mercy of forces beyond their control, such as disease, climate change, and the actions of other societies.