SEVENTEEN: WHAT’S LEFT TO EXPLAIN?
The emergence of significant figures in history, especially from the Renaissance to the mid-20th century, is influenced by several factors like peace, prosperity, and political freedom. However, these factors do not provide a complete explanation. There are noticeable differences between the actual and expected number of significant figures, indicating that many reasons for their emergence are still not understood. For example, even though conditions improved in the 19th and 20th centuries, the number of significant accomplishments declined.
Existing models show limitations, particularly when applied to accomplishments outside of Europe, because the same economic and political factors don’t work everywhere. A key question is what starts and stops periods of significant achievement. While there is a connection between past accomplishments and future success, this does not explain how these accomplishments begin in the first place. More exploration is needed to understand why these successful periods begin and why they eventually come to an end, as it remains difficult to pinpoint these reasons despite knowing how they progress once they start.
The emergence of significant figures in history, especially from the Renaissance to the mid-20th century, is influenced by several factors like peace, prosperity, and political freedom. However, these factors do not provide a complete explanation. There are noticeable differences between the actual and expected number of significant figures, indicating that many reasons for their emergence are still not understood. For example, even though conditions improved in the 19th and 20th centuries, the number of significant accomplishments declined.
Existing models show limitations, particularly when applied to accomplishments outside of Europe, because the same economic and political factors don’t work everywhere. A key question is what starts and stops periods of significant achievement. While there is a connection between past accomplishments and future success, this does not explain how these accomplishments begin in the first place. More exploration is needed to understand why these successful periods begin and why they eventually come to an end, as it remains difficult to pinpoint these reasons despite knowing how they progress once they start.