Question

Which of the following is true of Professor Jared Diamond's views regarding the influence of geography on history and cultural values?
1) The Sahara was a busy trade route before transoceanic shipping began.
2) African cultures dominated over the Euro-Asian cultures due to their superior technology.
3) Ambient temperature should be used as a market segmentation variable.
4) Before the advent of transoceanic shipping, ideas flowed over the Silk Road.
5) There are strong correlations between the latitude (climate) and the per capita GDP of countries.

Answer 1

Answer:

The views of Professor Jared Diamond are most closely associated with option 4: "Before the advent of transoceanic shipping, ideas flowed over the Silk Road."

Jared Diamond is known for his work in the fields of geography, anthropology, and environmental history. His book "Guns, Germs, and Steel" explores the role of geography and environmental factors in shaping the course of human history. In the book, he discusses the Silk Road as an ancient network of trade routes that facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and technologies between different civilizations before the era of transoceanic shipping.

Options 1, 2, 3, and 5 do not directly align with Jared Diamond's views as expressed in "Guns, Germs, and Steel":

1. The Sahara being a busy trade route is not a central theme in Diamond's work.

2. Diamond doesn't argue for African cultures dominating Euro-Asian cultures due to superior technology; his focus is on broader environmental and geographical factors.

3. Diamond's work is not specifically focused on using ambient temperature as a market segmentation variable.

5. While Diamond does discuss climate and geography, the statement about strong correlations between latitude (climate) and per capita GDP is not a direct emphasis in his work.

So, option 4 is the statement that aligns most closely with Professor Jared Diamond's views.