How an 18th century English inventor, an ancient inland sea, a Philadelphia-based marketing guru, and relentless geological forces combined to create dazzling, bloody conflict.
The best use of a diamond is as a cutting tool. And there, Brian, is yet another forking path as industrial diamonds used for cutting and other manufacturing and cutting needs is a technological innovation that allows us to use new materials and be able to make clean and precise cuts that otherwise would be much more difficult and expensive.
Oh, and by the way, did you know that Kimberly was the first city outside NYC and Edison’s first power station to have its own power station and electricity network for street lighting? I believe it was 1882. Having worked in power and gas for coming up on 30 years now, in different countries around the world, that is a fascinating little factoid. Why Kimberly? Diamonds and gold of course.
Geography and geology are far from destiny. It is the decisions that humans make given those factors that make all the difference. It is also the context of times that make a difference as well. There are so many examples, but one that sticks out in my mind is Argentina. It is a rich, fertile land and in 1900 was the third largest economy on the world (if memory serves me) with a thriving pluralistic and democratic society. It’s trajectory was nowhere but up! Yet, with the Peronistas, the country never really recovered entirely. So many advantages, but something happens along the way. That something is driven by people and decisions and group psychology that cannot be predicted even modeled, per se. Yet there are lessons learned...though each of us takes away different lessons.
I had no idea about the power station. That’s amazing. Thanks for sharing, Paul! And yes, it’s definitely the interaction effects between humans and the lottery of Earth, though I do think that most contemporary history scholarship does underplay geographic and geological factors too much. Others disagree strongly with me, so who knows if I’m right, but that’s my subjective opinion.
Loved this, never struck me that how the diamonds surfaced could have such an impact. I generally find your writing fascinating but this one really struck a chord having lived in Benin and (unfortunately), had dealings with a family who were involved in some very suspect diamonds dealings via the CAR. Keep them coming, thank you.
Yet another forking path, Brian! And to continue down that forking path, the state owned utility, ESKOM, that was once a shining example in power systems in Africa, is now engaged in constant rolling blackouts and cannot ensure security of supply a mere 20 years after extending electricity access to most citizens in the post-apartheid era! Why? All about human and group decision making, political priorities (not in a good way) that has lead to this terrible moment.
This is a truly fascinating and thought provoking perspective. Thank you!
Brought to mind a great exhibit at the Whitney in NYC I just visited…Jeane Quick-To-See Smith, Native American artist hitting on many of these themes from a Native American perspective. Truly moving work. Check it out if you can.
i’m also hitting similar themes as I write up a piece about the rise and fall of Southern New Jersey industry, centered around Delaware bay fishery and vegetable canning for a local food pub. The industry got totally screwed up by pressures of population explosion and industrial pollution upriver killing the bay’s productivity and the state’s image as a wholesome food producer. Its clear to me after a lot of research that this decline and lack of leadership addressing it directly relates to the appeal of Trump’s populism in Southern NJ. The decline is truly stark. And easily ignored even though its right next door to huge population centers Philly and NYC. “Drive over country”
The best use of a diamond is as a cutting tool. And there, Brian, is yet another forking path as industrial diamonds used for cutting and other manufacturing and cutting needs is a technological innovation that allows us to use new materials and be able to make clean and precise cuts that otherwise would be much more difficult and expensive.
Oh, and by the way, did you know that Kimberly was the first city outside NYC and Edison’s first power station to have its own power station and electricity network for street lighting? I believe it was 1882. Having worked in power and gas for coming up on 30 years now, in different countries around the world, that is a fascinating little factoid. Why Kimberly? Diamonds and gold of course.
Geography and geology are far from destiny. It is the decisions that humans make given those factors that make all the difference. It is also the context of times that make a difference as well. There are so many examples, but one that sticks out in my mind is Argentina. It is a rich, fertile land and in 1900 was the third largest economy on the world (if memory serves me) with a thriving pluralistic and democratic society. It’s trajectory was nowhere but up! Yet, with the Peronistas, the country never really recovered entirely. So many advantages, but something happens along the way. That something is driven by people and decisions and group psychology that cannot be predicted even modeled, per se. Yet there are lessons learned...though each of us takes away different lessons.
I had no idea about the power station. That’s amazing. Thanks for sharing, Paul! And yes, it’s definitely the interaction effects between humans and the lottery of Earth, though I do think that most contemporary history scholarship does underplay geographic and geological factors too much. Others disagree strongly with me, so who knows if I’m right, but that’s my subjective opinion.
Loved this, never struck me that how the diamonds surfaced could have such an impact. I generally find your writing fascinating but this one really struck a chord having lived in Benin and (unfortunately), had dealings with a family who were involved in some very suspect diamonds dealings via the CAR. Keep them coming, thank you.
Yet another forking path, Brian! And to continue down that forking path, the state owned utility, ESKOM, that was once a shining example in power systems in Africa, is now engaged in constant rolling blackouts and cannot ensure security of supply a mere 20 years after extending electricity access to most citizens in the post-apartheid era! Why? All about human and group decision making, political priorities (not in a good way) that has lead to this terrible moment.
So, boundary conditions are not only important in Physics but in History, too.
This is a truly fascinating and thought provoking perspective. Thank you!
Brought to mind a great exhibit at the Whitney in NYC I just visited…Jeane Quick-To-See Smith, Native American artist hitting on many of these themes from a Native American perspective. Truly moving work. Check it out if you can.
i’m also hitting similar themes as I write up a piece about the rise and fall of Southern New Jersey industry, centered around Delaware bay fishery and vegetable canning for a local food pub. The industry got totally screwed up by pressures of population explosion and industrial pollution upriver killing the bay’s productivity and the state’s image as a wholesome food producer. Its clear to me after a lot of research that this decline and lack of leadership addressing it directly relates to the appeal of Trump’s populism in Southern NJ. The decline is truly stark. And easily ignored even though its right next door to huge population centers Philly and NYC. “Drive over country”
Cheers!
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/20/arts/design/jaune-quick-to-see-smith-whitney-art.html