Comprehension
[Fifty] years after its publication in English [in 1972], and just a year since [Marshall] Sahlins himself died—we may ask: why did [his essay] "Original Affluent Society" have such an impact, and how has it fared since? ... Sahlins's principal argument was simple but counterintuitive: before being driven into marginal environments by colonial powers, huntergatherers, or foragers, were not engaged in a desperate struggle for meager survival. Quite the contrary, they satisfied their needs with far less work than people in agricultural and industrial societies, leaving them more time to use as they wished. Hunters, he quipped, keep bankers' hours. Refusing to maximize, many were "more concerned with games of chance than with chances of game." . . . The so-called Neolithic Revolution, rather than improving life, imposed a harsher work regime and set in motion the long history of growing inequality ...
Moreover, foragers had other options. The contemporary Hadza of Tanzania, who had long been surrounded by farmers, knew they had alternatives and rejected them. To Sahlins, this showed that foragers are not simply examples of human diversity or victimhood but something more profound: they demonstrated that societies make real choices. Culture, a way of living oriented around a distinctive set of values, manifests a fundamental principle of collective self-determination. . .
But the point [of the essay] is not so much the empirical validity of the data-the real interest for most readers, after all, is not in foragers either today or in the Paleolithic-but rather its conceptual challenge to contemporary economic life and bourgeois individualism. The empirical served a philosophical and political project, a thought experiment and stimulus to the imagination of possibilities.
With its title's nod toward The Affluent Society (1958), economist John Kenneth Galbraith's famously skeptical portrait of America's postwar prosperity and inequality, and dripping with New Left contempt for consumerism, "The Original Affluent Society" brought this critical perspective to bear on the contemporary world. It did so through the classic anthropological move of showing that radical alternatives to the readers' lives really exist. If the capitalist world seeks wealth through ever greater material production to meet infinitely expansive desires, foraging societies follow "the Zen road to affluence": not by getting more, but by wanting less. If it seems that foragers have been left behind by "progress," this is due only to the ethnocentric self-congratulation of the West. Rather than accumulate material goods, these societies are guided by other values: leisure, mobility, and above all, freedom. . .
Viewed in today's context, of course, not every aspect of the essay has aged well. While acknowledging the violence of colonialism, racism, and dispossession, it does not thematize them as heavily as we might today. Rebuking evolutionary anthropologists for treating present-day foragers as "left behind" by progress, it too can succumb to the temptation to use them as proxies for the Paleolithic. Yet these characteristics should not distract us from appreciating Sahlins's effort to show that if we want to conjure new possibilities, we need to learn about actually inhabitable worlds.
Moreover, foragers had other options. The contemporary Hadza of Tanzania, who had long been surrounded by farmers, knew they had alternatives and rejected them. To Sahlins, this showed that foragers are not simply examples of human diversity or victimhood but something more profound: they demonstrated that societies make real choices. Culture, a way of living oriented around a distinctive set of values, manifests a fundamental principle of collective self-determination. . .
But the point [of the essay] is not so much the empirical validity of the data-the real interest for most readers, after all, is not in foragers either today or in the Paleolithic-but rather its conceptual challenge to contemporary economic life and bourgeois individualism. The empirical served a philosophical and political project, a thought experiment and stimulus to the imagination of possibilities.
With its title's nod toward The Affluent Society (1958), economist John Kenneth Galbraith's famously skeptical portrait of America's postwar prosperity and inequality, and dripping with New Left contempt for consumerism, "The Original Affluent Society" brought this critical perspective to bear on the contemporary world. It did so through the classic anthropological move of showing that radical alternatives to the readers' lives really exist. If the capitalist world seeks wealth through ever greater material production to meet infinitely expansive desires, foraging societies follow "the Zen road to affluence": not by getting more, but by wanting less. If it seems that foragers have been left behind by "progress," this is due only to the ethnocentric self-congratulation of the West. Rather than accumulate material goods, these societies are guided by other values: leisure, mobility, and above all, freedom. . .
Viewed in today's context, of course, not every aspect of the essay has aged well. While acknowledging the violence of colonialism, racism, and dispossession, it does not thematize them as heavily as we might today. Rebuking evolutionary anthropologists for treating present-day foragers as "left behind" by progress, it too can succumb to the temptation to use them as proxies for the Paleolithic. Yet these characteristics should not distract us from appreciating Sahlins's effort to show that if we want to conjure new possibilities, we need to learn about actually inhabitable worlds.
Question: 1
We can infer that Sahlins's main goal in writing his essay was to:
We can infer that Sahlins's main goal in writing his essay was to:
Updated On: Aug 17, 2024
- hold a mirror to an acquisitive society, with examples of other communities that have chosen successfully to be non-materialistic.
- highlight the fact that while we started off as a fairly contented egalitarian people, we have progressively degenerated into materialism.
- counter Galbraith's pessimistic view of the inevitability of a capitalist trajectory for economic growth.
- put forth the view that, despite egalitarian origins, economic progress brings greater inequality and social hierarchies.
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
The passage highlights that Marshall Sahlins's primary intention when writing the essay was to serve as a mirror for an acquisitive society, which includes bourgeois individualism and contemporary economic life.The essay does this by giving instances of foraging societies that really chose to put values like freedom, mobility, and leisure ahead of material possessions. Sahlins compares the capitalist pursuit of wealth through material production and consumerism with the Zen path to affluence, which is attained by desiring less. As a result, Sahlins's objective—as stated in the passage—aligns with the notion of criticizing acquisitive societies by offering instances of communities that have successfully chosen non-materialistic paths. Thus, Option A is the correct answer.
Option B: Rather than claiming a progressive breakdown of society, the main focus is on exhibiting the values and choices of foraging societies.
Option C: Though Sahlins's essay criticizes several parts of modern economic theories, its main goal is to illustrate other alternatives by using instances of non-materialistic civilizations, rather than directly refuting Galbraith's pessimistic viewpoint.
Option D: Sahlin's essay focuses more on drawing comparisons between foraging societies and modern economic life, even though it acknowledges the rise in inequality and social hierarchies brought about by the Neolithic Revolution.
So, the correct option is (A): hold a mirror to an acquisitive society, with examples of other communities that have chosen successfully to be non-materialistic.
Option B: Rather than claiming a progressive breakdown of society, the main focus is on exhibiting the values and choices of foraging societies.
Option C: Though Sahlins's essay criticizes several parts of modern economic theories, its main goal is to illustrate other alternatives by using instances of non-materialistic civilizations, rather than directly refuting Galbraith's pessimistic viewpoint.
Option D: Sahlin's essay focuses more on drawing comparisons between foraging societies and modern economic life, even though it acknowledges the rise in inequality and social hierarchies brought about by the Neolithic Revolution.
So, the correct option is (A): hold a mirror to an acquisitive society, with examples of other communities that have chosen successfully to be non-materialistic.
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Question: 2
The author of the passage criticises Sahlins's essay for its:
The author of the passage criticises Sahlins's essay for its:
Updated On: Aug 17, 2024
- cursory treatment of the effects of racism and colonialism on societies.
- failure to supplement its thesis with robust empirical data.
- outdated values regarding present-day foragers versus ancient foraging communities.
- critique of anthropologists who disparage the choices of foragers in today's society.
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Looking at it from today's perspective, not every part of the essay has aged gracefully. Although it recognizes the violence of colonialism, racism, and dispossession, it doesn't emphasize them as much as we might now.
Option A is correct because the passage notes that not every part of Sahlins's essay has aged well when seen through today's lens. It points out that the essay doesn't delve deeply into topics like racism and colonialism, offering only a brief treatment of these crucial issues. The term "cursory treatment" indicates that the essay provides only a surface-level examination, prompting criticism for not addressing these important issues more thoroughly.
So, the correct option is (A) : cursory treatment of the effects of racism and colonialism on societies.
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Question: 3
The author of the passage mentions Galbraith's "The Affluent Society" to:
The author of the passage mentions Galbraith's "The Affluent Society" to:
Updated On: Aug 17, 2024
- document the influence of Galbraith's cynical views on modern consumerism on Sahlins's analysis of pre-historic societies.
- show how Galbraith's theories refute Sahlins's thesis on the contentment of prehuntergatherer communities.
- show how Sahlins's views complemented Galbraith's criticism of the consumerism and inequality of contemporary society.
- contrast the materialist nature of contemporary growth paths with the pacifist content ways of living among the foragers.
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The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
The passage directly states that Sahlins's essay, "The Original Affluent Society," offered a critical viewpoint on modern consumerism and inequality, echoing similar themes found in John Kenneth Galbraith's work, "The Affluent Society." It highlights that Sahlins's essay compares the values of foraging societies with the capitalist drive for wealth, indicating a parallel with Galbraith's skeptical portrayal of postwar affluence and inequality. Consequently, Option C correctly represents the passage's discussion of the connection between Sahlins's perspective and Galbraith's critique of contemporary society.
The passage doesn't propose that Galbraith's theories contradict Sahlins's thesis, but rather emphasizes their compatibility (Option B), nor does it center on comparing the lifestyle of foragers with Galbraith's perspectives on modern development paths (Option D).
The passage doesn't detail the impact of Galbraith's views on Sahlins's analysis; rather, it underscores how Sahlins's essay complements Galbraith's critical stance on modern society. Hence, Option A is also deemed inaccurate.
So, the correct option is (C) : show how Sahlins's views complemented Galbraith's criticism of the consumerism and inequality of contemporary society.
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Question: 4
The author mentions Tanzania's Hadza community to illustrate:
The author mentions Tanzania's Hadza community to illustrate:
Updated On: Aug 17, 2024
- how two vastly different ways of living and working were able to coexist in proximity for centuries.
- how pre-agrarian societies did not hamper the emergence of more advanced agrarian practices in contiguous communities
- that forager communities' lifestyles derived not from ignorance about alternatives, but from their own choice.
- that hunter-gatherer communities' subsistence-level techniques equipped them to survive well into contemporary times.
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The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Option C is the correct choice because the passage cites the Hadza community in Tanzania to demonstrate that forager societies, like the Hadza, don't fit into a straightforward narrative of human diversity or victimization. Instead, they actively make decisions about their lifestyle. The passage notes that despite living among farmers, the Hadza were aware of other options and deliberately chose to reject them. This example underscores that forager communities aren't limited by a lack of knowledge about alternatives; rather, their way of life stems from their own conscious decisions. Therefore, Option C accurately captures the essence of the Hadza example provided in the passage.
Option A: The passage doesn't particularly focus on the survival strategies of hunter-gatherer communities in modern times; instead, it highlights their decision-making processes and principles.
Option B: The passage doesn't address the Hadza community in relation to agricultural practices in nearby communities, rendering this option irrelevant to the example provided.
Option D: The passage doesn't indicate that the Hadza community lived alongside drastically different lifestyles and occupations for extended periods.
So, the correct option is (C) : that forager communities' lifestyles derived not from ignorance about alternatives, but from their own choice.
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Top Questions on Reading Comprehension
- Read the excerpt from a Handicrafts Manual: ‘Advanced Knitting Techniques’ and answer the following questions by choosing the most appropriate answer.
THE FAIR ISLE METHOD: Fair Isle knitting is a traditional technique that involves using two or more colours of yarn in a single row to create intricate patterns and designs. This method requires careful tension management to ensure even stitches and prevent puckering. To begin, select your colours and cast on the desired number of stitches. As you knit, alternate between colours every few stitches, carrying the unused yarn along the back of the work. Mastering the Fair Isle technique allows you to create stunning visual effects in garments, accessories, and home textiles.
THE CONTINENTAL STYLE: The Continental knitting style, often referred to as “picking,” involves holding the yarn in the left hand while the right hand manipulates the needles. This method allows for greater speed and efficiency, particularly when working with complex patterns or multiple colours. To practice this style, start by casting on your stitches and using your left hand to tension the yarn. With each stitch, simply “pick” the yarn with your right needle, forming a quick and fluid motion. As you become comfortable with this technique, you may find that your overall knitting speed and comfort improve significantly.
THE SHORT-ROW TECHNIQUE: Short-row knitting is an advanced technique that allows for the creation of shaped garments, such as sleeves and shoulders, without the need for complex shaping. To make a sleeve using this technique, begin by casting on the required number of stitches. Work a portion of the row, then turn your work and return without completing the full row to create the “short rows” that shape the curves of the sleeve. To prevent holes at the turn, wrap the stitch before you turn your work. Repeat this process as needed to achieve the desired shaping and dimension of the sleeve. Once you have shaped the sleeve, you can then sew the side seams to connect the pieces of your garment and finally, complete the edges to ensure a clean finish. This method not only helps shape curves but also adds dimension to your piece, allowing you to enhance fit and style.- AILET BALLB (Hons.) - 2025
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The Story of Coffee
Coffee, a beloved beverage enjoyed by millions around the globe, has a rich and captivating history that spans centuries. The story of coffee begins in the ancient highlands of Ethiopia, where, according to legend, a goat herder named Kaldi discovered the stimulating effects of coffee beans. One day, Kaldi noticed his goats frolicking with unusual energy after eating red berries from a certain tree. Curious, he tried the berries himself and experienced a newfound alertness. This discovery soon spread to monasteries, where monks used it to stay awake during long hours of prayer. From Ethiopia, coffee cultivation and consumption spread to the Arabian Peninsula, particularly in Yemen, where the practice of roasting coffee beans and brewing the drink began to take shape. By the 15th century, coffee had become a popular beverage in the Islamic world, with coffee houses known as ‘qahveh khaneh’ emerging as social hubs for conversation, music, and intellectual exchange. These coffee houses became centers of culture and commerce, influencing the spread of coffee to Turkey and beyond, eventually reaching Europe. In Europe, coffee initially faced resistance from religious authorities who considered it a ‘Muslim drink’ and tried to ban it. However, its popularity persisted, and by the 17th century, coffee houses had sprung up in major European cities, becoming important gathering places for artists, writers, and thinkers. The stimulating effects of coffee were embraced during the Age of Enlightenment, where it was seen as a catalyst for intellectual discussion and innovation. The journey of coffee continued with the establishment of colonial plantations in tropical regions such as the Caribbean, Central and South America, and Southeast Asia. These plantations fuelled the global demand for coffee, transforming it from a regional specialty to a major commodity. The industrial revolution further accelerated coffee production and consumption, leading to innovations in coffee brewing methods and the development of instant coffee. In the modern era, coffee has evolved into a deeply ingrained part of daily life for people worldwide. Its cultural significance spans from the bustling cafes of Paris to the quiet coffee farms of Colombia. Today, coffee remains not only a popular beverage but also a symbol of social interaction, productivity, and enjoyment. Whether sipped slowly over a conversation with friends or grabbed hastily on the way to work, the story of coffee continues to unfold, intertwining with the histories and cultures of countless societies across the globe.- AILET BALLB (Hons.) - 2025
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- Read the following passage and answer the following questions by choosing the most appropriate answer.
The intricate world of modern manufacturing is a web of precision and innovation, where even the tiniest components play a pivotal role. One such element, often overlooked but crucial, is the sub-subpart. Whether it’s a carpenter fashioning a bespoke piece of furniture or an automobile engineer designing the next generation of vehicles, the creation of sub-subparts is a fundamental process that demands meticulous craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology. In the realm of woodworking, carpenters frequently work with sub-subparts like dowels, screws, and hinges. These minute components may appear insignificant, yet they determine the structural integrity and functionality of the final product. Crafting a dowel, for instance, begins with selecting the appropriate wood species, followed by precision cutting and shaping. The result is a perfectly cylindrical, sturdy sub-subpart that seamlessly joins two larger pieces of wood. The advent of computer-aided design (CAD) and computer numerical control (CNC) machines has revolutionised this process, enabling carpenters to create sub-subparts with unparalleled precision.
Similarly, in the automobile industry, sub-subparts are the unsung heroes of vehicle construction. Take, for instance, the ball bearing—a minuscule but essential component in the wheels and transmission system. Manufacturing these precision-engineered spheres involves intricate processes like forging, heat treatment, and precision machining. Modern techniques such as laser cutting and 3D printing have streamlined production, ensuring that these sub-subparts meet the demanding standards of the automotive sector. The manufacturing of sub-subparts is a testament to the convergence of traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology. Whether it’s a carpenter’s workshop or a high-tech automotive assembly line, the quest for perfection in sub-subpart creation remains unwavering. The attention to detail and precision required in these processes is a testament to the dedication of craftsmen and engineers alike.
To conclude, while sub-subparts may be small in size, their significance in various industries cannot be overstated. Whether it’s a carpenter working on a timeless piece of furniture or an automotive engineer striving for superior performance, the manufacturing of sub-subparts is a crucial step towards achieving excellence in craftsmanship and technology. This fusion of tradition and innovation accentuates the essence of modern manufacturing.- AILET BALLB (Hons.) - 2025
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- Read the book descriptions for three different books and answer the questions by choosing the most appropriate options.
\(\text{The Politics of Change}\) \(\text{The Change in Politics}\) \(\text{Politics and Change:}\) A Global Perspective} In "The Politics of Change," political analyst Dr. Emily Harper examines the dynamics of social movements and their impact on policy reform. Through detailed case studies, she explores how grassroots organizations, protests, and advocacy campaigns shape public opinion and influence lawmakers. Dr. Harper provides insights into the strategies that successful movements employ and discusses the challenges they face in a complex political landscape. She discusses key strategies, such as coalition-building, media engagement, and the use of digital platforms to amplify voices. This book by veteran journalist Mark Stevens investigates the shifting political landscape in the 21st century. Focusing on major elections, emerging political parties, and the role of social media, Stevens analyzes how technology and demographics are transforming political engagement and voter behaviour. Through interviews with political leaders, campaign strategists, and everyday voters, Stevens uncovers how demographic shifts and technological advancements are reshaping political discourse in urban areas. He analyzes the implications of these changes for traditional political institutions and explores how movements like #MeToo and Black Lives Matter have disrupted conventional narratives. In this insightful work, international relations scholar Dr. Anika Patel presents a global analysis of political change across various regions. She explores the factors that drive political transitions, including economic shifts, cultural movements, and international influences. Dr. Patel emphasizes the interconnectedness of global politics and how local changes can have far-reaching implications. She analyzes various factors driving political transitions, including economic upheaval, cultural shifts, and the impact of globalization. She provides case studies from diverse regions, such as the Arab Spring, democratic movements in Latin America, and shifts in power in Asia. The book serves as a vital resource for understanding the complexities of political evolution in a rapidly changing world. - AILET BALLB (Hons.) - 2025
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Since reproductive success is the most critical factor in the sustainability of any species, the extent of this threat to marine life and genetic diversity can hardly be overstated. After several months in hypoxic waters, female fish produce fewer eggs. Moreover, hypoxic conditions serve to alter the normal ratio between two particular hormones manufactured during the embryonic stage when a fish's gender is determined. During gestation and under these conditions, the mother produces more testosterone (and less estradiol), which inhibits the development of female reproductive organs and other female characteristics in the embryo, while promoting the development of male traits.
The implications of declining oxygen levels extend beyond individual species to entire ecosystems. Marine biodiversity is at risk as species that cannot adapt to hypoxic conditions may face extinction, leading to a cascade of effects throughout the food web. Predators may struggle to find adequate prey, while other marine organisms, such as coral reefs, which rely on healthy fish populations for symbiotic relationships, may also deteriorate. The loss of biodiversity can disrupt ecosystem services that are essential for human communities, including fisheries, tourism, and coastal protection.- AILET BALLB (Hons.) - 2025
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