(I started a similar topic today, but this is slightly different.)

What things are part of human nature itself, which can't be changed, and what things are accidents of fate or the result of years of propaganda and control? Some of this is seen by observing different cultures around the world. Travel overseas even once and you will see, for example, that the American way of doing things is NOT the only way.

It's amazing how much culture shapes one's way of thinking. Even fundamental things like individualism vs. collective.

For example, it is not inevitable that southern climates are more conservative, even though that's how it happened in America this go-round. There's nothing that says those who live in rural areas and/or farmers will be distracted primarily by sports or racing cars.

A lot of what we see in the world today is the result of a certain group of people -- sometimes called Red Sea Pedestrians -- and their actions to mold society over at least 300 years. It was not inevitable that the last "uncivilized" content would develop the way America did. Just one small turning point: it was not inevitable that slaves would be brought over from Africa, that only one country would exist from sea to shining sea, etc.

This isn't purely an academic exercise either -- because what will happen *in the future*?  

Read through a book like "The Knowledge: How to Rebuild Our World" and you'll see that things could *easily* develop in many different ways. Shortcuts could be taken, intermediate steps skipped.

I recommend you save off and read that book, BTW. I have attached it to this post.