When agriculture began to spread around the globe, farmers had an easier time expanding along east-west routes than along north-south ones.This is because locations along the same latitude generally share similar climates, amounts of sunlight and rainfall, and changes in season.These factors allowed farmers in Europe and Asia to domesticate a few crops and grow them along the entire stretch of land from France to China.By comparison, the climate varies greatly when traveling from north to south.Just imagine how different the weather is in Florida compared to Canada.You can be the most talented farmer in the world, but it won’t help you grow Florida oranges in the Canadian winter.Snow is a poor substitute for soil.In order to spread crops along north-south routes, farmers would need to find and domesticate new plants whenever the climate changed.As a result, agriculture spread two to three times faster across Asia and Europe than it did up and down the Americas.Over the span of centuries, this small difference had a very big impact.Increased food production allowed for more rapid population growth.With more people, these cultures were able to build stronger armies and were better equipped to develop new technologies.The changes started out small—a crop that spread slightly farther, a population that grew slightly faster—but compounded into substantial differences over time.The spread of agriculture provides an example of the 3rd Law of Behavior Change on a global scale.Conventional wisdom holds that motivation is the key to habit change.Maybe if you really wanted it, you’d actually do it.But the truth is, our real motivation is to be lazy and to do what is convenient.And despite what the latest productivity best seller will tell you, this is a smart strategy, not a dumb one.
As a result, agriculture spread two to three times faster across Asia and Europe than it did up and down the Americas.
因此,农业在亚洲和欧洲横向传播的速度,是在美洲南北向传播速度的两到三倍。
as a result/æz ə rɪˈzʌlt/
phr. 因此;结果
Ex: As a result, they changed the plan.
例句翻译:因此,他们改变了计划。 分析:承接因果链:因为前面条件差异,所以出现传播速度差。
two to three times/tuː tə θriː taɪmz/
phr. 两到三倍
Ex: It became two to three times faster.
例句翻译:它变快了两到三倍。 分析:数量级对比表达,强调差距并不小。
across/əˈkrɔːs/
prep. 横跨;遍及
Ex: News spread across the country.
例句翻译:消息传遍全国。 分析:这里强调“横向贯穿大陆”的扩散。
up and down/ʌp ænd daʊn/
phr. 上上下下;南北向来回(这里指纵向)
Ex: They traveled up and down the coast.
例句翻译:他们沿海岸南北往返。 分析:与 across 对照,表达纵向传播。
Over the span of centuries, this small difference had a very big impact.
经过数百年,这个小差异产生了极其巨大的影响。
over the span of/ˌoʊvər ðə spæn əv/
phr. 在……的跨度内;经过……时间
Ex: Over the span of years, habits change.
例句翻译:经过多年,习惯会改变。 分析:强调长时间尺度的累积效应。
centuries/ˈsentʃəriz/
n. 数百年;世纪(复数)
Ex: Centuries of change shaped culture.
例句翻译:数百年的变化塑造了文化。 分析:用来强调“非常长”的时间尺度。
impact/ˈɪmpækt/
n. 影响
Ex: The impact was profound.
例句翻译:影响很深远。 分析:have an impact 指产生后果或改变。
Increased food production allowed for more rapid population growth.
粮食产量增加,使人口更快速增长。
increased/ɪnˈkriːst/
adj. 增加的;上升的
Ex: Increased demand raised prices.
例句翻译:需求增加推高了价格。 分析:increased + 名词,表示数量上升后的状态。
production/prəˈdʌkʃn/
n. 生产;产量
Ex: Food production is rising.
例句翻译:粮食产量在上升。 分析:这里指农业产出量,与人口供给直接相关。
allowed for/əˈlaʊd fɔːr/
phr. 使得……成为可能
Ex: The budget allowed for new hires.
例句翻译:预算使得新招聘成为可能。 分析:强调“提供条件/空间”,不是直接导致。
rapid/ˈræpɪd/
adj. 快速的
Ex: Rapid growth can be risky.
例句翻译:快速增长可能有风险。 分析:rapid population growth 指人口迅速增长。
With more people, these cultures were able to build stronger armies and were better equipped to develop new technologies.
人口更多,这些文化就能建立更强大的军队,也更有条件发展新技术。
cultures/ˈkʌltʃərz/
n. 文化;文明(复数)
Ex: Different cultures value different things.
例句翻译:不同文化重视不同事物。 分析:这里更接近“文明/社会体系”,不仅是习俗。
equipped/ɪˈkwɪpt/
adj. 有装备的;有能力的
Ex: They were well equipped for the task.
例句翻译:他们有能力完成这项任务。 分析:better equipped to do = 更有条件/更能胜任。
develop/dɪˈveləp/
v. 发展;研发
Ex: Develop new tools.
例句翻译:研发新工具。 分析:这里指技术进步、创新与研发。
technologies/tekˈnɑːlədʒiz/
n. 技术(复数)
Ex: New technologies changed farming.
例句翻译:新技术改变了农业。 分析:复数表示多种技术领域的发展。
The changes started out small—a crop that spread slightly farther, a population that grew slightly faster—but compounded into substantial differences over time.