# life: trace the rise and fall of inequality in China (over 5,000 years)

<< The rise and fall of inequality in the west has been studied in detail by eminent economists such as Simon Kuznets and Thomas Piketty. But China offers a chance to go much further back in time, having maintained a unified identity and unique language for more than 5,000 years – as well as some extraordinarily detailed dynastic archives. >>

<< Using these, a team of economists including the author of (Their) latest Insights long read, Peng Zhou from Cardiff University, set out to trace the impact of technological advances – from the revolutionary iron plough to block printing and imperial exams – on inequality in China’s imperial dynasties spanning two millennia. >>

<< Their conclusions have some fascinating implications for today’s technological panic over the rise of AI. As we stand at the edge of this latest technological cliff, history whispers: “Calm down. You’ve been here before.” >>

Mike Herd. The Daily. theconversation.com. UK Edition. Apr 25, 2025.

https://theconversationuk.cmail20.com/t/r-e-thdttlkt-ukutudjrtl-r/

Peng Zhou. What 2,000 years of Chinese history reveals about today’s AI-driven technology panic – and the future of inequality. theconversation.com. Apr 24, 2025.

https://theconversation.com/what-2-000-years-of-chinese-history-reveals-about-todays-ai-driven-technology-panic-and-the-future-of-inequality-254505

Also: Are you ready for all this?  in https://www.inkgmr.net/kwrds.html 

Keywords: life, oops, are you ready for all this