Jared Diamond

Epic Jared Diamond - Geographer, Historian, Biologist, Ornithologist, Author

What’s Jared Diamond up to now?

Jared Diamond is an American scientist who has achieved a rare level of success as a polymath. He has made significant contributions to a wide range of fields, including geography, history, biology, ornithology, and anthropology. Diamond is best known for his books "Guns, Germs, and Steel" (1997) and "Collapse" (2005), which have sold millions of copies worldwide and have been translated into more than 30 languages.

Diamond’s Early Life and Education

Jared Diamond was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1937. His father was a physician, and his mother was a concert pianist. Diamond attended Harvard University, where he studied biochemistry. After graduating from Harvard, he earned a medical degree from Harvard Medical School and completed a residency in internal medicine.

While working as a physician, Diamond became increasingly interested in the natural world. He began studying ornithology, and in 1964, he published his first scientific paper, which was about the distribution of birds in New Guinea.

Diamond’s Career

In 1966, Diamond accepted a position as a professor of physiology at the University of California, Los Angeles. He continued to conduct research on birds, and he also began to study the history of human societies.

In 1997, Diamond published his book "Guns, Germs, and Steel." The book explores the reasons why some societies have been more successful than others. Diamond argues that the success of a society is not due to inherent racial or cultural superiority but rather to environmental factors such as access to resources and the presence of disease.

"Guns, Germs, and Steel" was a critical and commercial success. It won the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction and was named one of the 100 most influential books of the 20th century by the New York Times.

In 2005, Diamond published his book "Collapse." The book examines the reasons why some societies have collapsed. Diamond argues that societies collapse when they fail to adapt to environmental change or when they overexploit their resources.

"Collapse" was also a critical and commercial success. It won the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction and was named one of the 100 most influential books of the 21st century by the Guardian.

Diamond’s Legacy

Jared Diamond is one of the most influential scientists of our time. His work has helped us to understand the history of human societies and the challenges that we face today.

Diamond is a strong advocate for environmental conservation. He believes that we must take action to protect the planet for future generations.

Diamond is also a gifted writer. His books are clear, concise, and engaging. He has a knack for explaining complex scientific concepts in a way that is accessible to general readers.

Jared Diamond is a true Renaissance man. He is a scientist, a historian, a biologist, an ornithologist, an anthropologist, and a writer. He has made significant contributions to our understanding of the world around us.

Additional Information

Here are some additional facts about Jared Diamond:

• Diamond is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Philosophical Society.
• Diamond has received numerous awards for his work, including the Pulitzer Prize, the MacArthur Fellowship, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
• Diamond is a vocal critic of US foreign policy. He has written extensively about the dangers of nuclear weapons and the need for environmental conservation.