Matt Ridley presents the concept of cumulative-group knowledge—created through exchange. Ridley, moreover, claims prosperity through numbers. The inclusion of David Ricardo’s theory—which Ridley adapted to a stone-age version, makes Ridley’s points persuasive. Within Ricardo’s concept trade inevitably benefits both parties involved in the long run. By adding this concept Ridley exhibits the benefits of trade, which he follows up with more situations such as creating light. The fact that Ridley includes Tasmania, a societal group whose technological advancement wasn’t only slowed down but regressed after being cut off from exchange is also a very persuasive example. In a video that focuses on communication and exchange, I believe that Ridley should have included how new means of communication, Twitter, email, video calls, and so on of the present compare to those in the past. By doing so it would show how the rate of exchanging ideas is linked to how fast change in technology happens. This video relates to my future career since I hope to be communicating my ideas with a law team.
