Ep 1. Out of Eden

In episode 1 of season 1, titled "Out of Eden," Guns, Germs, & Steel explores the beginning of human civilization and the factors that led certain societies to dominate others. Jared Diamond, the host and narrator of the show, starts his journey in Papua New Guinea, where he meets with indigenous tribes and studies their way of life. He then contrasts this with the western world's way of life, which has developed technologies such as guns, metallurgy, and mechanization.

Diamond explains that the reason why Europeans and Asians conquered other parts of the world is primarily due to geography, environment, and natural resources. Because these countries had access to agricultural resources and could domesticate animals, they were able to accumulate wealth, develop complex societies and technologies, and spread diseases that the less developed societies were not used to. This advantage allowed them to colonize and dominate other parts of the world.

Diamond also considers the 'differences between the fates of human societies. He tries to understand why there are such disparities between various communities and cultures, including the separation of the "New World" (North and South America) from the "Old World" (Eurasia and Africa).

Throughout the episode, Diamond makes a case for why geography plays such a crucial role in determining the course of human civilization. He walks viewers through different examples of societies that had access to different types of resources and technologies, including Papua New Guinea's mountainous terrain and limited resources. Diamonds argues that due to these factors, the various tribes found it easier to hunt and gather rather than farm. In contrast, farming played a more critical role in shaping the history of civilizations like Europe and Asia.

Overall, "Out of Eden" is an insightful look at the origins of human societies and what factors helped certain groups of people dominate others. It asks big questions about how geography, environment, and natural resource availability have impacted human history, and provides an engaging and informative exploration of the theories behind why various societies have developed so differently over time. It sets the tone for the rest of the season, which explores the role of guns, germs, and steel in shaping the world as we know it.