Page 201 - Russian History Viewed through Distorted Mirrors, Vol. 1

Nicolai Levashov. Russian History Viewed through Distorted Mirrors. Vol. 1

into the biomass. Kelps and green algae have a biological coefficient of 1.5-2%, and
the angiosperms — 10%. The richness of the ecological system in the era of the angi-
osperms cannot even be compared to that of the ecological system in the era of
brown-green algae. But, how does all this relate to the economy and development of
a civilization? On the face of it, it may seem strange, but it has the most direct rela-
tion. We have only to look closely at it and we will discover a lot of connections and
similitude.

First, man himself occupies a certain niche in the ecological system of the plan-
et.

Second, being an omnivorous species, man consumes both vegetable and animal
biomass.

One way or another, man obeys all laws of the ecological system, no matter
whether he wants to or not, understands them or not. Everybody must consume a cer-
tain amount of biomass every day in order to maintain life and health. The fact that
one person will require more food (biomass) than another — is quite unimportant
here. Also, the ratio of vegetable to meat in man’s food ration is of no importance ei-
ther: it can vary from season to season, from people to people. What is really im-
portant is the food should provide man with all necessities for a full-fledged and fruit-
ful life. Both king and peasant must eat every day; they should have something edi-
ble. It is not important that a king does not get his “daily bread” personally, and a
peasant does not settle public matters or hold sway over the destinies of people. They
both must eat every day, preferably, two or three times a day. And there should be
enough food for everyone in order to support the health of the people or nation. How-
ever, in order to get this state of affairs, there must be enough farmers, fishermen,
hunters, cattle breeders, etc.; in other words, those who get the daily bread by the
sweat of their brow for themselves and their families, for blacksmiths and carpenters,
for tailors, potters, warriors and their families, including kings with courtiers and
servants. All who do not produce food, but only use what others have provided, from
a king to a potter, would die of hunger without the “bread-getters”.

Does this mean that all of them are social parasites? Let us not jump to conclu-
sions and calmly examine the subject. A blacksmith makes tools for a grain-grower
and a fisherman, a hunter and a cattle breeder; all are directly related to the produc-
tion of food. Without these tools, they would have to spend much more time labour-
ing and, at best, could be able only to feed their own families. Only because of a
blacksmith’s abilities, talents and experience, and often because of the experience of
many generations of blacksmiths, was he able to create perfect tools for “bread-
getters”. Moreover, he forges the weapons with which the warriors are able to protect
him, as well as the grain-grower, potter, fisherman and king from external and inter-
nal enemies. A tailor makes clothes for everyone, etc. It would seem that a king with
his court gets into the category of a social parasite. However, let us not come to hasty
conclusions. In order to repulse an attack of external and internal enemies, one must
gather all warriors together, teach them to battle together, lead them, find the best tac-
tical and strategic solutions to defeat the enemy and lose as few warriors as possible,
who were trained, by the way, for many years, and to avoid or minimize the deaths of

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