[Swizec]

> I am wondering how getting frozen in medieval like time is even possible. Like, what are they _doing_?

Not discovering sources of cheap energy and other raw inputs. If you look carefully at history, every rapid period of growth was preceded by a discovery or conquest of cheap energy and resources. You need excess to grow towards the next equilibrium.

[achierius]

1400s Age of Explanation? 1200s Mongol Conquest? BC 100s Roman conquests of the Mediterranean?

None match that thesis

[Swizec]

They all do?

Age of exploration was powered by finding new sources of slaves and materials in the East (india, asia, also eastern europe to an extent)

The mongol conquest itself was capturing vast sources of wealth (easier to take from others than build yourself)

Same with Rome. Each new conquest brought more slaves and natural resources to the empire. It used this to fuel more expansion.