This is a link to the most fantastic teaching video on the advance of civilization I have ever seen. Hans Rosling has an innovative way of presenting pure data in a captivating and memorable way. You could read many books and earn lots of college credit to get the understanding that this 4 minute video will embed the importance of keeping up with technology into your mind. The part on breaking China of today into its very different provinces is particularly important to understand.
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/12/200_years_in_4_minutes.php
