'People Make Choices. Choices Make History'

History is made, first of all, by the choices that people make — good choices and bad choices — and the consequences of those choices.

Many times, these choices do not even seem like choices at the time, because people tend to operate on “automatic pilot.” We simplistically embrace the profit motive. We act the way our culture or environment or loved ones or social structures have taught us to act. Perhaps we are “just following orders,” being obedient to some authority. Perhaps we are simply doing what feels good at the moment. Maybe we are desperate. Perhaps we are acting impulsively, without fully thinking through the consequences of our actions. Perhaps we are simply reacting, sometimes in anger, at some perceived outrage, and a desire for sweet revenge develops.

Often, people’s motives are mixed. Make a list of at least 10 motivations for people to act the way they do.

Often there are invisible social forces that shape people’s actions: powerful ideas; politics; economics; disease, pandemics…

From Individual to Societal Choice

Imagine you are one of the first Portuguese sailors and traders to reach Africa in the 1400s. You consider yourself a good person, an adventurer, an explorer, a risk-taker and a good businessman. You have spices and minerals, such as silver and gold, aboard your ship to trade. You need to make a profit to finance your journey, and to support your family back in Portugal. On the West coast of Africa, you meet a friendly tribe