As Diamond observes at various points in Guns, Germs, and Steel, China's geography fostered an early large-scale political and cultural unity of society that was a major early advantage in Chinese development. But Diamond also argues that this early connectedness became a later disadvantage for China's political and technological competitiveness compared with Europe. Why? Include an example of the disadvantage.

11. what characteristic was shared by all the important scientists of the scientific revolution? the importance of challenging authority at all times in the pursuit of truth. truth is only achievable through a process of inquiry and observation. the belief that traditional methods of inquiry and discovery were correct, but needed greater accuracy. the belief that the ancient philosophers were correct in their original observations of the laws of nature.