from an article on phys.org (one of my favorite science article compiling sites)
“An international research team, including a member of the Complexity Science Hub Vienna, investigated the role of “big gods” in the rise of complex large-scale societies. Big gods are defined as moralizing deities who punish ethical transgressions. Contrary to prevailing theories, the team found that beliefs in big gods are a consequence, not a cause, of the evolution of complex societies. The results are published in the current issue of the journal Nature.
Read more at: https://phys.org/news/2019-03-complex-societies-gave-birth-big.html#jCp
Club Schadenfreude 
“In almost every world region for which we have data, moralizing gods tended to follow, not precede, increases in social complexity.”
This makes perfect sense. The need to mobilise arises from predation, inter-species aggression, food/water security, breeding stock, the benefits of specialisation, etc. Once mobilised, and settled, the behavioural issues rise and are dealt with.
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What john said.
In simple societies, even the gods are simple
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Any idea where Ark is? There were blackouts in Joberg last week, but… ?
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No, I haven’t heard from him. Argus was asking too.
I will try and send mail. Hopefully there is nothing wrong down south
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I sent an email last Friday. No reply. Over the weekend I looked at local papers online and saw the load-sharing/blackouts articles.
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