Homo sapiens enter the fourth cognitive state of their 300 thousand year history:

1. Hunter/gatherer - Complex concepts such as mathematics and counting are not needed.
Archaic humans would require some knowledge of migration routes and what was safe to
eat. The hunter/gatherer state lasts approximately 295 thousand years.

2. Agricultural – Concepts such as counting become important to estimate yields and feed
animals. Fictional constructs such as tribes, religions, and villages are necessary for
organization. The agricultural phase lasts approximately 5 thousand years.

3. Industrial – A cognitive leap from field to factory is needed. Reading and arithmetic
become necessary. Organizational constructs such as nation-states advance dramatically.
Paper currency surpasses barter. The industrial phase lasts 200 years.

4. Technological – Massive cognitive leap. Homo sapiens have to reinvent themselves to
stay relevant. The service sector dramatically surpasses labor. English becomes the world
language. Currency consolidates so that two currencies (USD and Euro) represent 95%
of international trade. Society becomes centralized based on data.