Geoff,
As pointed out by V. Stefansson, the Inuit developed apparently simple 
technologies for surviving in very hostile climates that were extremely 
effective. European/southern explorers and adventurers who arrived in 
those  same environments often succumbed to the weather conditions, 
never to be heard from again. Those who did survive to tell their 
stories were, very frequently, the beneficiaries of the magnanimity of 
these "stagnated" people. From clothing design to construction 
techniques for temporary and more enduring domiciles, the Inuit 
reflected an astounding grasp of  heat conservation/loss and transfer. 
They were well ahead of "civilized" engineering in these areas until 
well into the Twentieth Century.  Even then, with comparatively enormous 
resources at their disposal, people from the south failed to devise 
clothing or shelters that were anywhere near as comfortable or gentle on 
the fragile environments where the Inuit survived and thrived.

Perhaps you meant no harm, but the perpetuation of such unfounded 
stereotypes is most offensive.
 
Ron Hoggan




Geoffrey Purcell wrote:
>  
> Please ignore William's comments. He's unaware of history which shows grain-eating Babylonians/Ancient Egyptians/Sumerians/Dark-Age Muslims etc. creating great, advanced cultures/civilisations while all-animal-food-eating Inuit didn't do much by comparison in the meantime, just stagnated really.
>
>   
-- 
PK