WORK
The work undertaken by inhabitants defines their routines, their interactions with each other, and the innovations they potentially develop. Economic links facilitate cultural exchanges, political alliances and human migration (Folk). Specific labor activities also can exploit the terrain, and shape the layout of a city, for instance fishing near the sea or creating resort districts near a beach. This can have negative consequences in terms of pollution or eminent domain resulting in emigration. As a case study: China's abundance of kaolin clays (Place) and love for hot teas (Folk) lead to a long and sophisticated history of manufacturing fine porcelain (Work), which arguably discouraged the same sophisticated manipulation of glass, allowing Europeans to advance beyond them with their use of optics (and as a result, creating eyewear and telescopes--extending a persons' working life, and allowing for space and sea discoveries respectively).