"私たちが小麦を栽培したのではありません。小麦が私たちを栽培したのです。"

The essence of the quote is that humans might think they were in control when they started farming wheat, but in reality, wheat ended up controlling us. Instead of simply being our food source, wheat shaped our societies, economies, and even our lifestyles in ways we didn't originally foresee.

To understand this, let’s rewind to the Neolithic Revolution, around 10,000 years ago. Humans were primarily hunter-gatherers, roaming the land, and living off what they could hunt and gather. Then, we discovered the magic of growing plants—specifically, wheat. This marked the beginning of agriculture. People began to settle down, build villages, and cultivate land.

But here’s the kicker: while we were growing wheat, wheat was changing us. We cleared forests, built irrigation systems, and stayed put year-round to tend our crops. Our social structures changed—now we needed complex societies to manage and store grain, to protect our fields, and to trade surplus. Essentially, wheat required us to change from nomads to settlers, from independent bands to cooperative societies.

Think about it—if you're into baking, you know the feeling of satisfaction that comes from kneading dough, letting it rise, and pulling fresh bread out of the oven. Now imagine that on a society-wide scale. We were hooked. Wheat had us investing in fields, tools, and new agricultural techniques. It pushed us to innovate, but it also made us dependent.

Take a modern example: the Green Revolution. In the mid-20th century, advancements in agriculture, including high-yielding wheat varieties, prevented famine in many parts of the world. While this sounds amazing—and in many ways, it is—it also meant a lot of countries became highly dependent on these specific strains of wheat, on fertilizers, and on pesticides. This wasn't just a simple choice; it shaped the economies and politics of entire regions.

So, how can we apply this nugget of wisdom? Be aware of the things you think you control in life. Sometimes, what seems like a tool or resource can end up shaping you in unexpected ways. Take a step back and assess if you’re truly in control or if you’re letting something dominate your decisions and lifestyle.

Imagine you’re a tech enthusiast and you get a new smartphone. At first, it’s just a tool to help you stay connected. You use it to organize your day, stay in touch with friends, and maybe play some games. But soon, you find yourself checking it constantly. Notifications, updates, social media—the phone starts demanding your attention. Instead of you using the phone, the phone is using you. It’s shaping your habits, your focus, even your relationships.

Now, think about the core message of the quote: What you think you control, might just be controlling you. It’s a call to mindfulness. Be deliberate with your choices and recognize the influence of the things you bring into your life. Whether it’s technology, food, or any other aspect of modernization, it’s crucial to maintain a balance and ensure you’re the one in control, not the other way around.