When you have observed many ancient cultures, you can guess the likelihood of certain events occuring over and over again. As long as base human desires are met on a whole, you can get to a level playing field and then start throwing in new factors. Just enough new factors each time to create prosperity in one place, and instability in another. You can then watch these opposing forces come together and its as if you are playing the game of life all by yourself. You just enough chips to sit at the table.
