Close your eyes and visualize beautiful yellow, red, and violet stars in the morning sky. In their light, you see the people of ancient Mesopotamia come into view. This was a very special place on earth that has been called the "Cradle of Civilization" because of its influence on the formation of art, science, philosophy and religion in ancient times. Now think of the civilization you find yourselves in today. How is civilization in general different or better than it used to be?