There have been numerous different societies throughout history, each contributing a bit to what the world has become today. What I am wanting to know is, which, of all of these vast civilizations, was the most beneficial to human-kind? Was it the Sumerians, the Egyptians, Mayans and other South American cultures, Romans, Persians, Chinese, British and/or Western Europe, or Americans? Please state your answer with a strong explanation, as this is something I am very interested in.

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What was the best thing before sliced bread?
-George Carlin

Anger and intolerance are the enemies of correct understanding.
-Gandhi

All religions, arts and sciences are branches of the same tree.
-Albert Einstein