Right, I think I'll call the poll there. So tech equalization seems to be the winner, and I think we can proceed with that.
So in terms of POD suggestions, we would be leaning into ASB, here's my rough proposal of the history of the world.
A highly efficient crop is discovered in all parts of the world. Able to grow in nearly any climate, easily cultivated, and providing a great, regular yield, the crop kickstarts the agricultural revolution. Producing regular surpluses, the crop allows society to advance at a rapid pace, with populations growing and established settlements quickly displacing the hunter-gatherer lifestyle.
This worldwide civilization growth is steady and consistent with native empires rising and falling, mirroring the advancement of OTL Europe. By the 500's By the early 1000's, Australia is fully explored and integrated with the wider Afro-Eurasian trade networks.
By the 1200's Afro-Eurasia and the Americas make first contact, on the island nation of Hawaii. This is quickly followed by meetings on Greenland, Iceland and Punta Delgada. The limited nature of these first contacts and the fortuitous exchange of less-lethal forms of disease leads to the wider populations of both continental systems becoming largely immune fairly quickly. Mass deaths for occur but they are limited and manageable.
The two continental systems are evenly matched in terms of technology, with the Americans slightly more advanced in life sciences due to their variety of ecosystems of their continental axis. The Afro-Eurasians are more advanced in physical sciences, mostly due to the larger population bases and constant warfare. The technological exchange is mutually beneficial, and regular transportation lanes across the Atlantic and pacific speed up technological growths to greater heights. By the 1500's the industrial revolution is in full swing and by the 1700's this world has reached the same level of technology as us OTL.
By the year 1800, the world congress is formed, with the participation of the multinational orgs, and establishes the first human presence in the stars.
By the turn of the millenium in the year 2000, humanity has spread to the stars, terraformed multiple planets, discovered wormholes, and stands at the edge of the most destructive conflict the human world has ever seen.
As always, please speak up about any changes or suggestions.
So next up, we need to flesh out the factions. If
@Fred Guo @Fox-Fire @Pax Americana @CannedTech @Baconheimer and
@Christory would each pick a continent and roughly sketch it out with the various states and their position in the multinational "federations" that govern each continent, we can proceed. (I'm assuming if you replied without being pinged, you are interested in participating)
I'll post the master earth worlda as soon as I get home so we aren't working on versions with minor variances.