An early argument put forth to highlight the benefits of agriculture was that it required less time than hunting and gathering. Hunters and gatherers were sometimes characterized as unstable, living on the edge of starvation. Research, though, has indicated the opposite: that farmers are indeed the ones who routinely work longer hours and are more prone to food shortages and crop failures. Discuss the costs and affordances that each subsistence system has.​

The early argument in favor of agriculture, that it required less time than hunting and gathering, was based on the assumption that farming provided a more stable and reliable food source. However, research has shown that this is not necessarily the case.

Hunting and gathering societies often had a deep understanding of their environment and were able to sustain themselves with relatively little effort. They were able to move with the seasons and take advantage of a wide variety of food sources. However, this lifestyle also came with its own costs, such as the risk of food shortages during lean times and the need to constantly be on the move.

On the other hand, agriculture allowed for the production of a more consistent and reliable food supply. However, it also required a significant amount of labor and time. Farmers had to work long hours to tend to their crops and were more susceptible to food shortages and crop failures due to factors such as weather and pests.

In terms of affordances, agriculture allowed for the development of more complex societies and civilizations, as it provided a surplus of food that could support larger populations. It also allowed for the development of specialized labor and the accumulation of wealth. However, it also led to a more sedentary lifestyle and increased vulnerability to crop failures and food shortages.

Hunting and gathering, on the other hand, allowed for a more mobile and flexible lifestyle, with less labor required to sustain oneself. However, it also limited the potential for large-scale social organization and the development of complex technologies.

In conclusion, both subsistence systems have their own costs and affordances. Agriculture provided a more stable and reliable food supply but required more labor and was more susceptible to food shortages and crop failures. Hunting and gathering allowed for a more flexible lifestyle but came with its own risks and limitations.