Please write out the full content of "vice versa"

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NewHopeR

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Context:

Invention is often the mother of necessity, rather than vice versa
-Jared Diamond

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I guess "vice versa" here refers to: Necessity is often the mother of invention.

Am I on the right track?
 

BrunaBC

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Hi NewHoper,

Yes, you are.;-)
 

emsr2d2

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Context:

Invention is often the mother of necessity, rather than vice versa
-Jared Diamond

---------------------

I guess "vice versa" here refers to: Necessity is often the mother of invention.

Am I on the right track?

The usual phrase is "Necessity is the mother of invention", meaning that we need something so someone invents it. Jared Diamond (whoever he is) is making the point that, these days, it seems that the reverse is true - someone invents something and then everybody seems to think they need it.

"Vice versa" means "the opposite".

He is saying that his view is the opposite of the standard usual view.
 

NewHopeR

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