How did we get here?

Some helpful questions come to mind as I read about pajamas, termites, and weeds.

How and when did the western image of Persia change from one of romance, spices, exotic stories and fabrics to that of threatening foreigners?

How and when did the war against termites begin?

Here is a link to a list published by University of California as part of a program to manage weeds. How and when did blackberries, bluegrass, and cattails become 'pests'?

How do we move forward?