The hammer or the pen, which has shaped humanities direction more effectively?

Thor's hammer of war has directed language and literature.

Now, whether that is effectively shaping humanity's direction is another question--that isn't universal either. One must realize, what is effective for some--may be very ineffective for another.

I have to go with the pen, the fast transfer of information has made a big impact on humanities direction. This made it possible to share knowledge and made human kind progress in for example technology. I do not underestimate the value of tools like the hammer, but I do not think the have helped the progress of the human race as much as the pen/writing...

Am not a big fan of Hammer - nevertheless it is still doing a good job of checking some excesses.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.