This picture is really a sad fact, a sad and true contrast of progress of one society, where the other stayed stuck in their retarded thinking, theocracy, fear of future and superstition. That’s what happens when your civilization is taken over by a crazy religion with totalitarian political bent. Look at ancient Persia and Mesopotamia or Arabic empire with leading mathematicians of the old days. The middle east would have equally impressive achievements on the right-hand side of the picture, if not for the Islamic insanity, ignorance and senseless injustice.