I truly believe that nitro compounds have had a profound impact on the way the world works now. It is unfortunate, but one of the effects caused by explosives and guns is fear. If people fear you, immediately, you possess power over them. The world would still be using swords as the predominant way to threaten each other, and I honestly believe the world would be safer. Does that mean we would be better off in the end though? I do not think that would be true. Fireworks on the Forth of July would not be possible. Mountain travel would be hazardous. To get from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, you would have to go all the way around the tip of South America. Life, I believe, would be terribly different.