Asimov's "Foundation" series was based on the SF idea that you could quantify and apply mathematic principles to the large-scale flows of history to make accurate predictions about the future.

In reality, of course, there are far too many variables and "X" factors.

While the map shows the large scale movement of things, and seems to reinforce the inevitability of history on that scale, in reality, small events and individual actions have critical impacts on history in multiple areas. "One person can make a difference" is not a cliche. It shows up far too often for that.

This is the crucial difference between human history and natural evolution of the climate. When it comes down to it, one plant is pretty much the same as others of its species, and same for most animals.

Human beings are individuals, and cultural evolution can be completely flipped by one person's actions. One lynx killing one squirrel in a forest is not going to change the course of lynxes (or is it "lynx?) and squirrels in that part of the world. One person assassinating another in Europe could.

In the "Foundation" series, psychohistory failed when the "Mule" arose, and loused up the nice math. In real life, there are "Mules" in our history every day.