How did chopsticks become the primary eating utensils in the many different cultures through out Asia where the primary foodstuff has usually been rice? wouldn't a spoon or some other shoveling utensil have been better suited?
More can be written on this, but you might like to start with these, which look to me like the best in previous discussions:
"In asia, how were chopsticks invented and chosen as a more practical eating implement than spoons and forks (which they also had)?" , by /u/cthulhushrugged and [deleted] here .
"How did Chopsticks spread to so many different regions in Asia?" by /u/keyilan .
This is not to discourage discussion. More questions, data, and debate are welcome.