[extropy-chat] Easter Island not a human-created disaster?

[Rafal Smigrodzki]

On 1/7/07, Eugen Leitl <eugen at leitl.org> wrote:

>
> Of course rats spread via the human ships. Perturbing ecological
> systems by introducing alien species (rats, goats, etc) is only a
> yet another mechanism by which humans alter existing ecosystems,
> typically to their own disadvantage.

### No Eugen, humans typically gain advantage by introducing alien
species (wheat, potatoes, cattle, etc.) and changing ecosystems.

The occasional plague of rats or snakes is just a trifle compared to
the benefits of alien species.
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>
> Assuming you're correct in this particular case, do you think
> all the other cases in 'Collapse' are similiarly dubious or bogus?

### Yes, societal collapse due to natural, extrinsic causes is very uncommon.

Rafal