The Secret of El Dorado

[Rajiv]

Re: The Secret of El Dorado

In case of the Amazon civilization, the predominant thesis is that the European diseases spread like wild fire through the densely populated region -- and most of these diseases were contagious before any symptoms were visible. -- and the population had absolutely no immunity to these diseses.

[necron99]

Re: The Secret of El Dorado

In case of the Amazon civilization, the predominant thesis is that the European diseases spread like wild fire through the densely populated region -- and most of these diseases were contagious before any symptoms were visible. -- and the population had absolutely no immunity to these diseses.

Sorry -- let my mouth (or my keyboard) run off before watching the entire film. True, it seems like disease did-in these civilizations, but my point is relevant to Lukester's point about the suddenness of collapse.

I think Jared Diamond makes the point about how population density is a risk factor for collapse. A disease spreads quickly, or, an environmental tipping point can be reached quickly -- and then within a single lifetime, the civilization simply can't continue in any form its inhabitants could recognize.

Therefore, as David Brin points out, when we notice warning signs, we'd better pay attention to them.