Thanks

Interesting point. The rats are still part of using/destroying the local input. However small pox is not. We cannot setup a experiment with humans, but we do it everyday with yeast.

Either way it is certainly possible in a technologically stagnant world (confined space) to deplete the local resources enough to cause a population decline. This is why humans lived in the Malthusian Trap until the Industrial Revolution.

Interesting paper . I have to disagree with your example of Easter Island. Recent studies have shown that the long standing belief that the Rapi Nuii committed ecological suicide is wrong. The current and most reasonable explanation for the deforestation of the native giant palm trees was rats that were either imported by the original Polynesian settlers or the hitched a ride. Rats double their population every 45 days. They became so plentiful and were such voracious eaters that they literally ate all the seeds of the trees as well as the roots of the saplings. The estimate of the 1st settlers is 900ad - 1200ad
Within less than 200 years the trees were gone!
When the island was discovered by the Dutch on Easter Sunday the trees were already gone. In addition the population was thriving , but the Dutch sailors left their mark and started the population crash .The cause was small pox ,
Venerial disease , influenza .When Capt Cook arrived 50 years later his crew repeated the unintentional onslaught of diseases ,estimates are 70 percent of the natives died from those 2 visits.
Reference "The statues that walked" by Terry Hunt and Carl Lipo

A very concise explanation of how biological evolution and Objectivism complement each other. I'd noticed it before but I've never seen a better paper on the subject. Bravo!

Good article, thanks

Zen,

I would appreciate a review of the book Source of Economic Growth, if you have had a chance to read it.

Thanks

A superb demonstration of the positive worth of 'Open' Objectivism.
Well done db.
Txs.

Good stuff.
Socialism, creationism, and environmentalism demolished in one short paper.