Jared Diamond

“By relating output variables to input variables, I aim to tease out the influence of possible input variables on collapses. A rigorous, comprehensive, and quantitative application of this method was possible for the problem of deforestation-induced collapses on Pacific islands. Prehistoric Pacific peoples deforested their islands to varying degrees, ranging from only slight to complete deforestation, and with societal outcomes ranging from long-term persistence to complete collapses that left everybody dead.”

“the impossibility of emigration as an escape valve because of Easter's isolation, a focus on statue construction for reasons already discussed, and competition between clans and chiefs driving the erection of bigger statues requiring more wood, rope, and food.”

“Easter Island was as isolated in the Pacific Ocean as the earth is today in space. When the Easter Islanders got into difficulties, there was nowhere to which they could flee, nor to which they could turn for help. Nor shall we modern earthlings have recourse elsewhere if our troubles increase.”

“The Greenland Vikings would have had a better chance of surviving if they had learned from or traded with the Inuit, but they didn't.”

“Astounding by their complete absence are all the useful pieces of Inuit technology that the Norse could have copied with profit, but didn't. For instance, there is not a single harpoon, spear-thrower, or kayak or umiak piece from any Norse”

“Within a few years, the Danes had learned more about harpoons and ringed seals than the Norse had in a few centuries.”

“The values to which people cling most stubbornly, under inappropriate conditions, are those values that were previously the source of their greatest triumphs over adversity.”

“but those innovations could have threatened the power, prestige, and narrow interests of the chiefs. In the tightly controlled, interdependent society of Norse Greenland, the chiefs were in a position to prevent others from trying out such innovations.”

“The loggers have correctly perceived that, once they have paid for their lease, their interests are best served by cutting its forest as quickly as possible”

“Both the habitat preservation effort and the captive breeding effort would have been cheaper and more likely to succeed if they had been begun earlier.”

“a different type of courage to anticipate a growing problem, or just a potential one, and to take bold steps to solve it before it becomes an explosive crisis. Such leaders expose themselves to criticism or ridicule for acting before it becomes obvious to everyone that some action is necessary.”