societal collapse

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War May Not Have Led To Easter Island's Ancient Collapse

Easter Island is known best for its hundreds of colossal stone statues depicting human figures. The causes of its societal and economic collapse centuries ago are fiercely debated among scientists. Luis C. Cobo/Flickr hide caption

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Luis C. Cobo/Flickr

The Two-Way

War May Not Have Led To Easter Island's Ancient Collapse

February 17, 2016 • The question of what caused Easter Island's demise is a matter of hot debate. War is often blamed, but new research suggests that obsidian blades on the island were used for farming — not fighting.

Nigel Treblin/AFP/Getty Images

Opinion

13.7: Cosmos And Culture

Can 'Hackstability' Save Civilization?

April 24, 2012 • Between the techno-utopia of AI singularities of and apocalyptic environmental collapse there just might exist the relative equilibrium of "hackstability."