Diamond’s purpose is to preserve generations now and later from going down hill like previous civilizations such as the Maya, Anasazi, Khymer, and Easter Island. Diamond mainly focuses on Easter Island throughout this text. He states, “Unlike Easter Islanders, people have histories of the past- information that can save us”. The author speaks on how the islanders were unaware of what they were doing until they cut down the last tree. They did not have any knowledge nor advice on how to save their civilization nor did they realize what they were doing until it was too late. However, every civilization has the chance to save their society due to the history and details Diamond provides on Easter Island. He is trying to persuade society to take …show more content…
The island consisted of small trees, no source of firewood, and no animals larger than an insect. The islanders there were isolated not knowing that other people existed there. Their resources were scattered all across the island including the statues. Diamond emphasizes why all these things occurred on Easter Island. The growing population that lead to many difficulties in society. The islanders were clueless that they were causing so much damage until there were no more trees left. After cutting down the last tree, this lead the islanders to starvation. Easter Island islanders wiped out their forest and all of their plants and animals became extinct. “The growing population was cutting the forest more rapidly than the forest was regenerating.” Instead of waiting for the forest to restore, they exploited all natural resources to the point that there was no food for them to survive. Due to the lack of food, the islanders began to practice cannibalism. This is when the islanders began to eat off of another