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What are the possible consequences of allowing civilizations close to extinction to disappear?

Gussie Moles

Allowing civilizations close to extinction to disappear can have significant consequences not just for the immediate region, but for the world as a whole. The loss of ancient cultures and practices can lead to a vast and irreplaceable loss of human knowledge and history, impacting future generations in ways we can barely begin to fathom.

For example, consider the loss of the Maya civilization. While the cause of their disappearance is still debated, we know that their civilization was incredibly advanced, with a vast knowledge of astronomy, mathematics, and engineering. Today, we only have fragments of their knowledge left, and much of what we know comes from the precious few physical structures they left behind. The loss of their knowledge must have had a profound impact on the world, and we can only speculate as to how different our world might be if their civilization had survived.

Furthermore, the disappearance of cultures and peoples can have catastrophic consequences for the environment. Indigenous peoples often have complex and sophisticated understandings of their local ecosystems and the animals and plants that inhabit them. When these peoples are lost, so too is their knowledge - knowledge that could help us understand and better protect our natural world. The loss of this knowledge can be devastating in the face of climate change and rising global temperatures, as we struggle to find ways to adapt and mitigate these challenges.

In a world where we are constantly losing knowledge, there are no easy answers to these complex questions. Even if we manage to preserve some cultures, we need to ensure that we do not commodify their knowledge or cultural practices for our own gain. Similarly, we need to find a way to reconcile the past with the needs of the future, as we seek to build a more sustainable and equitable world for everyone.

In conclusion, while the consequences of allowing civilizations close to extinction to disappear are many, there is also hope for the future. By working together and valuing every culture and every person, we can build a world that is resilient to the challenges of the future, and one that respects the knowledge, cultures and practices of the past.