Easter Island sounds like a nice place to vacation

Trees grow. Birds soar. Animals graze. People live in relative comfort. Sound familiar? Like maybe the surrondings you encounter everyday?

If you lived on Easter Island before about the 19th century, it would sound familiar too. According to many different pieces of evidence, both written and archaelogical, Easter Island was a near perfect definition of the island paradise. Trees were abundant, food was mostly plentiful, and explorers to the island have said they were received by a populus much better off than they expected. Of course, Easter Island is now much more well known for its “head statues” (actually full bodied idols with enlarged heads) then it is for its safe haven characteristics. The reason is quite apparent: the characteristics are simply not there anymore. Naturally, this begs the question “why”?

The exact reasons may never be fully understood nor undisputed, however there are many hints at what caused this disappearance of resources. As stated earlier, this island was found to be exceptionalyl fertile and bountiful. Where did the nature go? Simply put, it went to work for the benefit of the population. To make accomadations for themselves and to transport their famous idols, the people deforested far too much without giving thought to it. It served to seal their fate. In combination with any number of occurences, such as tree seed consumption by rats, a”Little Ice Age,” and aggresive agriculture, we begin to see how the rape of the land happened. Eventually, the ignorance of the settlers casued drastic changes in the ecosystem, seen in the decline of indigenous birds and animals. This caused the people to take radical action and begin warring for supplies like wood and possibly cannibalism. Their diet also became tailored to non plant food, such as chicken.

This is a clear case of human effect on the earth. In terms of the earth, peoples lifespan is rather short, offering them only a narrow window with which to view existence. Changes are not so apparent within one human’s lifetime. As a result, humans generally do not see the drastic differences the environment undergoes. If there is anything to learn from Easter Island, it is that we must see the environment in terms of the future, not necessarily the present, or all pay a rather large toll.

source: Wikipedia

Update: In addition to being unforgivably ugly, Ben is also not funny

I am reading Be’s rebuttal post as he types it. It is really not funny. It does not follow any coherent thought process and the jokes are juvenile. Also he smells.

Sometimes I wish Ben would ingest old fish. The look on his face as the tainted seafood hit his lower intenstine would be way funnier than the stuff he writes. Roller coasters? What is he talking about? That’s right; what are you talking about Ben? I know you’re reading this while you type too. Seriously, when have I ever brought up roller coasters? I mean, nothing against them, but I’m not the world’s biggest fan. I would rather build giant ant farms that I would proceed to break open and release on local villagers.

That’s right Ben. You just keep on looking at WordPress themes. Your fate is approaching.

Why I am Better than Ben

Let me just get right in to this. I mean, look at the kid. I’m so much hotter. I’ve also heard Ben does unmentionable things to small children. Don’t even get me started on the goats. Oh dear God, the goats.

In other news, I really enjoy eating cheese. Cheese is also far superior to Ben. This is just one example of the many things cheese and I have in common. For instance, did you know that both cheese and myself are a great source of calcium? It is true. Also, I am birthed from the utter of a mother cow.

Ben once told me he thought I was really cute, and whilst inwardly agreeing with him, I was also terribly, terribly frightened. I typically avoid Ben but he’s always telling me stupid stories. Hold on, I have to go… Ben is telling me about the time he went to the zoo and had some of the best cotton candy he’s ever laid eyes on.