Problem
Do you think that the history of Easter Island's collapse is a relevant parable for the United States or our planet today? In what ways does it apply? In what ways does it fall apart? If we were to experience a collapse, which of Diamond's five factors do you think would play the greatest role and why? Can you think of any analogues to the Moai statues in our modern, American culture? What do you think of the Superbowl analogy? How does it hold up? How does it fall apart? If Diamond's account turns out to be flawed should we instead view Easter Island as an optimistic example of human ingenuity? How so?