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Man-Made Fire Blamed for Australian Extinctions

Posted by timothy on from the smokey-the-kangaroo-never-caught-on dept.

JeiFuRi writes "Around 50,000 years ago, many large Australian animals died off with the arrival of man. From a study carried out by the Carnegie Institution, we now know that the continent's earliest settlers caused these extinctions through their use of fire. In addition, it may have altered the ecosystem of ancient Australia and brought about it's collapse. Futher commentary at BBC News, newKerala, and Red Nova." "Know" is a strong word; the study suggests this may be the case, though.

3 of 52 comments (clear)

  1. A word from our sponsor by sgant · · Score: 0, Flamebait

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  2. Re:Yay, I mean, boo! by ZSpade · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    But PETA can sure as hell try, and you know they'll cite this in future rantings.

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  3. Wait a second by Sensible+Clod · · Score: 0, Flamebait
    I'll probably be modded into oblivion for this, but I think it needs saying. I'm not trying to start a flamewar or anything.

    Our smarts are much faster than it can ever be. We're an 'out-of-context' problem. The consequences of our actions come by much quicker than evolution can compensate.

    You're not trying to ascribe anything intelligent to Evolution, are you?

    I mean, how could anything be a 'problem' for blind chance? And why would it try to 'compensate' for anything?

    Let's not be thinking of Evolution as some kind of Intelligent Creator, okay?

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