[friend_and_foe]

As much as it makes me sad to hear about it too, I think it's wishful thinking to say we will regret it. The entire history of civilization is the history of genocide and forced assimilation. Civilization is basically an ever expanding cultural grey goo meat grinder. The Romans did it to Europe and central Asia, the first caliphate did it to (ultimately) all of Arabia, the various east Asian civilizations did it to natives all across southeast Asia, Formosa, the Japanese islands. Every one of us that belongs to a civilization came to be here because it was done to our ancestors. Nobody really regrets any of it, save for some more recent examples and those too are usually just lip service. Give it a few more generations and nobody will even talk about caring anymore.

[gnramires]

I, for one, am sad about those other assimilations too.

> Civilization is basically an ever expanding cultural grey goo meat grinder

In some ways, it was, in some ways, it wasn't. Civilization allows some ideas and some ways of life that aren't/weren't possible otherwise. An example cited in this thread is that of an aboriginal group (Pintupi Nine) that became artists after contact with civilization. Surely being a dedicated artist would be much more difficult without civilization support. Many civilizations were respectful of regional differences and even local religions and other beliefs (even e.g. Alexander). I mean, modern civilization essentially respects regional differences and has understood rights w.r.t. cultures. If you look at the consensus from social sciences it seems by far in the side of non-uniformization as being healthier and preferable choice for societies (and hence for policymaking). And of course and some of the absurdities of 20th century were ideas of supremacy and forced uniformity.

And most important, civilization is not static (and not a physical law), it's a system, maybe almost like an operating system, and we continually are making choices on how to build it. And studying how our design choices contribute to better, more fulfilling, more interesting existences.

I assure you, those choices are being made right now, and more active participation, in-depth study and science are important to assure to good future. (you shouldn't use the first few OS designs as a rule that all OSes will need to follow forever)

[Anthony-G]

Unfortunately, I think you’re right. The genocide that accompanies deforestation is barely talked about even as it’s actually ongoing. It’s not just that people don’t care; I doubt most Westerners even know how bad the situation is. These days deforestation is mostly talked about in terms of global warming and loss of biodiversity – not the extermination of ethnic groups with their own distinct language and culture. I was shocked to learn that this man had survived not one, but two genocides (first in the 70s and then the 90s) followed by further documented attempts on his life in 2009!

[hackerlight]

It's also our history on a species level. Neanderthals and Denisovans didn't disappear on their own. They were devoured by us.

  "Nobody really regrets any of it"

And a lot of people get defensive when you talk about it. They feel like you're attacking their identity. Some outright celebrate it.

[ghayes]

You can regret the extinction of species, while still appreciating the beauty of the modern biosphere.