[foxglacier]

The Earth regenerates food with input of solar energy, unlike a petri dish, so that model doesn't apply at all. Animals still exist, after-all. We may reach steady state like they did, or oscillate perhaps.

[wruza]

We’ll oscillate likely, not perhaps. The whole-world has shown no ability to solve critical issues without “oscillations”, yet, not unlike animals.

[ycombinete]

Yes. A terrarium is a far better example, than a petridish.