Comments on: Were Coal Explosions to Blame for the Planet’s Biggest Die-Off? http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2011/01/24/were-coal-explosions-to-blame-for-the-planets-biggest-die-off/ 80beats is DISCOVER's news aggregator, weaving together the choicest tidbits from the best articles covering the day's most compelling topics. Wed, 23 May 2012 14:57:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: jemand http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2011/01/24/were-coal-explosions-to-blame-for-the-planets-biggest-die-off/comment-page-1/#comment-608485 jemand Thu, 27 Jan 2011 16:21:04 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/?p=25290#comment-608485 well, we're certainly seeing that destabilization due to a single species causing mass extinctions today, so at least we have one incontrovertible example of the phenomenon. well, we’re certainly seeing that destabilization due to a single species causing mass extinctions today, so at least we have one incontrovertible example of the phenomenon.

]]> By: Aleksandar Kuktin http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2011/01/24/were-coal-explosions-to-blame-for-the-planets-biggest-die-off/comment-page-1/#comment-604864 Aleksandar Kuktin Tue, 25 Jan 2011 14:51:13 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/?p=25290#comment-604864 Minus points for not using the term "coal ash nanoparticles". However, mitigated by using the term "molten coal" (you can make that?). Also, why do people always try to explain extinction events by evoking massive disasters? It is perfectly possible that a species, or a single adaptation, arises, and that it is so advantageous ("ahead of the curve") that it decompensates the entire ecosystem (and later, as it spreads, the biosphere) and causes extinction. In fact, I believe a proper mathematical model would prove this to be the rule and a regular event. Minus points for not using the term “coal ash nanoparticles”. However, mitigated by using the term “molten coal” (you can make that?).

Also, why do people always try to explain extinction events by evoking massive disasters? It is perfectly possible that a species, or a single adaptation, arises, and that it is so advantageous (“ahead of the curve”) that it decompensates the entire ecosystem (and later, as it spreads, the biosphere) and causes extinction. In fact, I believe a proper mathematical model would prove this to be the rule and a regular event.

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