>>24760
>when civilizations start to form, they want to control nature, subdue it
So what? Beavers also change the environment to their liking.

>After some time the society collapses because it is entropic
Only if society is foolish in its handling of resources.

>200 years ago people knew that land was valuable.
And that's why they moved out of their overcrowded continent to clear out living space on the other side of the Atlantic.
But 200 years ago urbanization was limited and agriculture inefficient. By making agriculture more labor- and land- efficient industrialization reduced the need for deforestation. Because of this Europe's forest cover is greater now than it was a century ago.

>The "poor" people ive met in third world countries were miles happier than any westerner ivet come across.
I interact with poor Third Worlders on a daily basis and some are my closest friends. I can tell you they do feel happier with material gains. This is why last year tens of millions of them voted for the proxy of a corrupt former President who would de facto rule the country from a jail cell: because they were happy and nostalgic for the material gains they made during his rule.

>material perhaps
Are you implying they lead more moral and traditional lives, or their culture is more valuable? Funk music should warn you not to idealize them.