The reader clarifies that puzzling paragraph:
The cultural perfection thing is about misplaced sympathies and the resulting politics. Sort of a “how dare those scientists despoil the pristine wilderness venerated and carefully cared for for hundreds of years by these sinless original peoples” — which draws a lot of sympathy and support from various corners and factions. I’m pro-science, of course. But I’m also very pro-environment. Ask me about how much I think there are too many humans on the planet already someday.
