As to the evolutionary pressures leading to cutthroat species, yeah I think that’s exactly what it is. By the time a world altering species can begin to see beyond itself and think holistically about its environment it has already done so much damage.

And it’s not that some members of those species won’t see the problems just like many of us meatbags have for a loooong time now, but that on average it won’t be nearly widespread enough to make a difference before shit really hits the fan.

Oh and thank you for the book tip! I don’t think I’ve ever read any of Adrian’s stuff even though I am a huge sci-fi nerd. The description in the book’s wiki article definitely makes it sound like my thing