Final answer:
Charismatic leaders and government intervention could have averted the tragedies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The lectures on David Koresh/Waco and Rev Jim Jones/The Ark emphasized several points that might have averted the tragedy. One of the prime points was the influence of charismatic leaders. Both Koresh and Jones were charismatic and were able to attract followers with their eloquence and promises of salvation. The lectures also stressed the importance of government intervention in such situations, as the failure to take action in a timely manner allowed these leaders to continue their dangerous practices, leading to tragic outcomes.