Ianben, my take on your good questions.
"The idea that we are in control is the bit that always makes me smile."
It depends on what you mean by 'control'. We certainly can have an effect, at least locally, but the global and long term consequences are hard to guage.
"If we just did this or that or didnt do something else every thing would be better." Again, better in the short term but as population increases and resources become depleted is it sustainable.
"Would it be better to farm less intensivlly but need a much larger land area cultivated?" Yes, less intensively, more locally, better price per unit produced.
"Can animals be happy? Is an animal protected from nature, ie fed watered and protected from predators, farmed happier than one in the wild?" Yes, I believe animals can be happy. Have you ever been greeted by the family dog, legs wrapped around the the family cat, cows, munching happily or staring contentedly into space as their calves suckle. I think this must be 'happy'in the sense they can express contentment, are relaxed and not afraid for their life. The life span of animals in the wild is very short relative to domestic animals, with the exception of course of feeder animals. Just as an example, domestic cats often live well into their teens. Feral cats around here at least live 2-3 years as do coyotes and foxes. The early death of fawns and moose calves due to natural causes also exceeds that of domestic animals.
"If any part of nature is out of balance it must be to numbers of people." Without a doubt, people are the problem. I am not confident that they are the solution.
"Are we really any different to the microbes in the dish?" No!
"Have we any choice but to fill every available space and feed ourselves to extinction? " No! but maybe we can postpone the inevitable with some judicious intervention.
"The idea that we are in control is the bit that always makes me smile."
It depends on what you mean by 'control'. We certainly can have an effect, at least locally, but the global and long term consequences are hard to guage.
"If we just did this or that or didnt do something else every thing would be better." Again, better in the short term but as population increases and resources become depleted is it sustainable.
"Would it be better to farm less intensivlly but need a much larger land area cultivated?" Yes, less intensively, more locally, better price per unit produced.
"Can animals be happy? Is an animal protected from nature, ie fed watered and protected from predators, farmed happier than one in the wild?" Yes, I believe animals can be happy. Have you ever been greeted by the family dog, legs wrapped around the the family cat, cows, munching happily or staring contentedly into space as their calves suckle. I think this must be 'happy'in the sense they can express contentment, are relaxed and not afraid for their life. The life span of animals in the wild is very short relative to domestic animals, with the exception of course of feeder animals. Just as an example, domestic cats often live well into their teens. Feral cats around here at least live 2-3 years as do coyotes and foxes. The early death of fawns and moose calves due to natural causes also exceeds that of domestic animals.
"If any part of nature is out of balance it must be to numbers of people." Without a doubt, people are the problem. I am not confident that they are the solution.
"Are we really any different to the microbes in the dish?" No!
"Have we any choice but to fill every available space and feed ourselves to extinction? " No! but maybe we can postpone the inevitable with some judicious intervention.
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