Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Novaris,

The question is legitimate because it points to one of those possibilities in a logical matrix that we would just rather not think about -- we typically generalize and hope it goes away. No law, not even the golden rule, is perfect; it is, after all, derived from human thought. If I had a good, specific and articulate answer, well, I would probably be more than a farmer.

But, I'll answer it anyway . . . in a general, somewhat vague and my (sigh) verbose way. Really, my answer a guess. And you must judge intuitively, somewhere within.

In a community (vaguely defined concept) as we have discussed here, I suspect such problems will definitely always exist. But, in such a real community the problem is probably small and fleeting (I know, that sounds like a cop out). There will always be disputes under any code of conduct, but the ability to arbitrate such disputes always seem to exist in a community.

Communities have a variety of ways to deal with these problems. They develop, on the simple side, social norms; on the more sophisticated side, protocols like common law courts (unfortunately, common law in the US is all but non existent). None of which require force. I suppose if these mechanisms become a problem, it is because they get wrapped up in rigid belief systems. But even in this latter, when people are free, when such communities become rigid, people can simply move on to another that is more welcoming. Darwinian, I suppose: the best communities survive the best . . . so long as force or violence is not involved, especially if the force or violence never becomes institutionalized.

The fact is, we are social animals. We need one another for things obvious and things so subtle we may not even know they exist. We cannot survive in any dignified manner without others around us. But, our nature (which is perfect because it is all we have) equips us with all the tools we need to get along with one another and live in a sustainable way (an environmental, economic and social way).

m

Perhaps exchange programs maybe even deliberate ones may help if people experience the lives of others for a time and then return with that experience. I guess that is partly why travel is something many desire to do.

Getting back to the feeding the poor recently we again were shown that attitudes and distribution systems are a large contributor. Here in Australia we are composting tons of banana's simply because they are slightly discoloured or the wrong size. There is nothing wrong with them as food but we waste them anyway. We should not be importing any when this practice is going on but we do

Same goes on here. Many States have grading regs on fruits/veggies. The market then takes hold and the only thing acceptable at the retail store is Grade A. Processors maybe some lower grades but what is left gets tossed even though much of the produce could be recovered.

I'm not convinced that it's purely the "market" that drives such things JohnMc.... at least not the market from the point of view of the end consumer...

Rather... IMO... it's the "market"... as created and perpetuated... by the wholesalers/distributers/middlemen... and has more to do with maximisation of shelf life and profit.... than anything else...

Slightly spoiled/marked bananas would sell.... if priced accordingly (at all points of the chain)... and/or could be sold at discounted price to charitable groups etc....

But I believe, they're dumped... more to hold and inflate the price of the premium product... than for any other reason...

+1

During the recent drought Victorian lamb and mutton was given away for almost nothing at the sale yards, it all went but at no time did lamb prices in the retail system drop more than 1 or 2%. I believe that the meat was bought and stored by the major chains to release over time I also suspect it was irradiated to increase it's shelf life. As far as I know irradiation for food preservation does not have to be declared on foods. However I consider that the food is permanently damaged by doing so.