On Thu, 3 Oct 2024 22:26:14 -0000 (UTC), Lawrence D'Oliveiro wrote:
On 3 Oct 2024 18:38:19 GMT, rbowman wrote:
India was in dire straights in the '70s. The Green Revolution allowed
them to feed the starving -- who proceeded to reproduce.
Interesting how you frame the history of other countries that way, but
not your own. (“Dust Bowl”, anybody?)
The Dust Bowl was caused by farming land that probably never should have
been farmed, at least not using the methods applicable to the eastern US.
Starvation wasn't widespread although it was in the middle of the
Depression.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dust_Bowl"Capital-intensive agribusiness had transformed the scene; deep wells into
the aquifer, intensive irrigation, the use of artificial pesticides and
fertilizers, and giant harvesters were creating immense crops year after
year whether it rained or not. According to the farmers he interviewed,
technology had provided the perfect answer to old troubles, such of the
bad days would not return. In Worster's view, by contrast, the scene
demonstrated that America's capitalist high-tech farmers had learned
nothing. They were continuing to work in an unsustainable way, devoting
far cheaper subsidized energy to growing food than the energy could give
back to its ultimate consumers."
The 'miracle' was achieved by pumping the Ogallala Aquifer.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ogallala_AquiferIt's fossil water, meaning it's leftover from the last ice age. Because of
the soil structure and the fact it is still a semi-arid region, recharge
is extremely slow. In other words, when it's gone, it's gone and it's time
to try to pull another rabbit out of the hat.
Here is another stellar example of plannign:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_ButzHe started the 'get big or get out' program of huge industrial farms. It
drove the family farmers out of business. His goal was to ensure cheap
food, since a hungry population tends to want to barbecue politicians. So
far it has worked, more or less, although diverting dent corn to ethanol
production isn't helping.
Meanwhile the politicians want to invite in the world's trash for more
consumers, no matter what cheap Chinese crap they are consuming, and
supplying unskilled labor for the most part.
So, yes, the US is as fucked up if not more fucked up than most countries.
No fear, Qeumala to the rescue.
Can't Avoid That Shit Rust - Even On Gentoo
Re: Can't Avoid That Shit Rust - Even On Gentoo
