Comments on: The Bonzai Book Club Discussion Group: “Just Food”, Chapters 4-6 & Conclusion

By: Bliss Doubt

Bliss Doubt — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 14:16:00 +0000

Oooo! Missed this. Love the invitation but I think this session is over. Will wait for the next one.

By: Bliss Doubt

Bliss Doubt — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 22:45:00 +0000

Everywhere, there is something that grows, with the possible exception of the frozen tundra, and even there, I’m not sure. There are lots of food products that come from desert regions, and there are grains, root vegetables and other foods that grow in poor soil. I’m not opposed to trading out surplus, but I don’t think there are populous regions full of people with their mouths open like baby birds, waiting to be fed. Nature abhors a vacuum. McWilliams is cheerleading for the status quo, when the world today is bursting with ideas for how to do things better, with more respect for the earth and our natural resources. I realize that my shopping cart can’t always be fully local, but I believe it can become more and more so. Even though I’ll pay more when the item is local, and even though I immediately grab under the “local flavors” signs at my grocery store, there are few local products in the conventional markets, and I’m in one of those hot, food growing regions. That’s because of the predatory pricing which comes from the deadly efficiencies of multinational agribusiness.

By: Sayward Rebhal

Sayward Rebhal — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 21:24:00 +0000

What about humanure? We have the technology, it solves a HUGE waste storage problem, and isn't it the only *real* humane way? After all, fish have feelings too!

By: Sayward Rebhal

Sayward Rebhal — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 21:18:00 +0000

BECAUSE IT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION! =D

It’s the crux of the issue. Pro-cott is awesome for sure. Education is key. But how do we get INSIDE to make the important ($$$) changes?

By: Sayward Rebhal

Sayward Rebhal — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 21:14:00 +0000

So interesting hearing your thoughts on this, juxtaposed against “Bliss Doubt” down below. I want to hear the two of you have a conversation about it!

By: Sayward Rebhal

Sayward Rebhal — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 21:11:00 +0000

Haha, I can’t wait!

By: Sayward Rebhal

Sayward Rebhal — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 21:10:00 +0000

Also, is it the best use of energy to invest time and resources into a “solution” that still involves – and is in fact dependent on – animal use (exploitation?) Shouldn’t we be looking elsewhere, away from using animals?

I’m very curious to know what McWilliams says about aquaponics now, as an outspoken vegan?

By: Monika {windycityvegan}

Monika {windycityvegan} — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 21:09:00 +0000

I am a disgustingly in-your-face glass is always half full kind of person. But seriously – I have more to add on this – but I’m late for my bus! I will have to give you concrete examples tomorrow.

Off to infect my fellow public transit riders with joie de vivre!

By: Monika {windycityvegan}

Monika {windycityvegan} — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 21:06:00 +0000

I’m right with you on the rescue side of things. Our hens were rescues, and until they just started laying eggs out of the blue one day we didn’t even really think about whether or not someone would consume the eggs (Mar and Nina do sometimes now) or what to do with all that poo! Which we compost like crazy. But fish…I would bet that there are a lot of koi fish that need new homes – they reproduce *so* quickly and are such a disposable novelty. I have a relative who has a koi pond and he gives dozens of them away every year. Actually, Nina and I saw something on tv about a turtle and koi sanctuary this weekend, now that I think about it.

Okay – but then how would I care for all of the additional offspring that my initial rescue fish would spawn…?

By: Sayward Rebhal

Sayward Rebhal — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 20:57:00 +0000

Really? You didn’t find it depressing? I still feel like I have no solid idea of how we might go about feeding the world sustainably, and what role I can play in that process to make a real and lasting change.