Go back
Agriculture is artificial

Agriculture is artificial

Debates

Vote Up
Vote Down

Well, is it?

If no, can you define artificial in a way that excludes agriculture and is still internally consistent with all scenarios?

Vote Up
Vote Down

No.

Fair enough, agriculture is something that humans create. but most of it would grow and be anyway which in my mind means that it would not be artificial

Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by Palynka
Well, is it?

If no, can you define artificial in a way that excludes agriculture and is still internally consistent with all scenarios?
Does that mean organic produce is really...really ARTIFICIAL?

Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by Palynka
Well, is it?

If no, can you define artificial in a way that excludes agriculture and is still internally consistent with all scenarios?
of course it is - it's laughable when people look at rolling fields of crops and say that that's 'nature'. A bit closer to nature than concrete maybe, but still an artificial culturing of specific species that we find beneficial, plus the secondary growth of other species that happen to be able to co-exist in this environment.

So, now that's established, what's your point?

1 edit
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by Fettzilla
No.

Fair enough, agriculture is something that humans create. but most of it would grow and be anyway which in my mind means that it would not be artificial
You think wheat would ever have evolved the way it has without human intervention? Wheat is outcompeted pretty routinely in the real world, which is why it doesn't exist outside of wheat fields. What about brocolli, cabbage, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, kolrali? All the same species you know? How "natural" do you think that is?

Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by Palynka
Well, is it?

If no, can you define artificial in a way that excludes agriculture and is still internally consistent with all scenarios?
Are beavers natural? Are their dams natural?
Are we natural? Is what we create natural?

Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by scottishinnz
You think wheat would ever have evolved the way it has without human intervention? Wheat is outcompeted pretty routinely in the real world, which is why it doesn't exist outside of wheat fields. What about brocolli, cabbage, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, kolrali? All the same species you know? How "natural" do you think that is?
Are all symbiotic evolutionary adaptations unnatural? If one species influences the evolutionary development of another species, or if two species evolve in relationship to one another, would that be unnatural? Evolution doesn't just 'happen' in a vacuum. There are causal relations all along the way. If mankind takes a more active role in the evolutionary development of wheat, or cabbage, is that a difference of degree or of kind?

Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by rwingett
Are all symbiotic evolutionary adaptations unnatural? If one species influences the evolutionary development of another species, or if two species evolve in relationship to one another, would that be unnatural? Evolution doesn't just 'happen' in a vacuum. There are causal relations all along the way. If mankind takes a more active role in the evolutionary development of wheat, or cabbage, is that a difference of degree or of kind?
Of course. I agree, however, if we're taking the "humans = non-natural" stance then agriculture is not natural. The situation of a million wheat plants huddling together in a hectare would not happen without human intervention. Of course, r, you know as well as I that this comes down to definitions.

Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by belgianfreak
of course it is - it's laughable when people look at rolling fields of crops and say that that's 'nature'. A bit closer to nature than concrete maybe, but still an artificial culturing of specific species that we find beneficial, plus the secondary growth of other species that happen to be able to co-exist in this environment.

So, now that's established, what's your point?
I agree.

My point is that many people tend to think of 'bio' food or wine as 'natural' and that is inconsistent with a coherent definition of artificial, in my opinion.

Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by Palynka
Well, is it?

If no, can you define artificial in a way that excludes agriculture and is still internally consistent with all scenarios?
What in sweet Jesus' name are you ranting on about?
Are you suggesting carrots are not really carrots?

Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by shavixmir
What in sweet Jesus' name are you ranting on about?
Are you suggesting carrots are not really carrots?
Depends what you do with them. It can be quite unnatural, I tell ya.

Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by Palynka
Depends what you do with them. It can be quite unnatural, I tell ya.
I once woke up with a carrot in my bed.
It wasn't soiled though, so I think I must have just had a case of the munchies.

Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by shavixmir
I once woke up with a carrot in my bed.
It wasn't soiled though, so I think I must have just had a case of the munchies.
Maybe you just had an enema before.

Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by Palynka
Maybe you just had an enema before.
Surely one would remember such an experience!

Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by shavixmir
Surely one would remember such an experience!
I don't remember any. Do you remember any? Does anyone here remember such an experience?

We might be on to something here. Something big. Something important.