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Posted: Sat Jul 08, 2006 8:29 pm
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In the store where I work, we have geodes which have had a dye applied to them. They are colored in bright pinks and blues and greens.
We also have frog purses. That is, cane toads whose skins have been made into purses, cell phone holders, bow ties, etc.
Now, we get a lot more people complaining about cruelty to the frogs (which are killed humanely) than about the crystals.
This bothers me. In my opinion, the frog bags are far less disturbing. The cane toads are destroying the islands they've been transplanted to. And the farmers are paying the government to get rid of them. Well, the government could sell the toads to a research organizations for about a penny per unit, or the government can sell them to the craftsman who buys them for a couple dollars apiece. Given that millions of these things need to be killed, the farmers would have to pay a huge amount of money out-of-pocket. But this way, the government can waive some of the cost, protecting their economy and ecology together.
Meanwhile, natural crystals are dyed only to make them more eye-catching. They look horribly tacky to me. Even the stone matrix catches the dye, turning it splotchy and making it look more chalky.
Which of these would you like better? Both products came from man's tampering with nature, so how far do you think is too far when it comes to altering the earth?
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Posted: Sat Jul 08, 2006 9:20 pm
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Posted: Sat Jul 08, 2006 10:03 pm
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Posted: Sat Jul 08, 2006 10:16 pm
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Well, the cane toad's a different kind of "tampering with nature" altogether, in my eyes. People introducing animals into ecosystems with only the thought of the immediate single effect it will have, without thought of what effect it may have on the remainder of the ecosystem. I'll admit, I think a dyed geode's butt-ugly, but that's just usually because the color, as Aesi pointed out, is usually very off-kilter and obviously fake. Doesn't offend my sensibilities, just my aesthetics. I'll take the cane toad purse, though - can you stamp mine with "redeeming a stupid mistake, one immortal amphibian at a time"?
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Posted: Sat Jul 08, 2006 10:37 pm
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Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 5:38 pm
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Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 6:09 pm
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Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 6:51 pm
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Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 6:55 pm
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Henry Dorsett Case TeaDidikai Crazy Bananna Hmm, I've got to say that I'm on the side of the toads. It's just a question of wheather these toads will get another chance at life. While the crystals can still be made back into rock, the toads can't be toads again. Simple. Yes. Because frogs slaughtering native populations is so much better than a bit of dye on some rocks. Do it for the Northern Quoll! Actually, I've got a friend who works for the Oz gov't. - she recently confided in me that if she sees a cane toad on the road, she swerves - and usually sees a couple cars following suit. That being toward the toad, mind you. I don't blame her. They're a blight. Just like the feral cats and the rabbits.
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Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 7:05 pm
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TeaDidikai Henry Dorsett Case Do it for the Northern Quoll! Actually, I've got a friend who works for the Oz gov't. - she recently confided in me that if she sees a cane toad on the road, she swerves - and usually sees a couple cars following suit. That being toward the toad, mind you. I don't blame her. They're a blight. Just like the feral cats and the rabbits. Don't blame her? Hell, I commend her. Then again, that might be because she's one of only three females I'd gladly pick up and move to be closer to.
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Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 7:16 pm
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Henry Dorsett Case TeaDidikai Henry Dorsett Case Do it for the Northern Quoll! Actually, I've got a friend who works for the Oz gov't. - she recently confided in me that if she sees a cane toad on the road, she swerves - and usually sees a couple cars following suit. That being toward the toad, mind you. I don't blame her. They're a blight. Just like the feral cats and the rabbits. Don't blame her? Hell, I commend her. Then again, that might be because she's one of only three females I'd gladly pick up and move to be closer to. I had that effect on my husband. sweatdrop
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Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 8:06 pm
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Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 8:22 pm
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Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 8:29 pm
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TeaDidikai Henry Dorsett Case TeaDidikai I had that effect on my husband. sweatdrop *chuckles* You're the one of those three that I'm *not* interested in in any romantic sense. Wait... did you just admit that you feel like packing up and moving to be closer to me? eek Yeah, pretty much. I'd move closer to Wing, too, but I'm pretty sure he doesn't count as female.
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Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 8:41 pm
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Henry Dorsett Case TeaDidikai Henry Dorsett Case TeaDidikai I had that effect on my husband. sweatdrop *chuckles* You're the one of those three that I'm *not* interested in in any romantic sense. Wait... did you just admit that you feel like packing up and moving to be closer to me? eek Yeah, pretty much. I'd move closer to Wing, too, but I'm pretty sure he doesn't count as female. If you want proof one way or the other, you can always bid on the pics.
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