Comment Re:mod this up, people (Score 1) 751
Again, you make an assumption that the environmental issues are a direct result of greater scale an efficiency. If a corporate farm is irresponsibly dumping hog waste in the North Carolina wetlands, that is not a direct result of more scalable hog farming. That is a problem with the standards set which regulate the industry. Think carefully before jumping to any conclusion that that type of irresponsibility doesn't occur on a smaller scale! I guess it's too late... you already called family farms "more ecological". Hogwash!! I grew up on a small family farm myself, btw. It was surrounded by other family farms. Out of all of them, I can't think of a single one that wouldn't have had the EPA climbing all over them at one point or another had the EPA been all knowing. I guess small scale atrocities, albeit thousands of them, don't compare to the "evil corporation" tactics, huh?
I absolutely agree that big business is more cut throat however, and that it partially contributes to it's success. However, I would hardly be ready to generally categorize the small family farms as "more ethical". I don't think it's ethical to take a handout from the government to preserve "MY" personal way of life. Sure, I don't find it nearly as pleasant or satisfying to move into a city. My first choice would be to live out my life how I grew up, which would require everyone else to subsidize my existence. Don't you think that's a bit selfish though? How ethical is that? How widespread is that selfishness today?
The economies of scale are undeniable, and as a society we would be idiots not to try to take advantage of them. That in no way implies that it should go unregulated per environmental concerns of course.
I absolutely agree that big business is more cut throat however, and that it partially contributes to it's success. However, I would hardly be ready to generally categorize the small family farms as "more ethical". I don't think it's ethical to take a handout from the government to preserve "MY" personal way of life. Sure, I don't find it nearly as pleasant or satisfying to move into a city. My first choice would be to live out my life how I grew up, which would require everyone else to subsidize my existence. Don't you think that's a bit selfish though? How ethical is that? How widespread is that selfishness today?
The economies of scale are undeniable, and as a society we would be idiots not to try to take advantage of them. That in no way implies that it should go unregulated per environmental concerns of course.
