The Future of Farming is Now

by | Nov 28, 2020 | Agriculture, Coffee Break, Insights, Technology, Voices

The title of this 7-minute TEDEd video is “Can We Create the Perfect Farm?”  As with a lot of future predictions, the techniques being proposed are already in production around the globe.

The video is correct – it will take global cooperative effort to succeed in adopting these practices as the norm, and it will also take consumer understanding and support of the agriculture industry’s efforts to be more sustainable and environmentally friendly while maintaining the production levels necessary to feed the world.

PETA’s Selective Mission

by | Nov 9, 2020 | Agriculture, Insights, Voices

Also known as, “Don’t Believe the Hype,” or “We Are More Into the Politics than the Animals,” or “People Encouraging Their own Agenda.”

Link to the article: PETA Offers Unconvincing Defense For The High Kill Rate In Its “Shelter”

Frankly, I was surprised that PETA operates a shelter.  PETA seems more interested in the vegan platform than in managing the issues of overpopulation of cats and dogs.  My expectation is that this represents a token effort to include a shelter on the checkbox of their accomplishments.

This article provides data about the PETA “Open Admission” shelter in Virginia which shows that PETA euthanizes an average of 65% of the animals it takes in – which is a rate of as much as 13 times the state rate (for dogs) and more than 11 times the state rate of euthanasia for cats.    65% – let that number sink in.  More than 6 out of every 10 animals delivered to this shelter are euthanized.

PETA does not dispute the findings – but tries to defend the statistics by saying that this shelter is an “open admission” shelter, as opposed to the much more selective “no kill” shelters.  (PETA ironically uses the term “safe place” where no animal is turned away, ever)  However, that claim is not supported by the facts.  In Virginia, the average euthanasia rate for all other “open admission” shelters is 14% (cats and dogs) compared with PETA’s shelter euthanasia rate at 65% (cats and dogs).

The moral of the story is – don’t take your pet (or your money) to PETA.  If they really cared about animals, they would spend more of their money actually saving animals – not euthanizing them.

25 Definitive Tech Moments in 25 Years

by | Oct 22, 2020 | Insights, Technology

From Fast Company – landmark events that shaped our online culture, access, and habits (click link below to the full article):

25 moments in tech that defined the past 25 years

It’s interesting to scroll down the list and see the progression of technology and how it invaded our lives and consciousness.  Those of us who are (ahem) a bit older might recall living through these achievements.

NOTE the video below – in 1996, AT&T offered 5 hours of FREE internet every month.