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> There seem to be a lot of hobbies or activities like beekeeping where people seriously neglect the animals' needs yet seem quite oblivious to it. I’m sorry b

> There seem to be a lot of hobbies or activities like beekeeping where people seriously neglect the animals' needs yet seem quite oblivious to it. I’m sorry but what?? On what basis are you making this remark? Do you really think the generations of people who have researched and kept bees are all doing so neglectfully? Look - you may not like the way bees are transported for the almond harvest (which could be a reasonable argument), but that’s not what your comment indicated. Instead you painted our entire field - which is quite broad in itself - with a massive brush as though we are all neglectful by default. So as a beekeeper, I would challenge that your statement above is seriously out of line, especially as the rest of your argument is about an entirely separate field with no examples given from beekeeper - commercial or otherwise.

steve_adams_86 3y ago
I’m speaking of hobbyists, primarily. I’m not painting an entire field, either. I’m saying there is a subset of people who participate who don’t take it seriously enough or recognize the gravity of their role as caretaker of these creatures. If this was the default, beekeeping couldn’t really exist. I’ve known a few people to keep hives and have them collapse over what likely amounts to negligence. It’s not evil negligence so much as the result of wanting it to be easier and less hands on than it is. The reason I don’t have hives (despite years of wanting to explore the practice) is that I recognize there are challenges I’m not equipped to face and special knowledge to care for the bees properly that I don’t yet have. I’ll hold off until I’ve got the right time, space, preparedness, and other factors sorted out. Some people charge into it and kill a ton of bees, over and over, not seeming to realize how crucial their role as a caretaker is. This is true of many roles as caretakers of animals. Even people with dogs sometimes fail miserably, expecting amazing results with totally inadequate inputs. My point isn’t that there’s anything wrong with beekeeping. Or aquaria for that matter. I love keeping fish. My point is that many people get into these things and cause a ton of suffering and seem oblivious to or inconvenienced by proper caretaking practices.

steve_adams_86 3y ago

I’m speaking of hobbyists, primarily. I’m not painting an entire field, either. I’m saying there is a subset of people who participate who don’t take it seriously enough or recognize the gravity of their role as caretaker of these creatures. If this was the default, beekeeping couldn’t really exist. I’ve known a few people to keep hives and have them collapse over what likely amounts to negligence. It’s not evil negligence so much as the result of wanting it to be easier and less hands on than it is. The reason I don’t have hives (despite years of wanting to explore the practice) is that I recognize there are challenges I’m not equipped to face and special knowledge to care for the bees properly that I don’t yet have. I’ll hold off until I’ve got the right time, space, preparedness, and other factors sorted out. Some people charge into it and kill a ton of bees, over and over, not seeming to realize how crucial their role as a caretaker is. This is true of many roles as caretakers of animals. Even people with dogs sometimes fail miserably, expecting amazing results with totally inadequate inputs. My point isn’t that there’s anything wrong with beekeeping. Or aquaria for that matter. I love keeping fish. My point is that many people get into these things and cause a ton of suffering and seem oblivious to or inconvenienced by proper caretaking practices.