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The avocado is an evolutionary anachronism

smithsonianmag.com

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Re: The avocado is an evolutionary anachronism

#61
post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've seen squirrels carry them to eat later (it's a ridiculous sight), but humans imported both the squirrels and avocados here (the Bay Area).

In what sense did humans import squirrels to the bay area?

I'm actually not sure if cities in the bay area did, but lots of other cities did: https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/uptown-squirrel/

Re: The avocado is an evolutionary anachronism

#62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've seen squirrels carry them to eat later (it's a ridiculous sight), but humans imported both the squirrels and avocados here (the Bay Area).

Avocado is a perfectly North American plant.

Not this far north.

Re: The avocado is an evolutionary anachronism

#63
post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In what sense did humans import squirrels to the bay area?

I'm actually not sure if cities in the bay area did, but lots of other cities did: https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/uptown-squirrel/

Thanks for sharing this. That article is very interesting. I only thought about the fact that squirrels were a native species and didn't consider the fact that cities are not "natural".

Re: The avocado is an evolutionary anachronism

#64
post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It changes everything in may opinion, but this is highly subjective as it is a human-to-human moral judgment. My view on the topic is that there is a predefined innate concept of a good life for all complex life, including cows, and with my current knowledge I see no reason why a cow in a farm would be unable to live a good life. Obviously in too many cases industrial optimization is clearly opposed to this, still I…

In a hypothetical reality where they are not slaughtered so early in their life cycle just because humans want something that tastes more interesting than grain, I could agree with that sentiment. That's not the reality we live in, however.

With this I can agree, mostly due to the fact that cows form (I believe) family bonds.
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