From benbrook@hillnet.comSat Mar 16 10:14:35 1996
Date: Sat, 16 Mar 1996 00:54:46 -0500
From: Charles Benbrook <benbrook@hillnet.com>
To: sanet-mg@amani.ces.ncsu.edu
Subject: Respone to John Ikerd

I remember maybe 6 or 8 years ago hearing John Ikerd deliver his three legs
of the stool lecture.  I have not learned much since about the essential
dimensions of sustainability.  They existed before John's thoughtful 3-leg
analogy, and will exist long after we are all gone.  I do tire of the
discussions about sustainability, paradigm shifts, etc., as does Pat Madden
and many others who have been involved in this "discussion", or reflection
for a long time.  Paradigms do not shift because people conduct research and
publish in peer reviewed journals information that shows paradigms need to
or should change.  Paradigms are rooted in the real world.  They change when
the world changes.  
        I am interested in more discussion about real world things happening
on farms.  The paradigm will shift only after what farmers are doing has
shifted.  This is because paradigms can be and are sustained by people,
industries, gov't and private funders, the church, and others who are
willing to invest energy, time, resources in communications designed to
defend the old and raise questions about the new.
        So, any more thoughts out there about the role of microbial
communities in creating disease and weed suppressive soils?
        I see in the latest issue of the J. of Soil and Water Cons. an
article on soil P levels and when regulation should kick in.  The bottom
line has major consequences on how long a mega-pork operation can function
in a given place (maybe 10-15 years if soil P not elevated to start).  
        Everyone interested in public health policy and regulation should
first read Theo Colborn et all book re endocrine disruptors, "Our Stolen
Future", before you let your mind be influenced by what anyone else says
about it.  Its really a fun read, in any event.  I am doing
research/analysis on endo. disrutpting pesticides and the bottom line is
sell Monsanto/Dow, buy IPM.  
        Paradigms are sort of like religions.  They do not change because of
pressure from the outside.  Its a more organic process.