A "Seller's" view on the hobby.......
- Thread starter oddballer
- Start date
Yeah now that i think about it that the creep was using me........ I was even the top salesperson there..... people couldn't help but trust everything i said....... but i really am grateful for the oppurtunity........ I was able to take fish home for free and bring em back when i get bored...... books and more importantly the experience of keeping all types of fish......... it was a legendary store back in days........ today there are 6 stores in a 5mile radius of that original store.........
This is so weird........ I really never expected this type of response form you guys........
but its refreshing to know people comprehend........ there's always two sides to every story and the truth usually lies somewhere along the middle.........
This is so weird........ I really never expected this type of response form you guys........
but its refreshing to know people comprehend........ there's always two sides to every story and the truth usually lies somewhere along the middle.........
This was the first time i read this..and you oddballer are very impressive writer and agree or disagree you made some really sharp points .. and you wrote it so natural that it was like you were speaking from the heart..i enjoyed it very much..and better late then never.
OT: Oddball, one thing still stands: Importers ARE just about making money. Like it or not, everyone in any industry is just about making money, bottom line. The problem arises when they put aside morality to cut costs.
The dyed fish... Yeah, if I had to feed my family I would probably make some moral sacrifices, if need be. But that doesn't excuse the people on the retail end who buy them. Boycotting inhumane practices may sometimes lead to people losing their livelihood, but that is the way it goes! With regard to fish stores with mistreated stock... I don't care what anyway says, that isn't right. I would never say "well, puppy mills helped people learn the joys of raising a dog" and I'll never be thankful that all those fish with ich in Wal-Mart helped a kid grow-up and love fish. Fish will never be recognized on the same level as dogs or cats, but you'll never be able to convince me they are any different. They should be treated with respect, period. or period period period ... ... ... 
Great rant.
It is good to hear from concerned hobbyist on the other side of the industry. I think someone already said it best when he/she expressed the role of supply and demand in fishkeeping. Like all institutions, the fish industry is plagued with problems that must be endured until we, as humans, truly understand our influence towards nature and man's economy. In the end, it all comes down to the individual fishkeepers' role in a bigger, varied ocean of fish hobbyists. I find Oddballer's opinions/ideas as something that should be more widely accepted/shared by those who have influence in fishkeeping
But since you wanted someone to argue with you..
"god never intended for them to exist.......... well....... did god make Coca Cola? no he made water........ did god make automobiles...... no he made horses........ did god make clothing? no he made leaves and branches......... but this is different you say..... because we are dealing with "Live" animals....... its not our place to mess with nature........"
I dont know how well this will be accepted, but free-speech right..?
In the 21st century, apart from the individual's right to belief and religion, using "god" as a scientific reference(that is what we are trying to accomplish right?), or argument for the existence for something- it's all kind of irrational. While I can't disprove that a god/creator did not make water, horses, leaves or branches- I can argue that just b/c man can make the automobile, the horse species was never naturally intended for transportation. As fish hobbyist, more specifically, as humans, we do not fit into a niche in nature, we create our own. That's why when we argue about messing with nature, i.e. tattooed fish, it's not so much destroying the beauty of god's handy work, but more about our constant interaction with the world/animals that we live with. While I have no interest in red tattooed hearts on another blood parrot, I understand the human interest in the "new", "different", or "customized" and the demand for such silly modifications. What I do find interesting is modifying fish to be superior in its/their environment. Whether creating stronger, more hardier strains, or giving a fish an edge to it's surroundings, human involvement in fish breeding/keeping is inevitable but should be constantly critiqued by all fish keepers, with societies norms/morals/ethics in mind.
now let me apologize to those I have offended, if any, and for my long reply. flame away.
It is good to hear from concerned hobbyist on the other side of the industry. I think someone already said it best when he/she expressed the role of supply and demand in fishkeeping. Like all institutions, the fish industry is plagued with problems that must be endured until we, as humans, truly understand our influence towards nature and man's economy. In the end, it all comes down to the individual fishkeepers' role in a bigger, varied ocean of fish hobbyists. I find Oddballer's opinions/ideas as something that should be more widely accepted/shared by those who have influence in fishkeeping
But since you wanted someone to argue with you..
"god never intended for them to exist.......... well....... did god make Coca Cola? no he made water........ did god make automobiles...... no he made horses........ did god make clothing? no he made leaves and branches......... but this is different you say..... because we are dealing with "Live" animals....... its not our place to mess with nature........"
I dont know how well this will be accepted, but free-speech right..?
In the 21st century, apart from the individual's right to belief and religion, using "god" as a scientific reference(that is what we are trying to accomplish right?), or argument for the existence for something- it's all kind of irrational. While I can't disprove that a god/creator did not make water, horses, leaves or branches- I can argue that just b/c man can make the automobile, the horse species was never naturally intended for transportation. As fish hobbyist, more specifically, as humans, we do not fit into a niche in nature, we create our own. That's why when we argue about messing with nature, i.e. tattooed fish, it's not so much destroying the beauty of god's handy work, but more about our constant interaction with the world/animals that we live with. While I have no interest in red tattooed hearts on another blood parrot, I understand the human interest in the "new", "different", or "customized" and the demand for such silly modifications. What I do find interesting is modifying fish to be superior in its/their environment. Whether creating stronger, more hardier strains, or giving a fish an edge to it's surroundings, human involvement in fish breeding/keeping is inevitable but should be constantly critiqued by all fish keepers, with societies norms/morals/ethics in mind.
now let me apologize to those I have offended, if any, and for my long reply. flame away.
