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Re: Conventional resistance to organic
> tectonics explained a lot of observed phenomena; as applied science, tectonics
> helped petroleum companies find hydrocarbon deposits, and helped metal mining
> companies locate seabed mineral sources . . . thus i would suggest that the
> mainstream opposition to tectonics dissolved because tectonic based models
> facilitated corporate profits
Actually, I wouldn't say that's true at all, which is what makes it an
interesting comparison. I can't think of a single energy deposit found
as a result of global tectonic understanding, nor any mineral deposits
either for that matter [not saying there aren't *any* but probably nothing
significant enough to single-handedly fatten any bottom lines.
Prospecting is rather like farm equipment maintenance -- ie pretty
neutral and not really dependent on the over-arching philosophy
shaping thought about the entire system. Most deposits are found as
a result of understanding rock structure and chemistry on a local
or area scale, as opposed to regional or global scale.
Based on what I've seen in my work as a field agronomist, quite a few
farmers are arriving at the conclusing that the path to sustainability
is also the path to *profitability.* The reasons I regularly hear for
why a farmer is switching away from chemicals almost always start with
"too expensive and they don't work anyhow," followed by "they're
dangerous to use and pollute the environment."
A lot of farmers are already discounting what comes out of Extension
and academia because they see it as biased, out-of-date, not
particularly to their advantage unhealthy for the environment.
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