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From: rbowman <bowman@montana.com>
Newsgroups: alt.folklore.computers,comp.os.linux.misc
Subject: Re: OT ; Re: The joy of FORTRAN
Date: 4 Oct 2024 03:26:18 GMT
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On Thu, 3 Oct 2024 22:26:14 -0000 (UTC), Lawrence D'Oliveiro wrote:

> On 3 Oct 2024 18:38:19 GMT, rbowman wrote:
> 
>> India was in dire straights in the '70s. The Green Revolution allowed
>> them to feed the starving -- who proceeded to reproduce.
> 
> Interesting how you frame the history of other countries that way, but
> not your own. (“Dust Bowl”, anybody?)

The Dust Bowl was caused by farming land that probably never should have 
been farmed, at least not using the methods applicable to the eastern US. 
Starvation wasn't widespread although it was in the middle of the 
Depression. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dust_Bowl

"Capital-intensive agribusiness had transformed the scene; deep wells into 
the aquifer, intensive irrigation, the use of artificial pesticides and 
fertilizers, and giant harvesters were creating immense crops year after 
year whether it rained or not. According to the farmers he interviewed, 
technology had provided the perfect answer to old troubles, such of the 
bad days would not return. In Worster's view, by contrast, the scene 
demonstrated that America's capitalist high-tech farmers had learned 
nothing. They were continuing to work in an unsustainable way, devoting 
far cheaper subsidized energy to growing food than the energy could give 
back to its ultimate consumers."

The 'miracle' was achieved by pumping the Ogallala Aquifer. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ogallala_Aquifer

It's fossil water, meaning it's leftover from the last ice age. Because of 
the soil structure and the fact it is still a semi-arid region, recharge 
is extremely slow. In other words, when it's gone, it's gone and it's time 
to try to pull another rabbit out of the hat.

Here is another stellar example of plannign:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_Butz

He started the 'get big or get out' program of huge industrial farms. It 
drove the family farmers out of business. His goal was to ensure cheap 
food, since a hungry population tends to want to barbecue politicians. So 
far it has worked, more or less, although diverting dent corn to ethanol 
production isn't helping. 

Meanwhile the politicians want to invite in the world's trash for more 
consumers, no matter what cheap Chinese crap they are consuming, and 
supplying unskilled labor for the most part. 

So, yes, the US is as fucked up if not more fucked up than most countries. 
No fear, Qeumala to the rescue.