I’m speaking of hobbyists, primarily. I’m not painting an entire field, either. I’m saying there is a subset of people who participate who don’t take it seriously enough or recognize the gravity of their role as caretaker of these creatures.
If this was the default, beekeeping couldn’t really exist.
I’ve known a few people to keep hives and have them collapse over what likely amounts to negligence. It’s not evil negligence so much as the result of wanting it to be easier and less hands on than it is. The reason I don’t have hives (despite years of wanting to explore the practice) is that I recognize there are challenges I’m not equipped to face and special knowledge to care for the bees properly that I don’t yet have. I’ll hold off until I’ve got the right time, space, preparedness, and other factors sorted out.
Some people charge into it and kill a ton of bees, over and over, not seeming to realize how crucial their role as a caretaker is. This is true of many roles as caretakers of animals. Even people with dogs sometimes fail miserably, expecting amazing results with totally inadequate inputs.
My point isn’t that there’s anything wrong with beekeeping. Or aquaria for that matter. I love keeping fish. My point is that many people get into these things and cause a ton of suffering and seem oblivious to or inconvenienced by proper caretaking practices.
If this was the default, beekeeping couldn’t really exist.
I’ve known a few people to keep hives and have them collapse over what likely amounts to negligence. It’s not evil negligence so much as the result of wanting it to be easier and less hands on than it is. The reason I don’t have hives (despite years of wanting to explore the practice) is that I recognize there are challenges I’m not equipped to face and special knowledge to care for the bees properly that I don’t yet have. I’ll hold off until I’ve got the right time, space, preparedness, and other factors sorted out.
Some people charge into it and kill a ton of bees, over and over, not seeming to realize how crucial their role as a caretaker is. This is true of many roles as caretakers of animals. Even people with dogs sometimes fail miserably, expecting amazing results with totally inadequate inputs.
My point isn’t that there’s anything wrong with beekeeping. Or aquaria for that matter. I love keeping fish. My point is that many people get into these things and cause a ton of suffering and seem oblivious to or inconvenienced by proper caretaking practices.