Posted by:
agbull100
at Sun Aug 19 07:37:53 2007 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by agbull100 ]
Homo sapiens.
I think it is part of the nature of the beast (humans) to complicate almost everything, not just Varanus husbandry.
The KISS (keep it simple, stupid) is used extensively in drug and alcohol rehab programs. It this case, people in these programs generate complicated justifications for their drug or alcohol use.
It seems that people tend to complicate their lives for entertainment, for excitement (especially the adrenaline rush), to feel important, or feel a purpose for their lives. Sometimes, it is just to have something to talk about.
Simplicity is generally equated with boring. The quest for simplicity is somewhat against the nature of humans, even though there is something appealing about it. For example, “On Walden Pond” by Henry David Thoreau.
It is also about the money. It is about making the money to buy things we don’t need so someone else can make money to do the same thing.
In the case of reptile husbandry, I think the general train of thought is: if PH (pet shop husbandry) does not work for a species, then the husbandry automatically must be more complicated.
In the case of Varanus husbandry, there is complexity, or a better word might be difficulty, in the simplicity. Most people must and/or want to keep monitors in their house or apartment. In most cases, a trough filled with several hundred pounds of dirt with proper heat, cool, and humidity does not fit well in the living room, bedroom, or even the basement. Then one is not enough. How many animals are enough? That is a whole ‘nother thread! Ditto for the food supply. I am amazed at how many people do not understand that frozen mice belong in the freezer next to the steaks. To summarize this part of my thought, it takes a special use area or building with special use items, cages, etc. to properly support Varanus . This is true for most reptiles in any numbers past 1 or 2. So there is complexity in the simplicity of keeping Varanus. Because special use areas and equipment are not possible, or are only partially possible, for so many keepers, I think many revert to PH, and try to compensate with complexity. If a person can only supply a fish tank with a wire cover, they try to force the animal to survive in those conditions, and then look for a complicated reason why they fail and a complicated remedy.
Quoting FR,
“The focal point is, why do people make something so easy, so complicated. I imagine this is the question I am seaching for an answer for.
Its odd, most ask me questions to fill a need. In this, I have that need to be addressed, yet it never gets answered. I try to figure out why people start complicated and work towards making it simplier later.”
The simple answer is: it is in the nature of the beast = human nature.
I suppose a person could get all physico-babble and try to understand why this is, but in keeping with the theme of the KISS, it is easier to recognize what is, and deal with it.
It appears to me that you (FR) have taken on the job of helping people untie the complicated knot we have made for ourselves by our own nature in the area of reptile husbandry. This is a good thing. In my case, you have helped more than I can express.
Thank you,
AG Bull
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A complicated species = - agbull100, Sun Aug 19 07:37:53 2007