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Why is no farmer as famous as Tom Cruise?
I have a lot of affection/appreciation for moviemakers, actors, directors, crew. I really value movies and think they're important. However, I think food is even more important because you will live without movies, but without food you will die. Therefore, I wonder, why is no farmer as famous as Tom Cruise?














Don Wesley 50+
I wonder why you ask the question!
Here is a little story and not just an explanation.
One could say, there are many Farmers and only one Tom.
We could also say, that all Farmers keep us alive.
Shame also rhymes with Fame. And Pride precedes the Fall.
And Fame is temporary.
The Man, I admire the most is young and called Peter Burn, who now owns his own Farm. He believes in God and and looks to him for approval.
He bought a farm with a little down payment 15 years ago.
He sold it just before Christmas for $3.5 Million.
For the same price he bought a new farm with 20% more income and a beautiful 6000 Square Foot Home. He really believes, that “God is pleased with him.”
The new Farm is loaded with labour saving technology.
Peter says he works seven days a week; but only one seventh of each day.
He is a happy man, with a happy wife and children, and seldom asks questions.
I also know another old Farm Owner, named Steen, who rents his land to others.
He is miserable and greedy and doesn't believe in God.
This is a true story. Peter’s Farm also has a healing quality that is truly amazing.
Don Wesley
Colleen Steen 500+
Don Anderson 20+
Presidents,
George Washington
Thomas Jefferson
Jimmy Carter
And others
Businessmen,
Bob Evans
Orville Redenbacher
John Deere
And Famous for the business of farming there is John Chapman (AKA Johnny Appleseed).
Although I guess you could argue that he ran nurseries, and by some that may not be consider farming.
greg dahlen 20+
It seems there ought to be a farmer who is famous like celebrity chefs are famous, a farmer who's famous like Wolfgang Puck and Gordon Ramsey are famous. Yet so far I don't see one. Any idea why not?
Don Anderson 20+
John Deere was a blacksmith, his fame started with the invention of the self-polishing plow blade. Before it farmers had to stop every so often to clean the mud of the blades.
Hmm? I’ll guess that to Wolfgang Puck, Gordon Ramsey and other chefs that there a famous farmers in their world.
But you’re right; people don’t become farmer, for the fame.
Although farmers often do like a little fame, those contest for the biggest pumpkin, best flower, and such are big deals in their world.
Don Wesley 50+
As an old farmer may be inclined to say; call me anything you want but don't call me late for lunch.
Farming and their local villages and government is what we need to get back to.
Bigness is the the cancer that is too big for our global village, its rapidly eating us up to grow itself.
greg dahlen 20+
Don Wesley 50+
The Milk Production in Canada is Managed, to meet the demand.
Your way of reasoning makes small farmers sell out to the bigger.
And Bigness is the growing Cancer that makes the rich get even richer.
greg dahlen 20+
Don Wesley 50+
Your system works that way in the U.S.A.
I said "Milk Production in Canada is Managed, to meet the demand."
So, if Peter produces more than the limit sets, he gets nothing for it!
A Farmer here doesn't go of of business if his neighbour reduces prices.
We need small Farmers with families, to keep our villages alive and prosperous.
If you think the rich don’t get richer, you maybe watching to much TV!
Most all your milk in the US comes from a big organization, and not a prosperous local family. Maybe that is why the USA is “growing” it’s debt!
Economy-of-scale; how about home-economics!
Nothing funny in my logic Greg.
Don
Don Wesley 50+
The more efficient his “value-adding-chain” is, the more time he has to do other good work; like helping a poor soul who needs a helping hand.
Realize Greg, that Peter wants to grow stronger with improved self-esteem.
I think Peter may get some recognition for better farming.
Don
greg dahlen 20+
Don Wesley 50+
When a lawyer can't win the argument he asks questions.
I suspect your leading me somewhere; thank God, I "control" my own answers.
I never owned a farm but I enjoy the healing I get from visiting Peter on his farm.
I made my living selling lessons and solving big problems, in big corporations.
What I did find was fraud and corruption.
As Colleen mentioned elsewhere, running a farm is about managing in an ever changing environment. You can make a very good living for all your family and cows. It isn’t boring if you like it. Each acre feeds one cow, on well managed land; and its yours to decide.
Don
greg dahlen 20+
Do you really not know who Tom Cruise is, that does surprise me, I'd say he and Brad Pitt are the most famous actors in the world. Do you know who Brad Pitt is?
Don Wesley 50+
You mention "enjoy" and I find that refreshing in a Ted-conversation.
Big is where the power is; remember Zimbardo on Ted.
Little guys and gals, get sucked in and do bad things.
I know Brad Pitt, because he acts like my son Stephen, who brilliant and a sociopath.
My Sweetheart Denise, spread tiny lies in Court; and came home with the power of 3 police cars and a Bailiff; evicting me from my Home and destroying all that was mine. I didn't enjoy that abuse, Greg.
Injury; tiny cuts by a thousand knives over five years.
It's the stories I remember. Do you write stories, Greg, for living?
Don
Thaddea Thompson
greg dahlen 20+
James Burns
Eric Hazelle
greg dahlen 20+
edward long 100+
James Burns
edward long 100+
Robert Winner 50+
Studios and agents spend millions on their "stars" to be sure the press, and the fans are leaked the right info and they stay in the news.
Small farmers are becoming a thing of the past. Most big farms are owned by banks and corporations and have on site managers and workers. Farming is expensive, time consuming, and extremely hard labor. That is not glamerous and is hardly a escape from reality that is sought by movie goers.
In the movies the struggling mom with three kids and a louse of a husband who left her ... lives in a nice house, has a nice car, enjoys long baths, good wine, and a knock out wardrobe, every once in a while she does something motherly. Yeah like that is for real. People pay for the right to escape .. to be Marilyn Monroe and travel the world with no money staying at the best hotels and eating in the finest cafes in Europe ... no cares about tomarrow.
It is all about the fight between a escape and reality. Would you rather be James Bond or shoveling cow crap?
I wish you well. Bob.
greg dahlen 20+
Well, we have business leaders whose lives don't seem terribly glamorous, yet still become famous. Like Steve Jobs. Nor is his life about escape. So I'm not sure you've nailed it yet.
Robert Winner 50+
Bill Gates: More famous for being super rich than for achievements. Not a slave to fashion. Private life is very quite. Does not seek the spotlight.
Steve Wozniak: Co founder with Jobs at apple. Not a household name. Quite. Private life almost unknown. Never in spotlight.
Donald Trump: Loves the spotlight. Micromanager. Flamboyant. Super ego.
Steve Jobs: Loves the spotlight. Sought the leadership in Pixlar, Apple, and all other places he worked. Idea generator, visionary, Super A personality. Always in power struggles. Personally introduced all new products ... became the face of Apple. Flamboyant. Charismatic. Egotistic. Workaholic.
We all know a hard charger ... a guy / gal who runs at 300% all the time .... sets their hair on fire and never slow down even when they reach the top. Some of these are simply super achievers who accept and embrace the "challange". Some want the money. Some want the fame. Some want it all.
I don't think that we can make a inferance of "escape" or anything else to CEOs. Each must be looked at individually and maybe the answer to the CEO is as simple as yep that is ole "Harry / Jane alright". Love them or hate them thats just the way they are.
I have been thinking about Jobs. We knew him as the face of Apple ... he put his picture with the brand and the product. For years I knew the picture of him with no name ... Then when he got cancer we all knew about it ... big news ... all media .... picture and name everywhere. All of a sudden that face holding a iPod was Steve Jobs. Did his illness enhance his fame? Why did he only make a TED talk after the illness? I don't mean to be cruel but am looking to answer your question.
All the best. Bob.
greg dahlen 20+
Pabitra Mukhopadhyay 30+
greg dahlen 20+
Don Wesley 50+
You give up your time watching commercials.
greg dahlen 20+
Don Wesley 50+
So you use the electricity that some other body pays for!
They must need your company!
I do everything on my lap top; which is mostly writing.
I watch a DVD movie, if it is beautiful. Who is Tom?
Don
Mohan Dass
Systematic exclusion does not see colour just profit and loss and maybe those mentioned above like things the way they are.
What is important "the singer or the microphone"
What is important "the quality of the food of the plate and accessories"
What is impotant "looking nice or being nice" remember looking nice is very expensive but its profitable, being nice is not.
Barry Palmer 50+
The career and income of Tom Cruise is 100% dependent on fame. Not true of any farmer.
Colleen Steen 500+
greg dahlen 20+
Why couldn't a farmer be famous for his management skills or ability to manage unpredictable weather?
Colleen Steen 500+
A farmer COULD be famous for whatever s/he chooses.....IF.....s/he promoted him/herself in that way.
greg dahlen 20+
Colleen Steen 500+
http://www.ted.com/conversations/17055/the_social_construct_drives_in.html?c=624673
Colleen Steen 500+
Farmers do not generally promote themselves, nor do they have "management teams" to promote them. The reason Tom Cruise, and other actors promote themselves, is to stay visible to the public, so the public likes them, and they can continue to work for big bucks.
How "popular" a farmer is, does not determine the outcome of his/her chosen work. I live in a farming region, and I can tell you that farmers here are more well known and appreciated than Tom Cruise:>)
greg dahlen 20+
Colleen Steen 500+
greg dahlen 20+
Colleen Steen 500+
greg dahlen 20+
Colleen Steen 500+
Yes recognition is fun, and I experienced it on a very small scale as a professional actor, model, singer, dancer, Mrs. Vermont, etc.
Yes, I got to travel, meet people receive ideas and stimulation, etc. I experienced more travel, met more people, learned more ideas and was stimulated MORE with my travels when I was NOT recognized.
The recognition helped me get the attention of people and organizations which I used to further some causes....speaking to the state legislature to encourage better laws regarding domestic violence for example.
Recognition gave me a little more "clout", when dealing with environmental issues with the state environmental board, environmental court, and the USEPA. Recognition helped when testifying before the state legislative committee regarding abuses in correctional facilities.
Recognition, does not necessarily make a person good or bad...useful or not so useful. How we use recognition and/or fame is the important piece, don't you think?
greg dahlen 20+
Colleen Steen 500+
I feel that the interactions I had with people around the world were more authentic....more genuine....when I was not recognized. Sometimes, you know, people want to connect BECAUSE a person is famous, or recognized, and that tends to lead to relationships that are not always genuine....know what I mean? I do not think/feel connections made while in the "spotlight" are always honest or authentic. Interesting....yes.....entertaining and stimulating yes.....authentic and genuine....not always.
If a person "knows" him/herself, we can feel what is authentic and what is not, and we can navigate any situation more effectively. Like I said, fame and recognition does not make a person better or worse, good or bad, useful or not useful. HOW we use the situation makes the difference....in my humble perception:>)
greg dahlen 20+
As far as fame and recognition go, I don't know that being famous by itself makes a person good, it's what being famous says about a person. For example, you were Mrs. Vermont, and even if I never met you, I would say anyone who achieves Mrs. Vermont probably has some really good qualities.
To some degree our chat here seems to be heading toward my other conversation about fame. Wonder how it illuminates my question here? I would have said that farmers were people of great character, but the fact that none of them has become famous makes me wonder, maybe they don't have as great of character as I think.
Colleen Steen 500+
I enjoy all types of people, and who we spend time with is always a choice in any given moment. I do not think/feel that simply being famous, makes a person good or bad, because in my perception, it depends on how a person uses the position.
I agree that this chat is related to your other chat. Well honestly, I perceive EVERYTHING as interconnected, so it doesn't surprise me at all:>)
I agree that farmers are GREAT characters.....I know and respect a LOT of them, because I live in a farming region of a farming state. One thing that always amazes me about framers is that they can do almost anything.....they are very creative, and can make or repair almost anything. They are very in touch with the land, weather patterns and animals. Most farmers in this area do some logging, and sugaring, so they're in the woods a lot, in addition to being aware of weather, when to plant, when to cut and bail hay, cut and chop corn etc. They are very in touch with nature.
One can have GREAT character Greg, and not have a desire or need to be famous:>)
greg dahlen 20+
As farmers go, I then have to return to an earlier question, which is, okay, why hasn't one of them become famous? A model I think of is celebrity chefs. Would you agree with me, Colleen, that twenty years ago there were no celebrity chefs? But now we have some, such as Wolfgang Puck and Gordon Ramsey. Farming is just as interesting, actually more interesting, than cooking. So when are we going to have a celebrity farmer?
Colleen Steen 500+
LOL.....OK......why don't too many farmers become famous? I DON'T KNOW! I have used up all the reasons I have in my bag of tricks...LOL:>) You ARE persistant aren't you my friend?
Yes....I agree....I didn't know about any celebrity chefs twenty years ago. You, my dear friend, are probably creating enough motivation that soon we will see farmers lining up to become famous. I can see it all now....farming competitions. They have that sort of thing now at the country fairs....competions related to farming....horse pulling....log spliting....catching a greased up pig (true....I'm not kidding)!
greg dahlen 20+
I hope some farmers do become famous. I read a lot of articles about gourmet restaurants, and I notice that the restaurants often use the same supplier farms, such as Niman Ranch, Weiser Family Farms, and Snake River Farms, for their gourmet ingredients (this would be in the West, it might be different suppliers where you live). I'm thinking the gourmet restaurants and celebrity chefs may eventually pull the farmers along with them into the fame spotlight. I hope so because I think farming is a very satisfying occupation and as more people learn about it they may get some of that feeling of satisfaction and even start doing some farming themselves.
greg dahlen 20+
Colleen Steen 500+
No, I am not afraid to acknowledge my accomplishments, and what I have done in the life adventure does not make me a better person.....in my perception.
We have a vegetable/fruit farm in my community (northern Vermont), that supplies produce as far as Boston. I believe growers in the west are much bigger than in this area. You may be right regarding celebrity chefs and resturaunts using good organic produce may pull farmers along.
Each year, the Vermont Farm Bureau awards Horse and Dairy Farms, 'Farm of Distinction" recognition, for which the criteria is...safe and secure, management, maintenance, equipment, nutrition, veterinary care, control of pests & vermin, fire protection & prevention, "curb" appeal (overall general appearence of farm & facilities, and relationship with the community (interaction with community organizations and schools, etc.). This may not be the "fame" you are talking about, but it IS recognition and appreciation, at least in the state.
Regarding your question about change......I don't know for sure. I would quess that people start talking about something, as you are doing here, it motivates other people who may want to promote the idea?
There was a local person (nearby community) who appeared on one of those reality shows....best chef....or something like that. I didn't watch it, but apparently it did not go well. When she came back to her bakery/cafe after the show, business dropped drastically, and she went out of business! Apparently, the dynamic of the competition was rough and nasty.
greg dahlen 20+
Like your comment on change. But then the question becomes, why hasn't someone talked about it before? After all, farming has been around thousands of years.
Colleen Steen 500+
Do I think any person is better than any other person?
Better.....no. Different.....yes. We all have different talents and skills, and this to me is part of the beauty of being human. We all have the ability to contribute to the whole, and in my perception, the contribution may be equally valuable to the whole. I believe, only a person in him/herself can determine how beneficial their contribution is. We can look at details of a person's life, and maybe in our own minds perceive more or less contribution, and at the end of the day, it is ONLY the individual him/herself who knows for sure.
You brought Tom Cruise into the discussion....
He is indeed famous. From what we hear, two wives have left him because of violence and abuse. Many of the movies he does are violent....is this a good role model?
Paul Newman is another famous actor...
From what we hear, he received many honorary awards for his humanitarian work, he had 50 loving, respectful years with his wife, "Newman's Own" food company donated all post tax income and royalties to charity (as of June 2012 donations exceed $330 million)......
Both actors.....both famous. I think I said in this discussion, or maybe your other related discussion, that in my perception, it is how we use a position that is important, rather than simply being in that position (fame for example).
Farming has been around thousands of years....why hasn't someone talked about it before?
I believe some folks talk about it a LOT, and some folks not so much. It's been noticed that some kids in city schools have no idea where the food they eat comes from, and I think it would be GREAT to have more educational programs on this topic. I personally am very aware and grateful for farmers and their huge contribution to our well-being:>)
greg dahlen 20+
Actually, I believe Tom left Nicole Kidman. Katie left Tom. Don't remember about his first wife. Never heard anything about violence and abuse.
To me "better" isn't just typical charitable activities. I also think someone could be a better person than most other people if he or she entertained millions of people, after all entertaining people is a kind of service, too, and takes a lot of work and risk.
Right, many people talk about farming, but why haven't we done it enough to where there are famous farmers? After all, farming has been around thousands of years.
Wonder if we could say Abraham was a famous farmer, from the Bible? His occupation was goat farming. Do we think Abraham would have been just as close to God if he had had some other occupation?
Agreed, it's really good to know where your food comes from. What are you, Colleen, doing to get people thinking about this?
On another conversation we were having: Colleen, you were saying there's lots of snails in your garden I could eat. You know, I have observed that snails have a sixth sense. When I first started eating them, I would run across them now and then. Now it's like they see me coming, because I never run across them any more. But it may be that they hate being eaten live, as I do. Perhaps you could harvest them if you then cooked them and ate them, like the French do. Have you eaten cooked snails with butter, quite good.
Colleen Steen 500+
You write..."Agreed, it's really good to know where your food comes from. What are you, Colleen, doing to get people thinking about this?"
I create/work/play in the gardens at my home, which have over 500 varities of perennials, herbs, fruits, veggetables, tropical plants, water features....etc. etc. The gardens have been featured in 4 publications and a TV segment, and folks (including garden clubs, spiritual groups, etc.) have visited for 15 years. Photographers do lots of photos in the gardens, including stock photos, weddings, and other celebratory events. I have also helped many people design, create and plant gardens, with plants supplied from my gardens:>)
http://smugdud.smugmug.com/Quintessential%20Vermont )
I have an opportunity all summer to teach people about how to grow and use fresh food and herbs, and how to use herbs for medicinal purposes. We also often talk about the benefits of growing things in our environment.....cleans the air and water. I speak with people wherever they are with the process....sometimes beginner gardeners just starting out, and sometimes master gardners, looking for new ideas:>)
I have also served on local and regional planning commissions, development review boards and project review committees for about 15 years. These volunteer positions give me the opportunity to encourage environmentally friendly, sustainable development and growth:>)
Cooking and eating the snails in the gardens has been suggested, and it simply does not appeal to me.....thanks for the suggestion anyway:>)
greg dahlen 20+
On the other issue, I may be ill-equipped to say, because I've not really gotten to spend time around farmers and see what they're like as people. I grew up in a suburb where there is no farming. But doesn't it seem like if you have something great to offer, you're going to rise to prominence, that no matter how much you try you can't keep your light hidden under a bushel, other people are going to notice. And the reverse seems true as well, if you don't rise to prominence, it means you don't have much light.
Explain to me how you can have great character and keep your light hidden under a bushel, not become famous.
Colleen Steen 500+
The activities I pursue in this life adventure are all fun, interesting, educational, challenging, contribute to my own learning, growth and evolution, and hopefully contribute to the whole:>)
How did I get into gardening?
My mother was in the gardens when she went into labor for me, so I like to say I was born in a garden:>) My parents had an extensive vegetable garden, as well as fruits and flowers. We (family of 8 kids) had fresh fruits and veggies all summer, and canned from the garden in the winter. I was always in the gardens with my mom, so I learned by doing. It always felt very natural to me, and I've had gardens my whole life.....60+ years.
If you looked at the link, what you see was created when I retired about 15 years ago. There were flower gardens around the house, a veggie garden and herbs, and I kind of got addicted, so the gardens took on a life of their own! I just went along for the ride! LOL:>) It's actually great exercise, creative, supplies the body with good food, and is good for our environment....win/win!
I DO know a lot of farmers, and I think I mentioned in another comment, that my perception of most of them is that they are practical people who are very aware of the earth and the environment. I don't know any farmer who longs for "prominence".
I do not agree that "if you don't rise to prominence, it means you don't have much light." There are LOTS of people in our world who have VERY BRIGHT LIGHTS, and have no desire or need for prominence. Their lights shine brightly, and they have no need for fame.
greg dahlen 20+
Well, on the second question, I tend to think that if you have something great, you feel compelled to share it, you almost can't help yourself. And as you share it, you rise to prominence, because you meet more people, you talk about yourself more, etc. Therefore, I reason, someone who hasn't become prominent probably doesn't have anything that great. Do you disagree with my logic? Where is the flaw?
Colleen Steen 500+
You ask...how did they get into gardening? You mean my parents?
I think it was a lot more common back then for people to have gardens, and raise their own vegetables. They went through the depression with 7 kids (I was born after that). They didn't have much money, and my mother was very conscious of eating healthy food. We never had junk food, soda, etc. The ONLY time we had soda, is once a year, when my mom made a case of home made root beer. I especially remember helping to cap the bottles....seemed like a lot of fun:>)
I simply do not agree with the idea that if someone hasn't become prominent probably s/he doesn't have anything that great to share. I know SO many people who are NOT prominent/famous, who, in my humble perception, have SO much to share.
greg dahlen 20+
Agreed, non-prominent people can have a lot to share. I'm just thinking people who become prominent have even more, as I said before, it seems almost impossible to me that if you have something really good you can hide it.
Colleen Steen 500+
Yeah....I'm probably "unusual".....let me count the ways.....LOL:>) I couldn't resist!
I don't perceive people "hiding" what they have to share. I just don't see a lot of folks seeking prominence or fame.
greg dahlen 20+
What motivated you to seek Mrs. Vermont?
How is it that magazines come and photograph your garden? Do you contact them and tell them it's a good one? What motivates you to do that?
What was your motivation to be in commercials, that's a hard thing to do, you have to have motivation.
Colleen Steen 500+
I share because it feels good to connect with people in that way, and yes, I absolutely love sharing if I have something to share.
I was asked to do the Mrs. Vermont thing, and I said.....sure.....why not? Remember.....I am an explorer and risk taker!
The first magazine the gardens appeared in was because a friend who is a professional photographer took a bunch of photos and submitted them for consideration. I have other friends who are photographers who wanted to do shots in the gardens. Word kind of got around. A friend who has a son who works at a TV station suggested they do a TV segment on the gardens. Most garden clubs in the area know about the gardens. I never contacted ANYONE about visiting the gardens. The gardens were always open to visiters, and folks stopped in all the time. As a matter of fact, a couple years ago, I started discouraging people from coming because I was getting physically tired.....not from the gardens, but because I was helping to care for two sick brothers....one died in January.
The commercial work was an off-shoot of theater. I started doing community musical theater as a way to get back to music. All of a sudden, I was asked to do some TV commercials. After a while, I was over-exposed in this region ( I represented a drug store, insurance co., car dealership, etc. etc....all at the same time).
I was having fun with the adventure, so I went to Boston, got an agent, and started doing commercial work, in- house industrial films, movies and TV, while also moving into professional theater. From there I went to NY and got an agent there. Then I bashed my head in with a horseback riding accident. I have over-sensitivity to light and sound, and balance issues, which kind of put me out of the acting, singing, dancing, modeling business, and that's ok 'cause it was time to move to something else:>)
That's when I was invited to guest lecture at the university and I started doing all the volunteer work.
greg dahlen 20+
It sounds like some things came across your plate without your actively seeking them, but I would say you had special friends, not everyone has a professional photographer for a friend, and that says something about you, too. Also, you did actively seek some difficult things, and that reflects well on you, too. Thus far you have not convinced me that people who acquire positive honors don't have better character than others.
Colleen Steen 500+
I personally knew a couple previous Mrs. Vermonts, we were all involved with an acting/modeling agency. The director thought it would be good for me, so they all talked me into doing it. So, I said in the previous comment, that I was asked to do it, which is true. I still had to do the homework and fullfill the criteria.
Yes Greg, things came across my plate without me seeking them, and there have been times in my life that I've felt kind of lazy, because I didn't pursue things like most other people. It seems like adventures pursued me! As I said before, things just sort of flowed.....one to the next...everything interconnected......and I am a very curious explorer of life.....a risk taker:>)
I'm not trying to convince you of anything Greg. I realize that you choose your own thoughts, feelings and perceptions. I'm simply sharing my perspective:>)
greg dahlen 20+
Well, I did think we were trying to figure out an ambiguous point, Colleen. I tend to think that people who achieve an unusual honor or distinction, such as Mrs. Vermont, have exceptional character. I believe you think they don't, have I understood you correctly? I was rather thinking, or hoping, we would reach a conclusion on which position is correct, and one of us would at least somewhat change his or her position.
Colleen Steen 500+
Yes, It seems like we understand each other....
I believe it is HOW we use the position and opportunity that is the important piece of the puzzle of all life experiences. You may not agree with my perspective, and that is ok:>)
Gail . 50+
Today, most farms are huge corporate conglomerates, so you would have to make pieces of paper (corporate charters) exciting to read before you could stimulate the most meager of interest.
(If you look at the environmental damage that these corporate farms do, you will see how undeserving they are of praise. Lost topsoil and polluted aquifers. Then look at the threat to our survival by reason of economics - where food is sold on the global market even if people are starving to death locally - because corporate charterers of mega companies lack empathy)
greg dahlen 20+
Gail . 50+
greg dahlen 20+
John Gianino
greg dahlen 20+
Why do you ask, John? How could we ever not need farms?
James Burns
greg dahlen 20+
Don Wesley 50+
Have you forgotten cows and milk!
And corn for fuel!
And beef!
My friend Peter feels good about himself.
He works seven days a week, but only one seventh of each day.
He takes splendid holidays.
And he can retire before 55, if he pleases; as a millionaire.
Don
Robert Galway 20+
Random Chance 30+
between fame and famine.
greg dahlen 20+
Robert Galway 20+
Famous doctors, scientists, military leaders, or politicians generally achieve their fame by performing public service, discovering something that can advance humanity, or by putting their lives on the line to protect the masses. This group is both famous and important.
Important is a relative thing. Entertainers and artists might be considered important for their work within the profession, important to their families, and even important to groups for their philanthropy and volunteer work. But their fame is usually not related to these activities.
greg dahlen 20+
Colleen Steen 500+
I agree.
With that in mind, farmers are producing food for us, and in my mind and heart, that is equally as important.
The difference is, that in order to keep people interested in them, so that people will want to "buy" their work, entertainers, artists and athletes, generally need to be recognizable to the public.....yes?
Farmers don't need that recognition....people will continue to buy food.....yes?
Jackson B
greg dahlen 20+
Actually, most of actors' lives are on closed movie sets, where they're not in the public eye.
Lawren Jones 10+
greg dahlen 20+
There are several hundred million businesspeople, and a few have achieved fame.
edward long 100+
Fritzie Reisner 100+
edward long 100+
greg dahlen 20+
edward long 100+
greg dahlen 20+
wonder if fame revolves around doing something new, for example, Bill Gates and Steve Jobs became famous around computers, which are something new on planet earth. Is it possible that farmers rarely do anything new, only follow tried and true methods?
edward long 100+
greg dahlen 20+
Sounds like you wouldn't be into "urban farming," such as having a little vegetable garden and growing a little of your own food, because you would consider it boring. Or am I wrong on that?
I love your point that acting is an ancient practice as well. Thanks for pointing that out.
edward long 100+
greg dahlen 20+
What if you could talk in an interesting, innovative way about growing tomatoes and cucumbers? Then an audience would be interested?
Feels like I'm irritating you, ed, but thus far I can't give up my question. Tell me again why the world mourned when Steve Jobs died, but the world has never mourned when a farmer died.
At some point I should read about Eli Whitney. He's the closest I can think of to a famous farmer, but I don't know if he farmed or only invented farm machinery.
Could it be that no farmer has gotten to the size where he touched the whole world, that most farmers are only feeding their local neighbors.
edward long 100+
greg dahlen 20+
edward long 100+
greg dahlen 20+
True that spectacular things happen in a Tom Cruise movie, but we the audience know they're all fake. So what is his fame based on?
edward long 100+
greg dahlen 20+
edward long 100+
greg dahlen 20+
edward long 100+
greg dahlen 20+