From: cryofan@mylinuxisp.com
Date: Wed Apr 02 2003 - 08:17:20 MST
Harvey Newstrom <mail@HarveyNewstrom.com> said:
> Charles Hixson wrote,
> > cryofan@mylinuxisp.com wrote:
> > >I have always thought that the basic premise that diversity
> > is inherently beneficial is flawed
> >
> > There's not conflict here. Homogeneous environments are, when well
> > adapted, more efficient (allowing for requisite
> > specializations). But
> > they are excessively vulnerable to even slight variations in the
> > environment. And they provide fertile ground for any
> > predator, be it a
> > virus or a meme (or anything else). So there is a trade off between
> > short term and long term benefits.
>
> Evolution only works to develop improvements by diversity.
That must explain all those lambs that are part of all lion prides these days.
Come to think of it, you are absolutely right! I have *never* seen any animal
group composed of only ONE type of animal. For example, every antelope herd
has a large contingent of tortoises, and every elephant troop I have ever
seen has at least 10% rhinos and 10% baboons.
>Capitalism only
> develops better products by diversity.
How true. I have never seen a firm improve its competitive position by
focusing on just one product.
>Think tanks only think up new ideas
> by diversity.
Exactly! And that is exactly why all the think tanks have jettisoned their
past policies of only hiring degreed people, and have started hiring half
their faculty from the non-degreed homeless street person population. Out
with the Ivy League degrees, in with the 10th grade dropout, ex-con winos.
>Human thought,
> art, philosophy, and creative thought only occur because of diversity.
Exactly! That is why every successful artist, philosopher and thinker only
devotes a small fraction of their lives to artistry, philosophy
and "thinking." The rest of the time they do things like work at the post
office and rollerblade at the mall on weekends.
Diversity! It's everywhere!
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