Re: Line breeding vs hybridization

From: Neil Carroll zzamia at hargray.com> on 2001.06.22 at 05:20:54(6823) Ron, It is rare that I have read such furious defense of the keeping of "pure" species and such an aversion to hybridization. I personally am a species collector because I enjoy the beauty of what I am attracted to. But, beyond the taxonomists' obvious frustration with hybridizers, I see no reason to viscously attack those who wish to hybridize. Your point of view seems to exclude and put "outside of Nature" humans. I can think of no scenario that excludes humans from nature. We and what we do are intricatly and inextricably a part of Nature. NO matter how "obscene" you think people are. +More Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I like Anthurium but find Spaths rather banal. I find Amorph. and Dracontium beautiful but know that the population at large would find them ugly. The plants we enjoy are enjoyed because of a VISUAL beauty we find in them. I have heard many taxonomists , who mostly deal with "ornamental" or collector species (particularly aroids, bromeliads, orchids, etc.), that speak of the particular "beauty" over this or that species. In ornamentals people hybridize to try to find more "beauty" in what they grow. This is there opinion. It is no less valid than yours. To belittle and accuse people of doing some sort of irreparable harm is unfair and very narrow in vision. The big bang brought us in and a singularity may take us out.......so enjoy ......and let others enjoy. Maybe you all are just kidding Neil

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