The Issue of Ivory

[Rick]

Is it ironic that even Mammoth ivory falls under this proscription?

[A. G. Maisey]

You may well be right Tim.

However, ivory has been a part of the Human Experience for tens of thousands of years. I rather feel that an appreciation of ivory is locked firmly into the sub-conscious of many people, and that this inherited attitude crosses the boundaries of culture and society.

Can a momentary change in societal attitudes affect the heritage of the Human Experience?

Personally, I doubt that it can.

There may be a hiatus in the use and appreciation of ivory, a hiatus that will surely come to an end.

When the pendulum swings too far one way, it has nowhere to go except to swing back again, and eventually it comes to rest in the centre.

As this applies to ivory, perhaps during the Colonial Era there was an over-use of ivory, perhaps this overuse continued past the time when it could be supported, the result was that the pendulum swung too far into the range of use. Now we have the probably predictable reaction of well intentioned people, and the pendulum is on the verge of swinging too far into the range of non-use. Eventually that pendulum will commence to swing back to the range of use, and after an even longer period of time it will come to rest within the range of acceptable use.

All things pass, including the idiocy of well intentioned but badly misguided Tree Huggers.

In the meantime, opportunities are being presented for those who are prepared to ignore regulation to increase their wealth.

Total bans do nothing but encourage criminal activity.

Adequate control and management is a better option.

[mariusgmioc]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Total bans do nothing but encourage criminal activity.

Hello Alan,

I believe this is a well known fact that was so well illustrated and proven by the US experience during the prohibition years, when not only that criminal gangs flourished, but even alcohol consumption increased.

Yet, it appers that our law makers are so idiotic they either don't know, or they ignore this.

That's why I believe that our societies are slowly but steadily turning into Kafkian idiocracies.

PS: I wish I share your optimism illustrated by your pendulum example...

[Hotspur]

Originally Posted by Rick

Is it ironic that even Mammoth ivory falls under this proscription?

There has been a rise for the tusker industry. Made more ironic that a lot of Napoleonic European and British use of ivory was being mainly supplied by the old ivory mines and little, if any, African or Asian elephant ivory. The supply was vast for the stuff and had been available for decades.

Perhaps as disturbing will be any bone then being as restricted. Then any digging for artifacts of any age. Then collections of anything aside from ration stamps.

Cheers

GC

[Rick]

Originally Posted by Hotspur

There has been a rise for the tusker industry. Made more ironic that a lot of Napoleonic European and British use of ivory was being mainly supplied by the old ivory mines and little, if any, African or Asian elephant ivory. The supply was vast for the stuff and had been available for decades.

Perhaps as disturbing will be any bone then being as restricted. Then any digging for artifacts of any age. Then collections of anything aside from ration stamps.

Cheers

GC

I guess I don't get out much, Glen; I was unaware it had been mined for so long.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/ga...le-in-pictures

[Hotspur]

From Mowbray's eagle pommel title re ivory. It has been pointed out to me that he likely really means mammoth.