I cannot understand why so many people go to the trouble of altruistically putting up tutorial videos on how to fix anything which needs fixing, but they do. People are - in the main - very helpful.
I watched a Volvo enthusiast explain how to fix the common problem with the alarms on my model, and I ordered the parts needed to fix it on the net. Then I took the car to a mechanic I know and asked him to find out what was causing the battery drain. Several hours and a rare bus ride later he called to tell me what I already knew. I persuaded him to remove the alarm unit and hand it to me today so that I could take it away and recondition it, then bring it back to him to refit - a horrible job.
If I were to buy a new alarm unit from Volvo it would cost about twice as much as the car is worth, so I am happy with this outcome. You are not supposed to be able to repair them, but thanks to the Volvo forum man, I will - hopefully...
Changing the subject, how do you feel about what used to be called 'genetic modification' but is now called 'gene editing'?
Now that we are free of the legal restraints which govern Europe, scientists are planning to edit the genes of crops (and pigs) to make them impervious to weed-killer. One of the long-term hazards of this is that the modified crop will undoubtably self-seed into surrounding fields and meadows causing an imbalance in the natural eco-system, the consequences of which we can only guess at.
The trouble is that our home-grown legislators do not even bother to guess at long-term consequences anymore, as the unfolding series of disastrous events following our exit from Europe illustrates horribly.
America has made it clear that we will not be getting any meaningful trade deals on food until we change our farming practices to reflect their own, so this is what we are now doing.
Should I just stop talking about all this now and just accept it like a good citizen? I am sorry, but we need to consider this stuff. I will do my best not to lose my sense of humour though.
Wheat modification with human intervention has gone on for centuries without any complaints and I suppose without a thought from anybody except the farmers. All is still well in the crops and the food there from.
ReplyDeleteBy selective breeding, not gene editing. We have never attempted to breed a strain of wheat which will survive modern herbicides. I think you knew that already.
DeleteI hadn't thought about it too much because farmers rarely get upset about GM and we have had GM sugarbeet seed for a long time.
DeleteMost farmers don't, but quite a lot do when they are not simply trying to survive.
DeleteThe problem is humans need 'gene editing' to be able to detoxify all the herbicides and pesticides fed into our food system. Not sure the government will be able to foist on our system cruelty to animals either. Fingers crossed there is an outcry.
ReplyDeleteIt is the pollinating insects which suffer the most.
DeleteWe need cheap food, however tasteless, to fill the bellies of the not very well off. The more well heeled can afford to go to the farmer's markets and buy veg boxes from small suppliers. The best tasting veg I ever had was from our own back garden when I was a littlun. It was a constant battle with pests and my dad used some fairly evil stuff to kill them but we survived.
DeleteAs for animal cruelty, as long as it's hidden, I doubt that many consumers really care, as long as the meat is cheap. In our town there is a "shambles", one of those narrow cobbled streets that housed butchers' shops where animals were killed and cut up for sale in public view. The unimaginable pain and terror felt by the animals was never considered. Better animal welfare has been a hard won battle but it will be thrown away by this current shambles of a government because they don't care.
Don't lose your sense of humour I couldn't bear it.
ReplyDeleteDon't worry Weave, I won't. I'm just finding it all a bit trying right now.
DeleteCars have become way over computerized and the problems are endless. My 2021 would not start. It was still under warranty and the manufacturer told me the computer required re-programming. They towed it in, made the fix and it's been fine. Never have I had a new car fail within 30 days! Fruit and veg in the USA is tasteless due to genetic modification. Buying directly from growers/farmers is both safer and tastes good.
ReplyDeleteMy car is ancient but it still has loads of electronica which controls everything.
DeletePerhaps GM will be a boon to your little local, indie farmers, at least until their field are overrun.
ReplyDeleteHope your repair is successful! I haven't been on a bus in twenty years.
We have little suppliers who grow their own stuff but if everyone used them they would sell-out within 15 minutes of opening. The repair was successful in as much that I have silenced the alarm - for good.
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