The militant Viggins did as they said they would, and tried again, and again, to "make the perfect vegan world". And they failed again, and again, and again. After all, what was a home without PETS? And they failed time and time again. But each time alternatives were suggested, such as using bots instead of actual animals for pets, replica animals that didn't need food or water, simply recharged their batteries on sunlight, these suggestions were turned down. And each time, there were people there to clean up the mess, and make a tidy profit off these individual's refusal to see reason.
@internutter/challenge-03177-h268-attempting-to-tip-the-scales -- Anon Guest
If at first you don't succeed: try, try, try again, -- Human motivational saying.
Many say that Humans just don't stop. They barely sleep, and the certainly don't like to surrender. This can be a powerful thing in the right Humans. However, if Humans get a toxic meme embedded in their brains, it can go very, very badly. If you doubt after you have seen the complete history of Planet Purity, then look no further than the Viggin Plant Life Bubbles.
Their first effort is the most famous. Attempting to recreate Eden with only their beliefs in how a world should work and the determination to force it into being that way. Should, as wiser mouths often say, is not is.
Even "peaceful herbivores" will eat meat. Even butterflies will sip blood. All the specially-crafted salt licks that clever minds concoct will not stop nature. Then the Viggins split on the debate of allowing or disallowing Placentophagy[1] in natural creatures.
The Alliance tried to tell them that they were making more work for themselves, but no Viggin has ever listened to common sense.
The biggest, and most common mistake, was that the Viggins wished to live inside their chosen arcologies. The houses and farms were 'benevolently' protected from most of the wildlife, but then they added their pets. Dogs and cats, among other creatures. Obligate carnivores "trained" to live a Viggan lifestyle[2], or other "harmless" herbivores that could become part of the ecology.
Their actions had consequences that even a child could predict. The dogs and cats got loose, bred because Viggins didn't believe in tormenting their pets with operations, and quickly wrought havoc on the former paradise.
Even the indoor carnivores devoured the rats, mice, and insects that eternally follow Humans everywhere they go. Much to the horror of their Human hosts.
Crops began to fail because Viggins refused to keep bees. Other pollinators became snacks for the "harmless" herbivores already in the ecology. And then the same thing always happened. With not enough predators, the herbivores ate the forests into deserts. Filled the too-small 'paradises' with their excrement. Found ways to get into, and then devour, the Viggins' own crops.
Again and again, they called in experts. Again and again, they ignored the warnings. Again and again, they abandoned their prior efforts and started anew. With a better idea and the certainty that they knew where they went wrong.
For all their claims of wanting to live with nature, they have a phenominal knack for ignoring how nature actually works. The good side of this, such as it is, is that there is a ready and cheap source of atmospheric regeneration parks for anyone building a new station.
[1] Gross but true. Of the placental animals, Humans are the only ones who usually treat the placenta as waste. Once it has served its purpose, most animals devour it and thus regain vital nutrients.
[2] For the love of mercy, do not for an instant believe that you can train an obligate carnivore to live like a Vegan. They will only hunt real meat when your back is turned, and the only alternative is a shorter and more painful life for your best friend. Just. No. [Author steps off soapbox]
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / djvstock]
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