I forget what Allen said that Eric thought he said that Allen didn’t say.  
Allen Did say that he says exactly what he means and I take that for 
granted, although I must admit I sometimes think I might be 
misunderstanding a few posts here and there.  I have always found Allen 
Dick’s contributions to be well reasoned, insightful, non-presumptuous, and 
well written.  I also agree with the thrust of what Eric is saying about 
the measure of success.  In fact I find it right on.  I also find his 
argument quite understandable.

I suggest that we take what lessons we can from this exchange and move on 
to the substance of what each as to say, while acknowledging the potential 
for misunderstanding even the most precise language.  

Regarding success, it occurs to me that it is in the eye of the beholder.  
It most certainly relates to what your goals are, and I doubt any two 
beekeepers have the same set of those.  

Regarding Organic, perhaps a new term should be used relating to 
beekeeping.  How about Organicishness, you know, to sort of indicate a 
degree of attainment in the pursuit of the unattainable. 

One other thing, while I’m at it.  Would Organicishness even be such a big 
deal if it weren’t for the fact that we have gotten so far away from what 
that might be?  Not just in beekeeping, but in agriculture in general?   If 
there is an organic movement, does it really matter if we all agree on a 
precise definition as long as it results in a general trend away from 
dependence on things that have unaccounted for costs to human and 
environmental health? 

  
Steve Noble

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