Quantum Forest

The latest ‘Sunday Tasmanian’ (which is The Mercury on Sundays) reported that the Tasmanian Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources denied a veterinarian a custom license plate containing ‘NO 1080′. 1080 (ten-eighty) is a poison used to control mammal browsing in agriculture and forestry, and its use in Tasmania is opposed by environmentalists.

In principle, I support limited use of 1080 — at least until more socially acceptable and economically viable alternatives are developed. Nevertheless, I also support freedom of speech, including the right of people opposing 1080 to express their views in a respectful and creative way. Thus, I consider the Department’s decision narrow minded, bureaucratic, and non democratic. The Department’s excuse was that the plate had ‘political connotations’ that could offend some sections of society. I find much more offensive plates that do not contain any hint of creativity, like MYVW (owner of a Volkswagen) or HONDA (owner of, you guessed it, a Honda car).

In the same vein, Timber Communities Australia (TCA) put advertising in a billboard in Murray Street (Hobart), supporting forestry activity in the State. The billboard has been vandalised twice in less than a week. Again, I believe that vandalising their message is inherently non democratic. TCA has the right to express its opinion.

Last night, ABC aired an interview with Mel Brooks. He stated that ‘everything can be the subject of humor’. We certainly need a touch of humor in the forestry debate, as well as a democratic mindset for all its participants.