[Sca-cooks] Seasonal, Local Sweet Onions;

[grizly]

-----Original Message-----
* * * Darwinism is best referred to as 'Natural Selection'.   It was,
ironically, an economist (Herbert Spencer) who came up with the 'Survival of
the Fittest' tag.

  'Survival of the Fittest' is either circular (Fit for what?  Survival, I
guess!) or something worse. * * * * * *

Fittest to reproduce in larger quantity than others.  Those members of a
species most fit to reproduce will carry genetic traits on to the next
generation(s).  Each species will have different requirments for 'fitness'
based on location, environment, food source, predation, physical attributes,
etc.  "Natural Selection" happens when reproductive success and output
varies due to the traits and characteristics and behaviors that funtion for
a given species to survive.

Vidalia Onion growers survive economically, as do the Walla Walla folks, due
to having the traits need to produce, sell and market their products to
discerning markets.  Those who do not discern amongst the types of products
do not particularly contribute to the "Economic Selecton" of branded onions.
However, the branded onions types are surviving and in more demand as years
go by . . . so, they are surviving to reproduce.

This does bring to mind the various villages and towns in Southern Europe
who all competed for pilgrim/tourist trade by having the coolest relic or
artifact in the area.  Theft of reliqueries and wars and lots of money at
stake.  Not exactly the same, but an effort to rein the subject back to a
more period-related topic.  If you prefer the spice trades as a segway, that
can work, too.


niccolo difrancesco