[DRAFT] - Down in the Weeds

[Candensia]

Hello everyone. I tried an unorthodox industry vs industry angle in an attempt to shake things up. Thanks in advance for your feedback.

First Draft

[DRAFT] - Down in the Weeds

[The Issue] - Pharmaceutical companies have launched an organized series of hostile takeovers in the agriculture, logging, and extraction sectors, leaving markets rattled. The rationale: to protect thousands of native plant species from industrial development, the vast majority of which are unscreened for medicinal properties.

[issuevalidity] - capitalist


[Option 1] - "We've swallowed dozens of poison pills for the sake of public health," says @@CAPITAL@@ Pharmaceuticals spokesperson @@RANDOMNAME@@. "Forget future profit, it's simply a matter of good practice. For every field plowed or forest cleared @@NAME@@ risks annihilating a plant that could cure cancer or extend lifespan, a pill I cannot swallow. Therefore, the government should require primary industry thoroughly survey land for medicinal flora before developing it."

[effect] - desert wastelands enjoy high property values


[Option 2] - "This situation reminds me of a similar fiasco in Gallopavia," remarks @@DEMONYMADJECTIVE@@ Forestry CEO @@RANDOMNAME@@. "First it was a matter of conservation and public health, then it became a felony to possess weed killer or a lawnmower. Look, I’m all for advancing plant and medical research, but let’s do it sensibly. If @@NAME@@ finances a few new botanical gardens or herbaria, I’ll make sure natural, top-quality construction materials are available."

[effect] - the government preserves plant species by supporting the logging industry


[Option 3] - "It's a shame we can't medicate against stupid," mutters disgruntled finance ministry official @@RANDOMNAME@@. "While these jokers play around with pills and wood, their corporate war is mowing national markets. We can't trust pharma or farmers to do the right thing, but we can trust @@LEADER@@. Only through a mass-nationalization of industry will we be able to ensure environmental and economic responsibility."

[effect] - the weed-whacker is a socialist symbol

Current Draft

[DRAFT] - Down in the Weeds

[The Issue] - Pharmaceutical companies have launched an organized series of hostile takeovers in the agriculture, logging, and extraction sectors, leaving markets rattled. The rationale: to protect thousands of native plant species from industrial development, the vast majority of which are unscreened for medicinal properties.

[issuevalidity] - capitalist


[Option 1] - "We've swallowed dozens of poison pills for the sake of public health," says @@CAPITAL@@ Pharmaceuticals spokesperson @@RANDOMNAME@@. "Forget future profit, it's simply a matter of good practice. For every field plowed or forest cleared @@NAME@@ risks annihilating a plant that could cure cancer or extend lifespan, a pill I cannot swallow. Therefore, the government should require primary industry thoroughly survey land for medicinal flora before developing it."

[effect] - desert wastelands enjoy high property values


[Option 2] - "This situation reminds me of a similar fiasco in Gallopavia," remarks @@DEMONYMADJECTIVE@@ Forestry CEO @@RANDOMNAME@@. "First it was a matter of conservation and public health, then it became a felony to possess weed killer or a lawnmower. I'm not opposed to advancing plant and medical research, but let’s do it sensibly. If @@NAME@@ builds new botanical gardens or herbaria in major cities, my company will make sure natural, top-quality construction materials are available."

[effect] - the government preserves plant species by supporting the logging industry


[Option 3] - "It's a shame we can't medicate against stupid," mutters disgruntled finance ministry official @@RANDOMNAME@@. "While these jokers play around with pills and wood, their corporate war mows national markets. We can't trust pharma or farmers to do the right thing, but we can trust @@LEADER@@. Only through a mass-nationalization of industry will we ensure environmental and economic responsibility."

[effect] - the weed-whacker is a socialist symbol

[Australian rePublic]

Any company who says they're trying to create a monopoly in order to save the environment is probably bullshitting. That's not to say they're definately bullshitting, but chances are good

[The Sherpa Empire]

The leap from botanical gardens to construction materials in option 2 is jarring and confusing to me.

[Candensia]

Any company who says they're trying to create a monopoly in order to save the environment is probably bullshitting. That's not to say they're definately bullshitting, but chances are good

Good nose. You're right. In this case, pharmaceutical companies don't care as much about the environment as they do about keeping flora alive so they can be tested for medicinal properties- that they could market in their products and make a boatload of cash.

The leap from botanical gardens to construction materials in option 2 is jarring and confusing to me.

So basically it's saying "If the government wants to increase plant preservation efforts, build some stuff, and we'll make sure plenty of lumber (there's the joke) is available. Will make this a bit more clear in draft 2.

[Candensia]

Draft version has been updated. A few spot edits have been made in option two, hopefully making it clearer.

[Chan Island]

Love this issue!

Any company who says they're trying to create a monopoly in order to save the environment is probably bullshitting. That's not to say they're definately bullshitting, but chances are good

Good nose. You're right. In this case, pharmaceutical companies don't care as much about the environment as they do about keeping flora alive so they can be tested for medicinal properties- that they could market in their products and make a boatload of cash.

On the flipside, it's a bit weird that the executive doesn't at least slip in a kind "oh, and like, protect the environment and stuff. Like, we totally care about that too."

[Candensia]

I’ve done a few more touch ups.

Not satisfied on the third effect line. If anyone has suggestions, I’m open.

[Candlewhisper Archive]

[The Issue] - Pharmaceutical companies have launched an organized series of hostile takeovers in the agriculture, logging, and extraction sectors, leaving markets rattled. The rationale: to protect thousands of native plant species from industrial development, the vast majority of which are unscreened for medicinal properties.

So... what's the issue exactly?

This sounds like a description of something that has happened, but the dilemma isn't clear to me. This is a reduction in logging activity, for the sake of preserving undiscovered species for future exploitation. Where's the controversy?

[Candensia]

[The Issue] - Pharmaceutical companies have launched an organized series of hostile takeovers in the agriculture, logging, and extraction sectors, leaving markets rattled. The rationale: to protect thousands of native plant species from industrial development, the vast majority of which are unscreened for medicinal properties.

So... what's the issue exactly?

This sounds like a description of something that has happened, but the dilemma isn't clear to me. This is a reduction in logging activity, for the sake of preserving undiscovered species for future exploitation. Where's the controversy?

Okay, if the issue isn't connecting, I shall present a slightly different premise.

How's this?

[The Issue] - A Ministry of Economy report has indicated strong growth in the logging and agriculture sectors. However, this has rattled pharmaceutical companies, who believe that the environmentally-unfriendly practices of these industries endangers future plant-based medicines.

I'd obviously need to rethink the validity and go over the options.

[Australian rePublic]

Any company who says they're trying to create a monopoly in order to save the environment is probably bullshitting. That's not to say they're definately bullshitting, but chances are good

Good nose. You're right. In this case, pharmaceutical companies don't care as much about the environment as they do about keeping flora alive so they can be tested for medicinal properties- that they could market in their products and make a boatload of cash.

Ha. I thought it was to protect their monopoly. Wouldn't the small businesses also be interested in R&D?