webber@athos.rutgers.edu (Bob Webber) (11/18/87)
Although both make purchases at ``pet stores,'' historically there has been a major split between the people who purchase dogs and cats and the people who purchase aquariums. This split rests on the fact that the person maintaining an aquarium is actually responsible for the balance of an entire ecosystem that is in many ways quite alien from their own. Thus we see concentration within the hobby on the more challenging aspects of the ecosystem, i.e., salt-water aquaria and breeding in captivity. On the other hand, the vast majority of the people who purchase dogs and cats are interested in establishing some sort of social bond with the pet. Thus, the conversation of aquarium hobbiests and dog/cat owners mix within the current rec.pets structure like oil and water. Due to the vast number of dog/cat owners, many aquarium hobbiests have simply abandoned the group, having long ago worn their n-key contact off. Recently, some attempt was made to start up an aquarium group within the rec.* structure. From this attempt, the discussion of whether or not aquaria should be a subgroup within pet or not was indicative of the great divide between aquarium hobbiests and the rest of humanity. Having abandoned the attempt to create a rec.* group, this leaves us with the question of whether to form a mailing list or an alt.* group. Ultimately, the decision was to create an alt.* group because we are interested in exposing other people to the joys of aquaria, whereas mailing lists only attract those who are already converted. So, as you see the creation message for alt.aquaria passing through your machine, we hope that you will be sympathetic realizing that no one ever had to tell an aquarium owner to clean up after their fish. ----------- BOB (webber@aramis.rutgers.edu ; rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!webber) p.s., those interested in learning more about aquaria but lack access to alt.aquaria might take a look at Konrad Z. Lorenz's King Solomon's Ring.