As a contrast i’d like to compare the ethics of e.g. veganism with that of synthetic foods of the future.
Where a ‘beef steak’ is produced synthetically [say by crossing mushroom and animal genes] is it more spiritually ethical to eat, than an organic version?
We could say that animals should have a place to live and roam in the world, but here there could be an ancient greek-like democracy to that. If humans don’t have to [but alt/can still] make utility of the land, then it can be put back to nature where possible. More woodland and natural countryside = better.
We would have to keep barnyard animals contained on specific lands and feed them. They are for the most part destructive especially cattle, goats, sheep and breeds of poultry and fowl. Sometimes the surface of an ethical act looks far better than results.
Probably. Though the originals would work fine in nature of course. So there’s no real reason to keep farm animals in any great numbers at least. Either humans manage nature or they need to re-wild it and let nature do it.
Food-animals, once humans stopped breeding them, would naturally grow old and decline in numbers. Framers routinely neuter all but a few breeding specimens, so there is no danger of steers or rams running wild. Those that were left out in pastures would just as naturally fall prey to wolves and cougars. Most would become deservedly extinct; a few might be kept as pets and as leisure animals - camels and horses could still be ridden for pleasure; lamas and ganders would still make good watch-dogs; for reasons I don’t fully appreciate, some people like to lead ugly little pigs on leashes.
The biggest problem in this regard is curbing the crazy human impulse to kill for fun. Bull-fighting and sport fishing wouldn’t necessarily go away - or, not for several generations.
As far as the ethical food issue goes: I have no problem with manufactured or cloned meat. Synthetic food could be made to look and taste like anything, so why shouldn’t everyone have whatever they enjoy eating? If spiritual purity is a consideration for somebody; they can have what they want. If another cares more about economy or social justice; food safety and consumer health; ease of storage and distribution; convenience or ecology - every concern can be met to everyone’s satisfaction.
Lots and lots and lots of land can get back into the air-quality business: producing oxygen and filtering out carbons.
Plus, there is no reason we can’t also have the pleasure of growing fresh fruit and vegetables in suburban forest gardens and hydroponic and rooftop city gardens.
Indeed. Though i’ll fight you for the rooftops with my flying cars/landing rental spaces. I can also imagine people adding an extra level to their homes for universal rental too ~ as well as landing pads for parking. Such things will be a matter of what the customer wants multiplied by groundspace they have, as opposed to how things are now. I’ll be glad when the world has filters and proper sanitation too.
for all the veg needs just build vast carbon sails in the deserts, to collect water vapour [like similar systems already existent], and then the rest can go back to being wild. having said that I suppose you are right, that many people will want local-fresh.
You can have the rooftops - all of them, rent free, - if you paint them white. Make your ultra-lite flying cars collapsible for easy storage. Land, fold, slot, retract locker. They have bicycle racks like that already, both above and under ground. http://gizmodo.com/five-robotic-bike-parking-systems-that-solve-an-urban-d-512563596. Since flying machines are a little bulkier than bikes, you’ll need the whole top floor of the office towers for storage.
The rest of those steel-and-glass money laundries will convert nicely to hydroponic gardens, integrated with public service facilities, apartments and work-places. No reason you can’t put in your 4 daily hours in the clothing factory on the fifth floor, run a few laps on the 8th-floor track, shower, pick up your kid from nursery school on the 11th, your synthetic meat on the 21st, your produce basket on the 22nd, and be on the roof by 2pm, so there’s plenty of time to fly out for a picnic in the green belt.
I can also imagine people adding an extra level to their homes for universal rental too ~ as well as landing pads for parking. Such things will be a matter of what the customer wants multiplied by groundspace they have, as opposed to how things are now. I’ll be glad when the world has filters and proper sanitation too.