Organiphobia
Organiphobes are those who oppose organic products, techniques and program.
Why are the majority of homeowners, golf course superintendents and landscape professionals using the toxic chemical approach even though the natural organic approach has proven to be so successful on residential and commercial properties? The reason is that they are organiphobes. Some are afraid even of the term “organics.” Organiphobes have a fear of organics for five basic reasons:
1. Organic techniques aren’t understood. Organiphobes know how to recommend and use the chemical products, but don’t yet understand the organic products and techniques. These concepts and details are not usually covered in university research or featured in the traditional industry publications, and some products don’t have labels that explain their use. In addition, no comprehensive organic program is being taught any major university.
2. Profit from chemical sales. Many people make money from the sale of toxic chemicals. Those whose income results directly or indirectly from the sale of artificial pesticides and fertilizers are usually organiphobes. At stake here are advertising money, commissions, research grant money, cash flow and basic salaries.
3. Paradigm problems. Some organiphobes can’t see what we're talking about. They are not stupid, but they just can’t see it at all. To organiphobes, organic techniques are just not worth considering as proper horticulture and agriculture. Such people can’t see how significantly the world is changing, nor can they see that working with nature is much easier and more cost effective than trying to dominate it with toxic chemistry.
4. Fear of loneliness. Most people feel intimidated about going against the grain, being mavericks or pioneers. It is comforting to be doing what others are doing - even if it’s wrong. With the natural organic approach, each person needs to accept more personal responsibility. Since the majority of people in landscaping, horticulture, and agriculture have no formal training or research in organics, they are uncomfortable with that much responsibility.
5. Inability to admit being wrong. This may be the most powerful obstacle. It’s difficult for most folks to admit to a mistake. The bigger the mistake, the harder the admission. The loudest critics of organics are those who are the most schooled in using the “treat-the-symptom-with artificial-products” approach. Some PhD's understand nature’s workings, but many focus only on their specialty and don’t consider nature as a whole.
Today dozens of large-scale commercial projects use totally organic programs, many landscape contractors practice organics, hundreds of small commercial projects are under way, and tens of thousands of natural organic residential gardens are thriving. Yet organiphobia persists, and unfortunately, the organiphobes still have majority control. On the positive side, toxic-chemical rescue systems are on the decline, and natural organic methods are gathering momentum. The reason is simple: The Natural Way works best.
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