Nice things I needed which I learnt on the fediverse today:
A non-standard genus of silk worm called Eri is much more adaptable to various diets and climates.
It can be used in a more ethical way to make silk yarn - without killing the critter at cocoon harvest.
This provides people around the world with a new way to make homespun clothes, in a kinder way.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahimsa_silk
Thanks to @cathal !
@Shufei Aw, thank you! Happy to have added some interest to your day. :)
FYI though, this guy (who has oodles of interesting posts on silk generally!) has very cogent and strong opinions on the Ahimsa thing: http://www.wormspit.com/peacesilk.htm - essentially, the population dynamics of moths means you can't have meaningful quantities of silk without killing unless you convert the whole biosphere to moths. 🤷
@cathal Well, I’m a realistic, rural person from a vegetarianish tradition which views such options with less, um, absolute zealotry. I know there are actually no real vegans on the planet: to live is to kill. But many people would like *more* compassionate practices, which is why I qualified that “kinder”. Hopefully new samia breeds will someday evolve to give more yarn after hatching. The key would be less direct killing, to my heart. That way, of minimization of cruelty, is sane.
