*** The Official MAGAposting thread ***

[oskar]

The point is, the trophy trade legitimizes "trophies" as something of value, which is something countries like Kenya and Botswana are actively fighting. They burned 100 tons of ivory in 2016 alone - for the same reason the DEA destroys heroin. If they sell it, they legitimize the trade. They don't think it should be something of value, therefore they destroy it. I'm sure the Trump bill includes some things I don't give a shit about like zebra skins, but specifically regarding elephant and rhino parts, it undermines the effort of countries like Kenya and and Botswana and plays well with kleptocracies like Zimbabwe that allow trophy hunting.
Of course I don't believe for a second that this is something that Trump thinks of in conservationist terms. This is a gift for his son because that's how politics work now.

[Savy]

The point is, the trophy trade legitimizes "trophies" as something of value, which is something countries like Kenya and Botswana are actively fighting. They burned 100 tons of ivory in 2016 alone - for the same reason the DEA destroys heroin. If they sell it, they legitimize the trade. .

I find this interesting because aren't they just increasing it's value and in turn doing the exact opposite that they want. I agree it shouldn't be happening but it's a complete waste to then not use it for beneficial purposes.

Ivory being different to heroin in that heroin is abundant and not going anywhere whereas ivory literally is running out.

[oskar]

I find this interesting because aren't they just increasing it's value and in turn doing the exact opposite that they want. I agree it shouldn't be happening but it's a complete waste to then not use it for beneficial purposes.

Ivory being different to heroin in that heroin is abundant and not going anywhere whereas ivory literally is running out.

There are two ways to devalue something that is of no inherent value: increase the supply, or convince people that it's worthless. You can do the latter by stigmatizing it.
Heroin was a bad analogue because heroin has an inherent value.

Ivory prices have fallen sharply since 2016, and since then China flollowed suit and burned their ivory reserves.

[Savy]

There are two ways to devalue something that is of no inherent value: increase the supply, or convince people that it's worthless. You can do the latter by stigmatizing it.
Heroin was a bad analogue because heroin has an inherent value.

Ivory prices have fallen sharply since 2016, and since then China flollowed suit and burned their ivory reserves.

The price has bombed because of changing ideals of the market, I still think burning the stuff is counter-productive.

[wufwugy]

The price has bombed because of changing ideals of the market, I still think burning the stuff is counter-productive.

It probably is. Reducing the supply of something doesn't reduce the demand of that thing. What Oskar is referring to as an effective way to reduce price by stigmatizing it is essentially reducing the demand. The public show of burning the product probably does have some demand reduction attribute, but I'd think effective policing and some other stuff is much better at that.