88 replies to this topic

[AntsDakota]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't all the ants AC keeps native or existing in his country (the Philippines)? Sure, a beginner shouldn't attempt to keep Carebara diversa, but there's no reason that he shouldn't be able to keep them and make videos about them. And he has made it clear in the past he doesn't encourage keeping non-natives, so I don't see how he's encouraging the keeping of exotic ants.

Most of his popular colonies are destructive invasives. He makes these invasives look like the coolest ants on the planet, which indirectly encourages his fans to keep them. I mean, many devout fans tend to wear the same clothes, have the same hair style, walk and talk the same way as their star. Is it that far fetched that AC’s fans would want to keep the same species as he does? So, it’s not like he directly encourages keeping destructive species, but that’s how his fans take it.

I get it but you're making it sound as if he shouldn't be keeping those species, that was my point.

No, I mean he should make it more clear that people should keep native ants, which are equally as interesting as the ones he’s keeping.

[ArmyAntz]

 

 

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't all the ants AC keeps native or existing in his country (the Philippines)? Sure, a beginner shouldn't attempt to keep Carebara diversa, but there's no reason that he shouldn't be able to keep them and make videos about them. And he has made it clear in the past he doesn't encourage keeping non-natives, so I don't see how he's encouraging the keeping of exotic ants.

Most of his popular colonies are destructive invasives. He makes these invasives look like the coolest ants on the planet, which indirectly encourages his fans to keep them. I mean, many devout fans tend to wear the same clothes, have the same hair style, walk and talk the same way as their star. Is it that far fetched that AC’s fans would want to keep the same species as he does? So, it’s not like he directly encourages keeping destructive species, but that’s how his fans take it.

 

I get it but you're making it sound as if he shouldn't be keeping those species, that was my point.

 

The species he keeps are invasive to his area.

 

For example, his Solenopsis geminata.(red means exotic to that area)

 

What does that prove though? RIFA are invasive to the US but are still kept by many, and it doesn't influence their level of invasiveness. 

 

Plus tropical species can't survive in most temperate climates, assuming a queen somehow escapes into the wild. 

[AntsDakota]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't all the ants AC keeps native or existing in his country (the Philippines)? Sure, a beginner shouldn't attempt to keep Carebara diversa, but there's no reason that he shouldn't be able to keep them and make videos about them. And he has made it clear in the past he doesn't encourage keeping non-natives, so I don't see how he's encouraging the keeping of exotic ants.

Most of his popular colonies are destructive invasives. He makes these invasives look like the coolest ants on the planet, which indirectly encourages his fans to keep them. I mean, many devout fans tend to wear the same clothes, have the same hair style, walk and talk the same way as their star. Is it that far fetched that AC’s fans would want to keep the same species as he does? So, it’s not like he directly encourages keeping destructive species, but that’s how his fans take it.

I get it but you're making it sound as if he shouldn't be keeping those species, that was my point.

The species he keeps are invasive to his area.
 
For example, his Solenopsis geminata.(red means exotic to that area)

What does that prove though? RIFA are invasive to the US but are still kept by many, and it doesn't influence their level of invasiveness. 
 
Plus tropical species can't survive in most temperate climates, assuming a queen somehow escapes into the wild.

That’s beside my point. He’s making invasives sound much cooler than natives. That’s why many new ant keepers crave fire ants, and such.

[ArmyAntz]

 

 

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't all the ants AC keeps native or existing in his country (the Philippines)? Sure, a beginner shouldn't attempt to keep Carebara diversa, but there's no reason that he shouldn't be able to keep them and make videos about them. And he has made it clear in the past he doesn't encourage keeping non-natives, so I don't see how he's encouraging the keeping of exotic ants.

Most of his popular colonies are destructive invasives. He makes these invasives look like the coolest ants on the planet, which indirectly encourages his fans to keep them. I mean, many devout fans tend to wear the same clothes, have the same hair style, walk and talk the same way as their star. Is it that far fetched that AC’s fans would want to keep the same species as he does? So, it’s not like he directly encourages keeping destructive species, but that’s how his fans take it.

I get it but you're making it sound as if he shouldn't be keeping those species, that was my point.

No, I mean he should make it more clear that people should keep native ants, which are equally as interesting as the ones he’s keeping.

 

I agree but I'm not really sure how that could be done since he can't keep temperate species.

[TennesseeAnts]

 

 

 

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't all the ants AC keeps native or existing in his country (the Philippines)? Sure, a beginner shouldn't attempt to keep Carebara diversa, but there's no reason that he shouldn't be able to keep them and make videos about them. And he has made it clear in the past he doesn't encourage keeping non-natives, so I don't see how he's encouraging the keeping of exotic ants.

Most of his popular colonies are destructive invasives. He makes these invasives look like the coolest ants on the planet, which indirectly encourages his fans to keep them. I mean, many devout fans tend to wear the same clothes, have the same hair style, walk and talk the same way as their star. Is it that far fetched that AC’s fans would want to keep the same species as he does? So, it’s not like he directly encourages keeping destructive species, but that’s how his fans take it.

 

I get it but you're making it sound as if he shouldn't be keeping those species, that was my point.

 

The species he keeps are invasive to his area.

 

For example, his Solenopsis geminata.(red means exotic to that area)

 

What does that prove though? RIFA are invasive to the US but are still kept by many, and it doesn't influence their level of invasiveness. 

 

Plus tropical species can't survive in most temperate climates, assuming a queen somehow escapes into the wild.

 

If you're referring to Solenopsis geminata, they're native to the Southern US.

[ArmyAntz]

@AntsDakota Yes but I believe most of the species he kept before were native.

[AntsDakota]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't all the ants AC keeps native or existing in his country (the Philippines)? Sure, a beginner shouldn't attempt to keep Carebara diversa, but there's no reason that he shouldn't be able to keep them and make videos about them. And he has made it clear in the past he doesn't encourage keeping non-natives, so I don't see how he's encouraging the keeping of exotic ants.

Most of his popular colonies are destructive invasives. He makes these invasives look like the coolest ants on the planet, which indirectly encourages his fans to keep them. I mean, many devout fans tend to wear the same clothes, have the same hair style, walk and talk the same way as their star. Is it that far fetched that AC’s fans would want to keep the same species as he does? So, it’s not like he directly encourages keeping destructive species, but that’s how his fans take it.

I get it but you're making it sound as if he shouldn't be keeping those species, that was my point.

No, I mean he should make it more clear that people should keep native ants, which are equally as interesting as the ones he’s keeping.

I agree but I'm not really sure how that could be done since he can't keep temperate species.

No, what I mean is, he can still keep fire ants and such, he just needs to say something like, “Now, while fire ants are very interesting and fun to keep, I wholeheartedly believe that native ants found right in your own back yards are equally as fascinating to observe and keep.” People would listen to that!

[AntsDakota]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't all the ants AC keeps native or existing in his country (the Philippines)? Sure, a beginner shouldn't attempt to keep Carebara diversa, but there's no reason that he shouldn't be able to keep them and make videos about them. And he has made it clear in the past he doesn't encourage keeping non-natives, so I don't see how he's encouraging the keeping of exotic ants.

Most of his popular colonies are destructive invasives. He makes these invasives look like the coolest ants on the planet, which indirectly encourages his fans to keep them. I mean, many devout fans tend to wear the same clothes, have the same hair style, walk and talk the same way as their star. Is it that far fetched that AC’s fans would want to keep the same species as he does? So, it’s not like he directly encourages keeping destructive species, but that’s how his fans take it.

I get it but you're making it sound as if he shouldn't be keeping those species, that was my point.

The species he keeps are invasive to his area.

For example, his Solenopsis geminata.(red means exotic to that area)

What does that prove though? RIFA are invasive to the US but are still kept by many, and it doesn't influence their level of invasiveness.

Plus tropical species can't survive in most temperate climates, assuming a queen somehow escapes into the wild.

If you're referring to Solenopsis geminata, they're native to the Southern US.

Well, it makes no difference to the new ant keeper. RIFAs are close enough for their tastes.

Whoops! Quote glitched......

Edited by AntsDakota, June 22 2020 - 1:21 PM.

[ArmyAntz]

I can't quote anymore, but yes I totally agree with this, I think I misunderstood what you were trying to say before. 

[TennesseeAnts]

@AntsDakota, "No, what I mean is, he can still keep fire ants and such, he just needs to say something like, “Now, while fire ants are very interesting and fun to keep, I wholeheartedly believe that native ants found right in your own back yards are equally as fascinating to observe and keep.” People would listen to that"

 

Indeed. That is what he used to say before he became really popular.

[AntsDakota]

@AntsDakota, "No, what I mean is, he can still keep fire ants and such, he just needs to say something like, “Now, while fire ants are very interesting and fun to keep, I wholeheartedly believe that native ants found right in your own back yards are equally as fascinating to observe and keep.” People would listen to that"
 
Indeed. That is what he used to say before he became really popular.

I know! It just frustrates me that he suddenly stopped with his coming fame. I wonder if he believes that saying this will cause his colonies to go down in popularity.

[ANTdrew]

He seems to have a fuzzy view of what native means i.e. if you can find it in your area, then it’s native. He’s pretty clear against importing non-native ants like Oecophylla or something.

[MinigunL5]

I mean, AC got me into the hobby. But I was determined to do my reasearch, which is how I found how AC is not a real ant keeper and a entertainer. I found Aus Ants, Formiculture, and others which taught me never to use AC as a guide. Well, his older videos are not that bad.

Same, I quickly realized how bad he was.

[MinigunL5]

I it just me, or does Mikey look like an ant? Btw, I made this on a trackpad with basic Mac photo editing.

Attached Images

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[Serafine]

 

 

 

Most of his popular colonies are destructive invasives. He makes these invasives look like the coolest ants on the planet, which indirectly encourages his fans to keep them. I mean, many devout fans tend to wear the same clothes, have the same hair style, walk and talk the same way as their star. Is it that far fetched that AC’s fans would want to keep the same species as he does? So, it’s not like he directly encourages keeping destructive species, but that’s how his fans take it.

I get it but you're making it sound as if he shouldn't be keeping those species, that was my point.

 

No, I mean he should make it more clear that people should keep native ants, which are equally as interesting as the ones he’s keeping.

 

I agree but I'm not really sure how that could be done since he can't keep temperate species.

 

There's at least 561 native species on the Philippines, including genuses like Anochetus, Camponotus, Cardiocondyla, Crematogaster, Diacamma, Polyrhachis and Tetramorium.

Truth is the only species Mikey ever kept over a long time for his Youtube channel are those fast growing, super easy to care for, very resilient invasives - some of them are in fact native to his area of the planet (yellow crazy ants), most aren't (Solenopsis geminata, Monomorium pharaonis, black crazy ants).
Slow-growing, less voracious ants just seem to be too boring for his Youtube audience, as are actual tutorials - just look at the last vote he made where fire ant video won over antkeeping tutorial. Half of his audience likely doesn't even keep ants, so they have zero interest in actual educational content. They're just there for the spectacle.
 

[Manitobant]

AC just did a raid shadow legends sponsor...


And the real kicker, the video wasnt even about ants!!!

[TennesseeAnts]

AC just did a raid shadow legends sponsor...


And the real kicker, the video wasnt even about ants!!!

What...…...

[DDD101DDD]

 

AC just did a raid shadow legends sponsor...


And the real kicker, the video wasnt even about ants!!!

What...…...

 

Just from the title, I think he's lost it.

[Temperateants]

I it just me, or does Mikey look like an ant? Btw, I made this on a trackpad with basic Mac photo editing.

That is cursed............ nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nonononononononono

[Temperateants]

Also on your point of "AC indirectly causes more RIFA to be kept" some anecdotal evidence is that my friend who watched antscanada wanted to raise RIFA.