Michael Rowe

Trying to get better at getting better

TEDx Johanessburg (session 1) – Hennie Eksteen

Here are some interesting facts about earthworms:

  • They have no immune system…or teeth
  • The more rotten their food is, the better
  • They are the most numerous animals on earth
  • They lay cocoons every day or so
  • Earthworms create, purify and sanitise soil

OK, this is interesting but nothing I can’t get from Wikipedia.

I’m in two minds about this presentation.  I enjoyed it thoroughly but to me it didn’t seem to fit in with the theme of the conference…community upliftment.  Yes, earthworms are a great source of organic fertiliser that increase crop yields and are good for the environment.

But I was under the impression that presenters at TEDx must have done something to improve their small corner of the world.  Professor Eksteen has studied earthworms and clearly knows a lot about them.  He’s presented some interesting facts about how earthworms can be good for agriculture, but hasn’t done anything besides be an academic who studies earthworms.  Or maybe I missed something…?

As I said, this was interesting, but was it an idea worth spreading?


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