Here's what I say to ASOIAF fans that think the Iron islands "make no sense"

I hear this sentiment expressed in many online forums. People belive that the Iron islands, as depicted in the show or described in the book cannot possibly maintain a large, settled population. They're too barren, too small, totaly deforested, the Old Way is all about reaving and shames sustinance farming and manufactoring etc... is said.

I can't really enjoy a fantasy setting if I belive that a part of it just "doesn't make sense" so here's how I belive the Iron islands work.

1. They trade. Like a lot. They do a fuckton of maritime trade mostly from their main port of Lordsport. When Theon arrives on the Iron islands he notes that he sees ships from as far away as Ibb and Tyrosh. He describes seeing countless ships, fishing ones and the ones that make up the Iron Fleet.

2. What do they trade? Whale oil and sealskin leather. Now this part is not described in canon, just my theory. There must be some luxury good to attract trade ships from far of lands and I belive that's what it is. Whale oil was a prized commodity used for making paints, soap and as fuel.

3. The Old Way does not shame skilled labour or fishing. The Iron islands have some of the best metalworkers in the continent, Yandel of the Citadel even writes:

"There are many fine metalworkers amongst the ironborn, as might be expected; the forges of Lordsport produce swords, axes, ringmail, and plate second to none"

Farming does exist on the island, Theon even mentions passing by a few IIRC. But the soil quality is poor so growing anything is hard. Farmers do not produce enough excess to survive the winter and have no combat or maritime skill which is why they toil in the mines or sell themselves into thralldom to survive, and that's why the farming lifestyle has such a stigma against it (again, my own personal theory). The words "we do not sow" likely developed out of need, not some baseless philosophical rejection of farm work. Mining the rich iron ore deposits on the island (which is also a trade good) is rejected becuse, well, have you ever worked in a mine? I have, it's insane just how dangerous and hard of a job it is. Horses are probably few and far between on the island so the ore likely has to be carried out by people. The ore is needed for tools, weapons and trade so somebody has to do the work.

What i'm saying is that some agriculture exists on the island, even poor soil can sustain sheep and goats. The ironborn can trade, buy or steal the grain, wood, cloth and horses to sustain themselves.