The problem is when you try to explain the problems of bowls to people, their typical response is something along the lines of:
"oh it's only a goldfish for the kids" which indicates that their owners don't really care for the goldfish.
Another problem which the article doesn't touch on, is that bowls are cheap and cheerful and because goldfish are associated with them, the fish themserlves are seen as cheap and cheerful, thus the lack of care and concern for their well-being.
Pauly.