it was marketing that introduced people around the world to the fast food diets of america, marketing made it easy and cheap to have this novel meal every day, marketing, information, it's not harmless, because marketing is driven by profit, expanding as far and fast as it can. there is no restraint and no consideration of future, only win win win.
the voice of reason that says 'your diet is destroying rainforests' 'your diet is giving you diseases and cancer' simply doesn't have the money and marketing to have that global reach. so i'm blogging about it, who will that reach? who can peta reach? word of mouth takes time to spread. and marketing is quick to counter, with money, glittery commercials, paid actors, total ignorance of harm.
news: africa food shortage
Increasing food supply by eating vegetables directly would easily provide food aid to end hunger problems in africa. There have been riots, migrations, nation-state failure, and people are killing monkeys for food, and this is bringing exposure to another potential pandemic disease.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/africa/12/08/pip.zoonotics/index.html?iref=mpstoryview
There is more than enough food for the world, it's just being used inefficiently to feed animals. Saying that animal rights people should stop worrying about animals when there is human suffering going on have got it backwards. Animal eaters are hurting animals and humans.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/africa/12/08/pip.zoonotics/index.html?iref=mpstoryview
There is more than enough food for the world, it's just being used inefficiently to feed animals. Saying that animal rights people should stop worrying about animals when there is human suffering going on have got it backwards. Animal eaters are hurting animals and humans.
vegan 401k
I've got a small 401k account, and I was thinking, I don't know what companies that fund is invested in! I could be invested in hot dogs! Gah! I've got to figure out how to move my 401k to turtle island, then maybe I'll get discounts on tofurkey =D
Anyone know anything about a vegan 401k? I suppose it takes some research into the companies to start something like that. And law degrees and stuff. Garsh!
Anyone know anything about a vegan 401k? I suppose it takes some research into the companies to start something like that. And law degrees and stuff. Garsh!
Ideas at change.org
Barack Obama has started a website which is a sort of forum for collecting ideas. The site is: Change.org. There's an animal rights section and an agricultural policy section which I think we may have some things to say about. Anyone can post an idea, comment on ideas, and vote for ideas.
I posted one today here:
http://www.change.org/ideas/view_idea/stop_subsidizing_animal_industries
I posted one today here:
http://www.change.org/ideas/view_idea/stop_subsidizing_animal_industries
Convincing people to change
It may be difficult to accept when someone tells you about veganism, because you don't want someone else telling you how to eat, especially when it's being stigmatized with large support from the meat industry. You can do it, you can change, be the world you want to see.
Methods of introducing this information in a way that is convincing, as people often want to ignore ideas which are contrary to what they have believed, there is cognitive dissonance, and it's easier to ignore or dogmatically refute than to change. It is especially difficult for someone to change at the suggestion of another, so some methods will have the person suggesting the change to themself instead of suggesting that they change. This can work by asking questions or suggesting the opposite, which will lead the person to defend your position. Change sticks well when a person feels that they own the idea and convinced themselves, not that someone else convinced them.
In this political season we saw a great acceptance of change, a change in government which should reflect our modern civilization, moving away from the corrupt, violent, greedy politics of the past. This want for change should be brought to individuals as well, forgoing the shallow, selfish, isolating ways of the past for the creative, communal, peaceful ways of a modern society.
I happened upon some star trek, really an idealistic vision of the future. I wish shows like this were more popular, by focusing on how things can be, we can plan our way to that future.
Methods of introducing this information in a way that is convincing, as people often want to ignore ideas which are contrary to what they have believed, there is cognitive dissonance, and it's easier to ignore or dogmatically refute than to change. It is especially difficult for someone to change at the suggestion of another, so some methods will have the person suggesting the change to themself instead of suggesting that they change. This can work by asking questions or suggesting the opposite, which will lead the person to defend your position. Change sticks well when a person feels that they own the idea and convinced themselves, not that someone else convinced them.
In this political season we saw a great acceptance of change, a change in government which should reflect our modern civilization, moving away from the corrupt, violent, greedy politics of the past. This want for change should be brought to individuals as well, forgoing the shallow, selfish, isolating ways of the past for the creative, communal, peaceful ways of a modern society.
I happened upon some star trek, really an idealistic vision of the future. I wish shows like this were more popular, by focusing on how things can be, we can plan our way to that future.
What is natural/herbivore vs omnivore vs carnivore
It's only because of the invention of fire that humans can survive on animal flesh, and survival only goes as far as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes will get you. Any herbivore can survive on the kind of cooked flesh diet that most humans eat today [citation needed].
It's not about what's historical, it's about what is best for us and our fellow earthlings now. The rate of consumption of resources is unsustainable, and the industries producing meat from the flesh of animals are oversubsidized, overpolluting, and overconsuming resources to produce an inferior source of nutrition. And why should animals suffer when we have a healthy alternative.
It's not about what's historical, it's about what is best for us and our fellow earthlings now. The rate of consumption of resources is unsustainable, and the industries producing meat from the flesh of animals are oversubsidized, overpolluting, and overconsuming resources to produce an inferior source of nutrition. And why should animals suffer when we have a healthy alternative.
Think about the news: cholesterol drugs
So, today in the news, a study has suggested that everyone should start taking cholesterol drugs, because you're going to get heart disease eventually and these drugs will stave off the inevitable. No mention of diet of course. It could have been more accurately written as: If You're Eating Animal Flesh, Your Diet Will Kill You Unless You Take These Pills. The meat industry has got to love this, the consumers of their "products" can now live another day to eat another animal. Next they'll be injecting cholesterol drugs directly into the meat.
Link:
http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSN0939180520081109
Link:
http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSN0939180520081109
My secret love affair with tofurky
I've got to admit, I'm in love with tofurky sausages. There's nothing like a tofurky beer brat with saurkraut and some nice spicy mustard and some grilled peppers and onions and a cold beer mm mm! After a long bike ride, this is basically my nirvana.
I've been thinking lately though, that when people see me enjoying a tofurky sausage, they won't know I'm eating a vegan sausage, and they may feel inspired to eat a sausage made from dead animals =[ When I eat my vegan meat products in public, it's kind of advertising eating meat, since people won't know that I'm vegan. I've thought about this when I'm eating a sandwhich or veggie burger at school.
So now I buy bananas instead of veggie burgers at school, and I eat my sausages in secret.
Not really, I think that at some point the people that know me some at school will be pleasantly surprised when I tell people that I'm vegan. If I was eating some obviously vegan food like..a raw block of tofu nom nom..it wouldn't be much of a surprise then would it?
I've been thinking lately though, that when people see me enjoying a tofurky sausage, they won't know I'm eating a vegan sausage, and they may feel inspired to eat a sausage made from dead animals =[ When I eat my vegan meat products in public, it's kind of advertising eating meat, since people won't know that I'm vegan. I've thought about this when I'm eating a sandwhich or veggie burger at school.
So now I buy bananas instead of veggie burgers at school, and I eat my sausages in secret.
Not really, I think that at some point the people that know me some at school will be pleasantly surprised when I tell people that I'm vegan. If I was eating some obviously vegan food like..a raw block of tofu nom nom..it wouldn't be much of a surprise then would it?
hurt
why would you hurt an animal when there's an alternative which costs and tastes about the same, and is healthier for you and the world?
Animal eaters lack imagination
They cannot imagine the life and death of the animals they buy. If they could they would certainly change their purchasing habits or be wracked with guilt and cognitive dissonance.
advertising an amendment
At Burning Man this year, they will have amendment proposals on display:
I'm going to make one relating to animal rights, and another relating to the debate between the relative cuteness of kittens and puppies (studies show kittens are cuter). As for animal rights, I'm interested in how others might write an animal rights amendment.
The way this is worded is important. For instance it could legalize ideally the beneficial relationship between non-human animals and humans. Or it could extend the protection given to humans to animals. Or it could make violence against animals criminal. Terms should be defined.
I'll write it up later!
Everyone can participate in this Interactive social forum! Post your AD for amendments to the US constitution, Burning Man's Ten Principles, or any other document in existence! ALL WEEK you can affix your typed up or handwritten amendments to the ADamendment display @ the CENSUS camp! Participants can also interact & add comments to each AD on display! Burning Man is a participation oriented social landscape, any and all options and statements are invited!
I'm going to make one relating to animal rights, and another relating to the debate between the relative cuteness of kittens and puppies (studies show kittens are cuter). As for animal rights, I'm interested in how others might write an animal rights amendment.
The way this is worded is important. For instance it could legalize ideally the beneficial relationship between non-human animals and humans. Or it could extend the protection given to humans to animals. Or it could make violence against animals criminal. Terms should be defined.
I'll write it up later!
interview with a veganpire
There's a web quiz/interview right here:
https://secure.einterview.org/lifestyle/
It's a nice platonic approach to challenging lifestyle choices by asking questions.
https://secure.einterview.org/lifestyle/
It's a nice platonic approach to challenging lifestyle choices by asking questions.
Think about the news: dementia
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7524816.stm
"Statins 'may cut dementia risk'"
'Statins' are a class of drugs which reduces 'bad cholesterol' levels. Statins are taken by millions of meat eaters to prevent their hearts from solidifying from all the cholesterol they eat. Reducing the plaque on the arteries prevents heart attacks.
Except for rare genetic disorders, vegans don't have cholesterol issues, because the body manufactures all the cholesterol it needs, and a vegan diet has 0 cholesterol. Animals manufacture cholesterol for themselves and for their young, just like we do, so it's found in animal flesh, eggs, and dairy. Bad cholesterol results from an imbalance of HDL and LDL levels, which is due to consumption of cholesterol.
Now a study has shown that taking Statins prevents dementia, because apparently that bad cholesterol can also build up in the arteries in the neck, reducing blood flow to the brain, which can lead to dementia, Alzheimers, and stroke.
It would be more accurate for this article to be titled: Statins may cut dementia risk in those with high cholesterol. Or: Dementia risk associated with high cholesterol. Or: Eating meat may lead to dementia, Alzheimers, and stroke.
I wonder if cholesterol buildup is reducing blood flow to the brain and impairing cognitive abilities in small amounts in all pre-dementia meat eaters. This, might explain why they have such a hard time making little dietary changes that could really improve their lives.
"Statins 'may cut dementia risk'"
'Statins' are a class of drugs which reduces 'bad cholesterol' levels. Statins are taken by millions of meat eaters to prevent their hearts from solidifying from all the cholesterol they eat. Reducing the plaque on the arteries prevents heart attacks.
Except for rare genetic disorders, vegans don't have cholesterol issues, because the body manufactures all the cholesterol it needs, and a vegan diet has 0 cholesterol. Animals manufacture cholesterol for themselves and for their young, just like we do, so it's found in animal flesh, eggs, and dairy. Bad cholesterol results from an imbalance of HDL and LDL levels, which is due to consumption of cholesterol.
Now a study has shown that taking Statins prevents dementia, because apparently that bad cholesterol can also build up in the arteries in the neck, reducing blood flow to the brain, which can lead to dementia, Alzheimers, and stroke.
It would be more accurate for this article to be titled: Statins may cut dementia risk in those with high cholesterol. Or: Dementia risk associated with high cholesterol. Or: Eating meat may lead to dementia, Alzheimers, and stroke.
I wonder if cholesterol buildup is reducing blood flow to the brain and impairing cognitive abilities in small amounts in all pre-dementia meat eaters. This, might explain why they have such a hard time making little dietary changes that could really improve their lives.
Custom vegan literature generator
A webpage which will create and print a custom 1 page vegan literature sheet. Something a little more personalized and interesting to give to your family.
Interest checkboxes:
[] Health
[] Environment
[] Ethics
[] Christian
[] Senior
[] Children
etc
Recipes:
[] American
[] Mexican
[] Italian
etc
Enter a city name/zip for local restaurants/markets:
[] Black and white or [] Color
[Preview] [Print!]
Interest checkboxes:
[] Health
[] Environment
[] Ethics
[] Christian
[] Senior
[] Children
etc
Recipes:
[] American
[] Mexican
[] Italian
etc
Enter a city name/zip for local restaurants/markets:
[] Black and white or [] Color
[Preview] [Print!]
Charting Suffering and Economics
I'll be taking economnomics next semester and so my focus on environmental impacts of animal use for the environment class will shift to economic considerations. I just realized that I've written about economics in previous posts and I should find plenty of animal use issues to raise in the econ class.
Today I imagined presenting a chart comparing the prices of some similar animal and vegetable products (burgers, etc) to the very animal dependent middle class, who often uses the extra cost of buying a box of veggie burgers to justify never even trying one.
Maybe in terms of how many animals and acres of rainforests would be saved by spending a few bucks extra on veggie burgers. Maybe even include the offset for long term medical costs and you'd end up saving some money. If you could include lost productivity from an early death I'm sure the figures would come up ahead for vegetables.
And of course if we could get the whole agricultural subsidy situation fixed, that would go a long way to straightening out why a beef patty which took the resources to make like 20 veggie patties somehow costs less.
Annual Costs: (TOTALLY ESTIMATING HERE)
Rows to add: medical cost, greenhouse gasses, disease/epidemic potential
Columns to add: milk/soymilk
Today I imagined presenting a chart comparing the prices of some similar animal and vegetable products (burgers, etc) to the very animal dependent middle class, who often uses the extra cost of buying a box of veggie burgers to justify never even trying one.
Maybe in terms of how many animals and acres of rainforests would be saved by spending a few bucks extra on veggie burgers. Maybe even include the offset for long term medical costs and you'd end up saving some money. If you could include lost productivity from an early death I'm sure the figures would come up ahead for vegetables.
And of course if we could get the whole agricultural subsidy situation fixed, that would go a long way to straightening out why a beef patty which took the resources to make like 20 veggie patties somehow costs less.
Annual Costs: (TOTALLY ESTIMATING HERE)
| Product: | Vegan Burger (1/day) | Beef Burger (1/day) | Chicken Patty (1/day) |
| Retail Price: | $900 | $700 | $700 |
| Animals Killed: | 0 | 2 | 30 |
| Water Used: | 1400 gal | 100000 gal | 10000 gal |
| Land used: | 1 acre (local) | 100 acre (80% rainforest) | 4 acre (80% rainforest) |
Rows to add: medical cost, greenhouse gasses, disease/epidemic potential
Columns to add: milk/soymilk
Run you pigeons! It's Robert Frost!
The Road Not Taken - Robert Frost
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth.
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same.
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth.
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same.
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
The Myth of Unprocessed Animal Meat
So I've heard meat eaters say that they don't want processed meats, as a way of excluding vegan meat products that resemble processed meats, such as Tofurkey deli slices, veggie dogs, soy crumbles, etc. They would prefer a more pure meat, such as fried chicken, or a turkey carcass on their table. Well, let's consider what meat means to be processed.
The flesh of animals will quickly rot and decay on store shelves, so to extend shelf life, the bodies are processed with preservatives and chemicals which make it look, smell, or taste fresh. Processed meats have been linked to increasing rate of cancers on top of the normal cancerous properties of cooking meat. I can see why anyone would want to avoid these.
On the other hand, when vegetables are processed into products that resemble processed meats, they have little need for the harsh chemicals to prevent the rotting that animal flesh goes through. A little salt is often enough.
When animals are not processed in a factory, they are not considered processed meats, such as a Thanksgiving turkey. But to call this 'unprocessed' would be ignoring a large part of what brought that animal to the table. That is, the birth, growth, and life of the turkey before it was killed. The turkey had all sorts of bodily processes going on, respiration, digestion, immune systems, learning, mating. These processes are a magnitude greater in complexity than the processes that a plant goes through to produce vegetables.
Most importantly, the plant is producing vegetables for the mutualistic purpose of feeding animals, so they can spread the seeds. Plants grow delicious and nutritious vegetables intentionally! When a human consumes an animal, the bodily processes must be stopped, by killing, and it must go through further processing by fire in order to make it "safe" to eat.
The flesh of animals will quickly rot and decay on store shelves, so to extend shelf life, the bodies are processed with preservatives and chemicals which make it look, smell, or taste fresh. Processed meats have been linked to increasing rate of cancers on top of the normal cancerous properties of cooking meat. I can see why anyone would want to avoid these.
On the other hand, when vegetables are processed into products that resemble processed meats, they have little need for the harsh chemicals to prevent the rotting that animal flesh goes through. A little salt is often enough.
When animals are not processed in a factory, they are not considered processed meats, such as a Thanksgiving turkey. But to call this 'unprocessed' would be ignoring a large part of what brought that animal to the table. That is, the birth, growth, and life of the turkey before it was killed. The turkey had all sorts of bodily processes going on, respiration, digestion, immune systems, learning, mating. These processes are a magnitude greater in complexity than the processes that a plant goes through to produce vegetables.
Most importantly, the plant is producing vegetables for the mutualistic purpose of feeding animals, so they can spread the seeds. Plants grow delicious and nutritious vegetables intentionally! When a human consumes an animal, the bodily processes must be stopped, by killing, and it must go through further processing by fire in order to make it "safe" to eat.
Take a class
Hello, I've been busy with college classes for the past couple weeks. One of the classes I'm taking is:
BIOL 120 The Environment of Man
This is an introductory course that examines the immediate and long-range causes and effects of air, water, and land pollution on the environment and human health. The course also explores basic concepts of ecology, overpopulation, natural resources, and the sustainability of the environment and its biodiversity. The study of positive solutions to the ecological dilemma is addressed.
It has been interesting, and it has been a great outlet for expressing my concerns about food sources and their effects on the environment. This is an online class and participating in forum discussions are a required part of the class. The forums are full of active and intelligent discourse, and scientific citations are more highly regarded than subjective opinions. The semester project is to create a (powerpoint) presentation detailing an environmental problem, it's solutions, and the pros and cons of the solutions. I am planning to focus on the environmental benefits of reducing the use of animals for food, with data from 'Livestock's Long Shadow'. The presentation is something I will further publicize here. The presentation is likely to be viewed and commented on by my classmates, giving it easy initial exposure and refinement. The first tip I can give is not to procrastinate posting if you want people to see and comment on what you've written. The earlier it's in the forum, the more people that will see it.
Even if you aren't a regular college student, taking an online course such as this can be a good way to increase your understanding of the issues, and a way to improve your ability to discuss these issues persuasively. You might even enjoy college and persue further studies and degrees that will give you a broad scientific basis for discourse on animal issues.
BIOL 120 The Environment of Man
This is an introductory course that examines the immediate and long-range causes and effects of air, water, and land pollution on the environment and human health. The course also explores basic concepts of ecology, overpopulation, natural resources, and the sustainability of the environment and its biodiversity. The study of positive solutions to the ecological dilemma is addressed.
It has been interesting, and it has been a great outlet for expressing my concerns about food sources and their effects on the environment. This is an online class and participating in forum discussions are a required part of the class. The forums are full of active and intelligent discourse, and scientific citations are more highly regarded than subjective opinions. The semester project is to create a (powerpoint) presentation detailing an environmental problem, it's solutions, and the pros and cons of the solutions. I am planning to focus on the environmental benefits of reducing the use of animals for food, with data from 'Livestock's Long Shadow'. The presentation is something I will further publicize here. The presentation is likely to be viewed and commented on by my classmates, giving it easy initial exposure and refinement. The first tip I can give is not to procrastinate posting if you want people to see and comment on what you've written. The earlier it's in the forum, the more people that will see it.
Even if you aren't a regular college student, taking an online course such as this can be a good way to increase your understanding of the issues, and a way to improve your ability to discuss these issues persuasively. You might even enjoy college and persue further studies and degrees that will give you a broad scientific basis for discourse on animal issues.
Human Dairy
Well, if you really want to have dairy so bad, here's two ways to have your milk and cheese without exploiting animals!
Method 1: make a baby. girls only.
step 1: get pregnant.
step 2: deliver baby.
step 3: pump your breasts to extract milk, just like milking a cow.
step 4: enjoy your dairy!
note: your baby will probably want that milk, so you might have to give up your baby so you can enjoy all your milk, nothing that a cow wouldn't do!
Method 2: hormone treatment. works for girls and may work for guys too (aka: manmilk)
step 1: take hormone pills daily to cause body to divert nutrients into lactation
step 2: pump breasts to extract milk
step 3: enjoy your dairy!
note: hormones will probably be in milk, causing anyone consuming the dairy to possibly lactate as well. hormones may have harmful side effects. hormones will also be in urine causing lactating fish and the dreaded White Sea Syndrome as well.
Good luck and God help us all
Method 1: make a baby. girls only.
step 1: get pregnant.
step 2: deliver baby.
step 3: pump your breasts to extract milk, just like milking a cow.
step 4: enjoy your dairy!
note: your baby will probably want that milk, so you might have to give up your baby so you can enjoy all your milk, nothing that a cow wouldn't do!
Method 2: hormone treatment. works for girls and may work for guys too (aka: manmilk)
step 1: take hormone pills daily to cause body to divert nutrients into lactation
step 2: pump breasts to extract milk
step 3: enjoy your dairy!
note: hormones will probably be in milk, causing anyone consuming the dairy to possibly lactate as well. hormones may have harmful side effects. hormones will also be in urine causing lactating fish and the dreaded White Sea Syndrome as well.
Good luck and God help us all
Paying meat-eaters to eat a vegan meal
I saw this post at Meat Peeps, a creative blog about the strange ways of meat-eating folk:
http://meatpeeps.blogspot.com/2008/05/17-quitting-before-they-start.html
It gave me the idea that if someone told me they could 'never be a vegan', I would be prepared and offer them a five dollar wager that they would enjoy a vegan meal. I would take them out to a local vegan eatery and buy them a meal and tell them about veganism while they ate. Chances are they would become more informed and would enjoy the meal or lie and get five bucks out of me, but they'd get the info and exposure to good food either way.
This also has me thinking, well if a meat eater was willing to eat a vegan meal on my dime (who wouldn't take a free meal) then maybe if vegan meals were always available for free, they would be vegans. Of course, this is a costly idea. There's 'Food Not Bombs' who provides free vegan food to the homeless, but that's food for people who can't afford food. Maybe there could be a 'Food Not Cruelty' that could give away free vegan meals around a suburban food court. Of course, these places are usually designed to make it easy for them to kick out unwanted vendors, so maybe just handing out coupons for free meals at a nearby vegan eatery.
I have had the dream for many years to buy a roach coach, a big kitchen on wheels, to make and either sell cheaply or give away vegan foods. It's like opening a restaurant but without location limitations, and probably cheaper rent.
http://meatpeeps.blogspot.com/2008/05/17-quitting-before-they-start.html
It gave me the idea that if someone told me they could 'never be a vegan', I would be prepared and offer them a five dollar wager that they would enjoy a vegan meal. I would take them out to a local vegan eatery and buy them a meal and tell them about veganism while they ate. Chances are they would become more informed and would enjoy the meal or lie and get five bucks out of me, but they'd get the info and exposure to good food either way.
This also has me thinking, well if a meat eater was willing to eat a vegan meal on my dime (who wouldn't take a free meal) then maybe if vegan meals were always available for free, they would be vegans. Of course, this is a costly idea. There's 'Food Not Bombs' who provides free vegan food to the homeless, but that's food for people who can't afford food. Maybe there could be a 'Food Not Cruelty' that could give away free vegan meals around a suburban food court. Of course, these places are usually designed to make it easy for them to kick out unwanted vendors, so maybe just handing out coupons for free meals at a nearby vegan eatery.
I have had the dream for many years to buy a roach coach, a big kitchen on wheels, to make and either sell cheaply or give away vegan foods. It's like opening a restaurant but without location limitations, and probably cheaper rent.
Animal welfare economics
I decided to split my previous post into two posts on similar topics. This is part two.
Animal welfare legislation is helping to abolish the use of animals in at least one way: Money. When the animal handlers have to provide more space for the animals, this will cost them money, which will either cut their profits, or more likely, raise prices. This will reduce demand, further destabilizing prices.
Why else would the egg industry be spending so much to stop the animal welfare legislation in California? They don't care about ethics, they're a business and this cuts into their bottom line.
When animals are given the freedom to live as they would naturally, as most people want them to have, it becomes more expensive/less profitable for those that exploit them. As people can, unfortunately, ignore ethical arguments about their purchases, when the tofurkey slices are cheaper than the animal stuff, people suddenly decide being ethical isn't so bad.
Once the vegan alternative food products are cheaper than their animal-based counterparts, the markets will shift. Why aren't they already cheaper? It takes more resources and labor to raise and kill animals. The answer is in subsidies, volume/market share, and competition. When vegan products sell in higher volume, the prices will go down as mass manufacture and competition rise.
There is a concept called 'true cost economics', which was created because most products are sold at the price of getting the product to the consumer, without regard for costs incurred after purchase. Oil is sold below 'true cost' because the environmental and health issues from burning the oil are not included in the purchase price. The same is true of animal products. Animal handlers are not cleaning up rivers or land polluted by the animals they raised, and they certainly aren't footing the medical bills for the millions dying from heart disease every year. This would be another good piece of legislation. Businesses must be responsible for the messes they make, instead of putting burden on the public.
Animal welfare legislation is helping to abolish the use of animals in at least one way: Money. When the animal handlers have to provide more space for the animals, this will cost them money, which will either cut their profits, or more likely, raise prices. This will reduce demand, further destabilizing prices.
Why else would the egg industry be spending so much to stop the animal welfare legislation in California? They don't care about ethics, they're a business and this cuts into their bottom line.
When animals are given the freedom to live as they would naturally, as most people want them to have, it becomes more expensive/less profitable for those that exploit them. As people can, unfortunately, ignore ethical arguments about their purchases, when the tofurkey slices are cheaper than the animal stuff, people suddenly decide being ethical isn't so bad.
Once the vegan alternative food products are cheaper than their animal-based counterparts, the markets will shift. Why aren't they already cheaper? It takes more resources and labor to raise and kill animals. The answer is in subsidies, volume/market share, and competition. When vegan products sell in higher volume, the prices will go down as mass manufacture and competition rise.
There is a concept called 'true cost economics', which was created because most products are sold at the price of getting the product to the consumer, without regard for costs incurred after purchase. Oil is sold below 'true cost' because the environmental and health issues from burning the oil are not included in the purchase price. The same is true of animal products. Animal handlers are not cleaning up rivers or land polluted by the animals they raised, and they certainly aren't footing the medical bills for the millions dying from heart disease every year. This would be another good piece of legislation. Businesses must be responsible for the messes they make, instead of putting burden on the public.
Legislative approaches to abolition
The government is of the people, by the people, and for the people. Where our tax dollars go and how businesses are regulated is up to us, through government representation, or through public service in a political position. Our government should reflect our values and make informed decisions.
I think a good first step here is to speak with your representatives about veganism and all of the issues. We have one vegan in the United States congress, Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, let's see if we can't talk sense into a few more!
The next step is to become politically involved. Run for office. Get employment into relevant departments. I'm going to be taking classes in nutrition in college to get involved with the FDA in the future.
Animal welfare legislation is raising public awareness of the ethical issues of animal handling. The animal welfare legislation should continue going state to state, and as more people hear, talk, and think about it, they may just bring it to the national level, and the more this discussion happens, the more people are going to be exposed to the cruelty on their plates. Some people may return to ignorance, but the dollars won't lie, sales of animal products will decrease as alternatives rise.
Another legislative approach to cutting the profits of animal industries is subsidies. The government gives billions of dollars to animal slave drivers so that Americans can put cheap beef on the table. Talk about taxation without representation. It's also anti-competitive against the alternative food products.
Also, as I said in a previous post, public schools buy huge amounts of animal products with our tax dollars to provide our children poor nutrition. This and the FDA's food pyramid and nutritional education in general needs to be changed.
I think a good first step here is to speak with your representatives about veganism and all of the issues. We have one vegan in the United States congress, Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, let's see if we can't talk sense into a few more!
The next step is to become politically involved. Run for office. Get employment into relevant departments. I'm going to be taking classes in nutrition in college to get involved with the FDA in the future.
Animal welfare legislation is raising public awareness of the ethical issues of animal handling. The animal welfare legislation should continue going state to state, and as more people hear, talk, and think about it, they may just bring it to the national level, and the more this discussion happens, the more people are going to be exposed to the cruelty on their plates. Some people may return to ignorance, but the dollars won't lie, sales of animal products will decrease as alternatives rise.
Another legislative approach to cutting the profits of animal industries is subsidies. The government gives billions of dollars to animal slave drivers so that Americans can put cheap beef on the table. Talk about taxation without representation. It's also anti-competitive against the alternative food products.
Also, as I said in a previous post, public schools buy huge amounts of animal products with our tax dollars to provide our children poor nutrition. This and the FDA's food pyramid and nutritional education in general needs to be changed.
Raising animals for food is hurting America
I'm writing this without a political or monetary agenda, I honestly believe my country, The United States of America, is hurting itself severely by making poor dietary decisions. This is a plea to Americans to stop hurting America by eating animals.
Heart disease is killing more Americans than any other cause, and it is preventable and reversible by eating a plant-based diet. Obesity, diabetes, many cancers and diseases that reduce the quality of old age and eventually kill are also reduced by eating less animals and more plant-based foods.
Animals also eat most of America's grains, which could feed all Americans with enough left over for exports and to make ethanol to reduce the amount of oil we import and reduce the cost of gas substantially. Plants also absorb pollution, while raising animals is creating pollution in America's air, soil, and water. Animals consume many times more water per pound, which is crucial as America faces drought.
The billions of taxpayer dollars that go to subsidizing the animal farming industry could be returned to Americans, through tax cuts. Long term costs in health care, disaster relief, and other segments due to improved American health and environment would further improve the American economy.
[info on plant-based faux-meat traditional American foods]
Heart disease is killing more Americans than any other cause, and it is preventable and reversible by eating a plant-based diet. Obesity, diabetes, many cancers and diseases that reduce the quality of old age and eventually kill are also reduced by eating less animals and more plant-based foods.
Animals also eat most of America's grains, which could feed all Americans with enough left over for exports and to make ethanol to reduce the amount of oil we import and reduce the cost of gas substantially. Plants also absorb pollution, while raising animals is creating pollution in America's air, soil, and water. Animals consume many times more water per pound, which is crucial as America faces drought.
The billions of taxpayer dollars that go to subsidizing the animal farming industry could be returned to Americans, through tax cuts. Long term costs in health care, disaster relief, and other segments due to improved American health and environment would further improve the American economy.
[info on plant-based faux-meat traditional American foods]
Children deserve better
The salty, sugary, cholesterol laden, and dangerous foods in school cafeterias should not be there. Children should be given their start with the best nutrition possible, and not have their dietary norms be foods which cause heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. There are vegetable based alternatives that are similar in taste and texture, and are healthier for the body and mind.
Switch a hamburger lunch to a vegan burger and most kids will likely not notice or mind the difference, yet they'll be eating healthier, helping the environment, and protecting animals; all essential values for kids to learn.
Switch a hamburger lunch to a vegan burger and most kids will likely not notice or mind the difference, yet they'll be eating healthier, helping the environment, and protecting animals; all essential values for kids to learn.
Infomercials
Vegan infomercials like:
"you've heard that vegans don't eat meat or dairy and they just eat plants, (show black and white footage of salads and dreary music)
"well look at the vegan foods now! (sparkles with color footage of a wonderful vegan thanksgiving type spread, other traditional dishes, people enjoying vegan dinners)
"vegan foods are now similar in taste and textures to animal meat while offering better nutrition, fighting heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, and never needing to kill an animal. (show footage of calves playing in meadow)
the product (there's always a product in infomercials!) could be a vegan starter pack, maybe 19.95$ for a box of sample foods and a guide to local vegan restaurants and grocers or get the guide free on the website.
"you've heard that vegans don't eat meat or dairy and they just eat plants, (show black and white footage of salads and dreary music)
"well look at the vegan foods now! (sparkles with color footage of a wonderful vegan thanksgiving type spread, other traditional dishes, people enjoying vegan dinners)
"vegan foods are now similar in taste and textures to animal meat while offering better nutrition, fighting heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, and never needing to kill an animal. (show footage of calves playing in meadow)
the product (there's always a product in infomercials!) could be a vegan starter pack, maybe 19.95$ for a box of sample foods and a guide to local vegan restaurants and grocers or get the guide free on the website.
Doing it for health and enjoyment
Abolitionist vs Welfarist debate threatens to divide the animal rights movement!
Well let's not forget that some people have been turning vegan selfishly for years, because the best nutrition for any lifestyle and for a long active life is a vegan diet.
And because we also need clean air and water and to stabilize the climate, the pollution absorbing vegan diet is far better than the pollution producing animal industry.
Less health and environment problems in the future means more time to enjoy life!
That animals shouldn't have to suffer is a nice benefit, animals want to enjoy a free life, just like us.
Well let's not forget that some people have been turning vegan selfishly for years, because the best nutrition for any lifestyle and for a long active life is a vegan diet.
And because we also need clean air and water and to stabilize the climate, the pollution absorbing vegan diet is far better than the pollution producing animal industry.
Less health and environment problems in the future means more time to enjoy life!
That animals shouldn't have to suffer is a nice benefit, animals want to enjoy a free life, just like us.
a memorial for the animals
So that we can honor the countless animals who have suffered as humanity rose to greatness, a memorial is created to the animals that lived in human captivity, and to the people that worked to bring the cycle of violence against those animals to an end.
Thought one: infoporn
Infoporn is something I first saw in Wired magazine. They would have a few pages of their magazine with lots of pretty graphs and numbers. Here is a random example I just found:
http://www.wired.com/culture/culturereviews/magazine/15-07/st_infoporn
So. The idea I've had is to compose one page of pretty graphs that simplifies the material aspects of various food production methods. The graph I have in mind should use representative units like a blue cube for a cubic acre of water, green cube for an acre of land, bean pod icons for the vegetable input, brown cubes for poop, etc. And at the end there would be a burger icon for some thousands of beef or veggie burgers.
So a pair of food lines might look something like:
10[water]+1[land]+10[soy] -> 1[cow] -> 3[polluted water]+3[greenhouse gas]+1[burger]
1[water]+1[land]+1[greenhouse gas] -> 1[soy] -> 1[hamburger]
There are other elements that might fit into here as well (energy, factories, human labor, nutrition). Perhaps other lines as well (cows from factory farms vs grass fed cows). It should be simple and it should be easy to find the solid numbers for all this. Of course, this ignores all the unquantifiable aspects of animal cruelty that occurs on farms, but this is for a particular demograph of people who ignore anything based on unquantifiable aspects. Ideally getting this into something like Wired would be a great way to introduce lots of people to the ecological damage and resource waste they could avoid just by switching to a different hamburger icon.
I'll make a mock up of the diagram I have in mind, and if anyone with graphic design skills or is knowledgeable about the numbers I've proposed wants to contribute, just post a reply.
Update: this page has some of the stats I'm looking for:
http://www.vegansoapbox.com/an-environmentalist-who-eats-meat/
http://www.wired.com/culture/culturereviews/magazine/15-07/st_infoporn
So. The idea I've had is to compose one page of pretty graphs that simplifies the material aspects of various food production methods. The graph I have in mind should use representative units like a blue cube for a cubic acre of water, green cube for an acre of land, bean pod icons for the vegetable input, brown cubes for poop, etc. And at the end there would be a burger icon for some thousands of beef or veggie burgers.
So a pair of food lines might look something like:
10[water]+1[land]+10[soy] -> 1[cow] -> 3[polluted water]+3[greenhouse gas]+1[burger]
1[water]+1[land]+1[greenhouse gas] -> 1[soy] -> 1[hamburger]
There are other elements that might fit into here as well (energy, factories, human labor, nutrition). Perhaps other lines as well (cows from factory farms vs grass fed cows). It should be simple and it should be easy to find the solid numbers for all this. Of course, this ignores all the unquantifiable aspects of animal cruelty that occurs on farms, but this is for a particular demograph of people who ignore anything based on unquantifiable aspects. Ideally getting this into something like Wired would be a great way to introduce lots of people to the ecological damage and resource waste they could avoid just by switching to a different hamburger icon.
I'll make a mock up of the diagram I have in mind, and if anyone with graphic design skills or is knowledgeable about the numbers I've proposed wants to contribute, just post a reply.
Update: this page has some of the stats I'm looking for:
http://www.vegansoapbox.com/an-environmentalist-who-eats-meat/
Think Outside the Cage
Hello, the purpose of this blog is to provide a space for me to put my random ideas on improving the lives of the animals that are suffering needlessly for the human appetite. The ideas may not be fully thought out or may be incomplete, and I welcome any comments and criticisms so that they may someday be used to inspire wider audiences to make informed and compassionate decisions.
I would also encourage anyone who thinks of or hears about any other novel approaches to reducing suffering to send me an e-mail so I can post it here. I may link to posts I read on other blogs as well. There is a link to my e-mail and links to some of the other blogs I read on the side of this page. Replying to a post here is a safer way to ensure that I read your message, as spam filters can sometimes prevent legit messages.
Thanks, I hope you find some inspiration from my writings. Those in cages can't express their suffering, so it is up to us outside of the cage to help them.
I would also encourage anyone who thinks of or hears about any other novel approaches to reducing suffering to send me an e-mail so I can post it here. I may link to posts I read on other blogs as well. There is a link to my e-mail and links to some of the other blogs I read on the side of this page. Replying to a post here is a safer way to ensure that I read your message, as spam filters can sometimes prevent legit messages.
Thanks, I hope you find some inspiration from my writings. Those in cages can't express their suffering, so it is up to us outside of the cage to help them.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)