"Reality: If you came across a jumper -- an animal that beat the odds and escaped slaughter -- your first inclination would probably be to rescue, care for, and nurture that animal. You would likely care deeply. And you know that. And the fact that your choices don't align with that makes you uncomfy. That's called cognitive dissonance. Really being introspective and changing takes courage. But we see people do it every day." --The Hopeful Herbivore

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DZaUGhQG6/

I'm a vegetarian, s-l-o-w-l-y making my towards veganism. But the dogmatism of The Hopeful Herbivore and the "fellow travelers" he/she quotes rubs me the wrong way. I hate people who presume to know how "most people" think, feel, or behave -- and are arrogant enough to tell them how they think, feel, or behave.

Fact is, "most people" don't give a damn about the pieces of meat in their refrigerator. A hardcore, atavistic bunch -- who like blood in their meat -- want to hunt and kill their din-din.

I care about animals, which is why I don't eat them. Indeed, I prefer animals to people . . . especially people who are insufferable, toffee-nosed preachers like THH. But I am not a militant vegetarian. I won't eat with carnivores. But I don't lecture, scold, and shame them. I don't like being lectured to or nagged, so I don't lecture or nag other people. I decided to "go veggie" after a coworker once explained to me why she was a vegetarian.

"I don't want to eat anything that has to die to satisfy my appetite."

That simple, gentle, humane statement made a profound impact on me. Almost forty years later, I haven't "touched meat" since then.

I once loaned the brutal 1949 documentary Le Sang des Bêtes to a neighbor. When she returned it to me, she said, "Wow! That's almost enough to make me become a vegetarian!" I didn't say anything, but I thought, "Almost?!"

THH can call it "cognitive dissonance." "OtherCosmonauta" can confidently state what "most people would have wanted." Whatever.

Most people prefer to think that a hamburger comes from McDonald's and bacon 'n eggs come from a grocery store.

i have a different perspective. I say judge, and prepare to be judged. But judge the behavior, not the person. No one is better. Some behave better.

you are not shy about judging, scolding, or shaming the Prez and his supporters like Little Red Riding Hood. I understand. Silence in the presence of injustice is complicit.

slavery was ended precisely because people told slavers "what to think and feel." And when they didn't listen, the North pushed their point at the end of bayonets.

like you, i assume, i criticize people who discriminate against other races, nationality, or sexuality. In regards to animal abuse, i opt to speak out at opportune moments. If someone wants an award for speaking up against injustice, i'd give it to them. Though i know you're not looking for a medal for your dietary sacrifice, you earned one 🏆.

i like the thread of independence that runs through your posts. You don't like being told what to think, even when you agree. It's as if there's one emotion that doesn't play well with your other emotions and advanced intellect. I may be wrong, and judgemental, but could it be a cognitive disconnect? We all do it.

If you literally "won't eat with carnivores," you speak louder and more forcefully than i ever have. And because you blew your own horn, here, I will consider adjusting my own behavior (that's what speaking out publicly can do). Or, I might safely, cognitively disconnect, and just continue to eat my salad at the same table with the bloody bastards 😉

11 hours ago, V.3 said:

. . . It's interesting that you don't like being told what to do, even when you agree. It's as if there's one emotion that doesn't play well with your other emotions and advanced intellect. I could be wrong. and judgemental. but could it be a cognitive disconnect? . . .

No comprendo. But, that's okay. I don't need to understand everything.

The last time that I dined with carnivores (during a business luncheon), pre-pandemic, I was asked the reason why I am a vegetarian. I recited the answer that had inspired me:

"I don't want to eat anything that has to die to satisfy my appetite."

. . . which initially caused an uncomfortable, squirming silence at the lunch table -- followed by my coworkers eagerly and hungrily tucking in on their burgers, steaks, and baby back ribs.

I don't proselytize because, in my cynical opinion, proselytism -- aggressively trying to change people's minds -- not only doesn't work, it puts some people on the defensive and, in extreme cases, the offensive. If a meat-eater is considering "going veggie" and asks me how to do that, I'll offer recommendations. But, I will not militantly try to convert a flesh-eater to my lifestyle and my way of thinking. My philosophy is, everyone becomes "enlightened" at his/her own pace and in his/her own way.

Tossing slavery into the discussion is not a persuasive argument for me. Lumping and equating any or all bad behaviors is too broad a generalization. I prefer to consider the sins of Man on a case-by-case basis. Pardon my compartmentalization . . . or don't.

Bon appétit!

6 hours ago, macphysto said:

My philosophy is, everyone becomes "enlightened" at his/her own pace and in his/her own way.

and, normally, that has to suffice. but in cases of gross injustice, the victims don't have the luxury of time.

Tossing slavery into the discussion is not a persuasive argument for me.

the analogy is easily translated. If some Haitian was trying to "eat the cats. eat the dogs" on our street, we might first raise our voice, then make our point at the end of a garden shovel.

but i'm not trying to change your mind. we essentially agree but have different protest techniques. I'm pitching to any internet surfer with an open mind. I just saw this article. Billie is not trying to change Musk's mind. She's raising awareness.