New York, 3:05 AM
Fri Nov 13
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| posts about #jeffreymoussaieffmasson more → |
Animal Advocate Doesn't See Why Veganism Is So Difficult To Do |
The Ethics Of Eating: Veganism, Food & Fashion |
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Jezebel 
04/22/09
04/21/09
If I had lots of money, sure, I'd be vegan. But that will never happen. And if I ever DO decide to be vegan, I will not rub it in people's faces.
04/21/09
I wonder if this is a regional thing? I live in northern California so I tend to take things like this for granted.
04/22/09
04/21/09
04/21/09
As someone said above, I'll eat what I want and you can eat what you want. But don't start telling me veganism is difficult.
04/21/09
04/21/09
04/21/09
04/21/09
I never mock vegans or vegetarians, but I do expect them to respect my choices in the way I respect theirs.
04/21/09
04/21/09
04/21/09
Soy is grown in areas of the world in which is isn't native (like the US and Europe), which brings issues in sustaining other native crops like, say, vegetables.
Large areas of rainforest in South America are being cleared for soy farms.
The carbon footprint for transporting soy products from places they can be grown and processed to places where they are consumed is... LARGE.
And it's not as good for us, especially in large amounts, than you would think.
Links:
[civileats.com]
[www.alternet.org]
[www.electroherbalism.com]
[www.foei.org]
Everything in moderation. Raising animals as animals should be raised -- on grass, in large fields, NO CORN, NO SOY, NO FACTORY -- is as much if not more sustainable than raising vast amounts of soy.
04/21/09
04/21/09
And stoprobbers makes a good point for eating local/seasonal.
04/21/09
04/21/09
And, Mr. Masson, I come from a rodeo town. All those 4H and FFA kids know exactly where the animals they've raised are going, and they're not vegetarians.
04/21/09
04/21/09
04/21/09
that's been my strategy and it works amazingly well. most people are so programmed into eating meat at every meal that they can't imagine they'll be satisfied, or enjoy, a meal that doesn't include meat. it's nice to show them being vegetarian doesn't mean boiled vegetables and a flavorless menu.
04/21/09
04/21/09
i think back in the day the same argument was used to convince others that "the savages" (non-europeans) weren't really "human" and worth the same liberties and respect as white people.
you should familiarize yourself with the work being done by today's animal cognitive behavior ethologists. their work in the field and with also with mri technology has revealed animals enjoy a very rich life, one which they thoroughly enjoy, amazingly without the benefit of human arts, music, literature or any other "culture" to which you're referring.
also, your argument could be used as justification to eradicate whole swaths of impoverished humans who definitely aren't enjoying human "culture" and just exist.
04/21/09
Culture doesn't just refer to music, arts, literature but to tradition, the types of houses we live in, our rituals, our day to day habits including what we will and will not eat.
04/21/09
And a lot of fake-meat/soy products do use animal bits in them, be it eggs in Quorn products to milk-derivatives in soy milk.
04/21/09
04/21/09
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04/21/09
That said, the majority of the stupid-ass comments I've heard over the past two decades have been from meat-eaters. You think my diet is stupid? I think you're judgmental. Now stop eating the baked ziti I slaved over for four hours. And no, I don't eat chicken or fish, or anything else with a face. I will happily eat a peanut-butter sandwich, Ms. Hostess, so don't get your undies in a bunch over my rejection of your salmon. And for God's sake, stop waving that bacon in my face. I didn't like it before, and I don't like it now.
04/21/09
04/21/09
04/21/09
"Well, I tried to be vegetarian for 1 week/month/day and it wasn't for me." Were you doing it wrong? You can be vegan and eat seriously crappy food. It's really quite easy to eat a healthy, varied vegan diet, even if you have an allergy to soy/wheat/nuts (although it does make you get more creative). But, you have to be open to new ideas, and shift your grocery store compass a little.
"Animals are so tasty that we're meant to eat them." You probably liked your mother's milk at some point, too, but can't imagine eating it now. But seriously, what is the point in making a comment like this, apart from being an asshole? What are you adding to the conversation? I don't think animals are tasty. So there.
"We wouldn't have pointy teeth if we weren't meant to eat meat" We're created as omnivores, not carnivores. We can eat both meat and plants. This means we can choose what we eat. Veganism is very healthy, and you can get all the nutrients you need from plant sources (including B12 and omega 3s).
"Vegans are holier-than-thou jerks" First point: most vegan are very nice people, and don't give other people crap about what they eat. I certainly don't, and I'm also the one bringing vegan homemade cookies, cakes, etc to your omni party. Second point: yes, some of us do feel morally superior. And I obviously feel much better about my lifestyle choice (no eating or wearing animal products, vegan makeup,etc) than people who respond to the idea of veg*nism with defensive comments.
Sorry to be so snarky, but really people. We vegans hear the same shit over and over again, and I'm getting really sick of it.
I really like this website, and there are usually a lot of really intelligent/interesting comments. But damn if these threads bring out just about the worst in people.
04/21/09
04/21/09
I was vegetarian for 3 1/2 years. It wasn't for me. I got sick, constantly, despite eating a varied diet of vegetables, some dairy, nuts, legumes, tofu, and a variety of herbs and spices that were supposed to help my health problems. My immune system dipped dramatically during this time. When I started eating meat again, I got better. It took a little time, but I got much better.
Animals are really really tasty. It's not an argument against veganism to say it -- and if you remember, from the previous article, Masson said that basically the only justification he accepts for eating meat is that it tastes good.
You correctly point out that we can choose what we eat, since we have teeth that accommodate an omnivorous lifestyle. So you choose not to eat meat. Well, I choose to eat meat.
I know a number of plenty nice vegans, but at least where I come from the number of sanctimonious, holier-than-thou vegans far outweighs those who are not. I've got no beef (erm, pardon the pun?) with vegans who are happy to live their lives without telling me, as I do my shopping in the farmer's market or when I go to the vegetarian restaurant and order a dish with cheese in it, that I'm ruining the planet and destroying innocent lives because I am an EVIL SELFISH HUMAN. But a lot of them do. So excuse me if I get a little defensive as I, too, am trying to eat in peace.
Vegans get a lot of shit they shouldn't, you're right. But we also get a lot of shit from vegans that is as annoying and unprovoked as the shit you get from meateaters.
04/21/09
The internet is a messy place because you remove that face to face contact, the tone of the conversation, and the general human-ness of a person. I mean, this conversation can be messy enough in person; these added challenges are just nuts.
04/21/09
04/21/09
It's not a perfect analogy, obviously, since pro-choice =/= having abortions and a diet is something you adhere to constantly. But it's quite similar, in my mind.