Is it possible to agree on things and then try to exact solutions? What does this inane babbling acheive? It will go on for 100 pages until the people involved get tired of this discussion, and move on to do the same with another.
I think vegetarians have a point in that the meat industry is a vile monstrosity of a business. Not by nature, but definitely in practice. There can definitely be improvements to the respect for the animals involved. If for nothing else than the fact that by their death, they give us life.
I also think vegetarians would have more success if they simply labelled their views as a life choice. Not some pseudo-religion, in which one must convert all "non-believers." I also see a distinct lack of respect for the plants that also need to die to give us life. It is a beautiful exchange, really. But of course, we know everything about everything, and we are the judge of what is or is not worthy of respect in death, right?
Things must die for us to live. That is reality. Whether it is plant or animals, this one gives unending respect. If one chooses to not eat animals, that is fine. However, when the same one loses all respect for the plants that also need to die, i think hypocrisy slowly seeps into the playing field. Perhaps it is only my own understanding, but if one feels they are in a position to judge what has consciousness or not (and what its ok to kill to eat, and what is not), perhaps they should contact their local science institutions as we have been trying to figure that out for a while now
There are however, things that can most certainly change in our system. At least in trying to make use of the vast amounts of waste generated by the typical western lifestyle, if nothing else (and now equaled by the chinese, if not surpassed). Using all these hormones, genetic modification, et al, can not be good for us either. When it comes down to it, this one doesnt see it as a choice between lifestyles (the omnivore, vegetarian) but as more of an indicator of the need to better integrate technology with healthy, more natural, lifestyles. I think bickering over who is "right" and who is "wrong" will lead to nothing. We should be working on solutions to the very real (and quite interesting) problems that are facing us as a society, even if only applied to this field of the food industry.
So, what are some solutions? People will never stop eating meat as a whole, because we are naturally omnivores. So, what can we do? It is said (by someone important, cant remember who
) that a society can be measured by how they treat their animals. That certainly has a ring of truth, and if
one is to draw similes between how, say, cattle are treated in the industry to how humans are treated by marketing and big corporations.. it is
frighteningly easy. One solution that might be offered is to focus on more "organic" types of farming. I must admit, the word "organic" makes this one cringe, but the meaning behind it is what is being conveyed. Returning such industries to a more local level might just be a good thing as well. By spreading the herds, it would create healthier happier animals, fortify the local industries, and create jobs. It may not even involve eating less meat. While there may be less animals involved, dependent industries (such as fast food) should take the brunt of that loss (speaking ideally, obviously). Such a thing could easily be facilitated by people choosing not to eat at those places. At the very least, it could be done less. I know some that have breakfast, lunch, and dinner from these establishments and can do nothing but cringe.. However, all that would involve actually changing and doing something. A topic which i suppose the vegetarians/vegans know by nature. The typical person has zero interest in changing anything whatsoever, so that may prove to be a difficulty.
Oh well, just thought id throw my own thoughts into the mix. This one tends to be more interested in trying to enact solutions, whereas most are much more focused on simply complaining, or arguing semantics.
