There's also the billions of humans who, just like vegans, see needless sentient animal exploitation, harming and killing as morally wrong. Yet they remain trapped by social norm indoctrination and sometimes systemic practicalities. In a weird way, we're speaking for them too - even speaking for parts of the minds of the people who attack us.
Great point, Jamie. That's exactly what I was going to mention too. When we reframe the issues around basic animal suffering, even the moral injustice to animals, most people agree (almost) entirely - so in a sense we speak for them too. They just haven't been able yet to face up to the reality that they are an actor in, and contributor to this suffering. It's easier for the mind to play gymnastics to justify/make excuses, than to accept that something you have been doing all your life and everyone around you is doing doesn't align with your personal values (cognitive dissonance). It's a conflict between two parts of your identity. I think our mission is to gently get them to a point where their mental 'pain' of that conflict outweighs the challenges associated with changing their behaviour. This also means we need to reduce the barriers (price, taste, availability, acceptability etc). I think some good progress has been made on that front in the last 2 decades.
Thanks for sharing these resources and your perspective—I couldn’t agree more that we need to stand up for animals’ rights. Honestly, being vegan often feels like a lonely fight, but we should draw strength from knowing how valid our points are. The majority of people just don’t want to face the reality of slaughterhouses or the sheer scale of lives taken and wasted every year. We interrupt their comfort, their indulgence, and that’s unsettling for them. But that discomfort means we’re doing something right.
We have to keep pushing, keep speaking up, and build political momentum around these issues. It’s frustrating how slow the Democratic Party has been to embrace this cause, especially since they’re unlikely to lose much support from farmers who already vote Republican. I remember cringing when Kamala Harris made that forced comment about cooking bacon after Biden chose her to run. It felt fake, disconnected.
But we’re not alone. We’re a minority voice, yes, but we speak for billions of animals who have no voice. That’s powerful. Let’s not stop now.
Zoopolitics by Donaldson and Kymlicka is a must-read. They state in their introduction: "The animal rights movement remains, for all intents and purposes, a political non-starter. And, as a result, animal advocacy campaigns have largely failed in the fight against systemic animal exploitation." I could not agree more. The first two chapters of Zoopolitics are a powerful critique of the animal rights movement. I highly recommend them.
"But here is the key point: when vegans push for change, they aren’t just speaking for themselves. What critics are missing is that they represent an enormous number of beings who otherwise have no voice, no representation, and no meaningful way to express their disagreement."
That's a great answer for the "you are just a few trying to push your views" arguement.
Is it possible to share yoir article in our page?:
Beautifully put and a complex point made in a simply articulate manner. I will take your silent voice reminder with me!
I think it would be interesting also to explore the interbeing of short-term and long-term. In your example, influencing directly where a group eats has long-term impacts; financially for the restaurant, culturally for the person trying vegan food for the 'first' time, literally in that 1 less animal was slaughtered for the meal etc etc.
I feel majority is more afraid that the so called minority will become more in number and then start imposing their views in a louder and stronger ways. Hence, they want to nip in the bud to defend and protect what they think and feel is the right and acceptable way of life.
But great point about the fact that the voice is really not that of a minority.
This article made me think. Is anyone aware of consumer surveys in which people are asked if they want to be informed if a product available for purchase has been made with or is linked to animal welfare concerns? When the questions are asked in the right way, e.g. broad and not food-specific, I would hypothesize that most people would probably say yes, even if in reality they often try to escape the facts.
Such survey results could give backing to animal protection organisations and activists to raise awareness, do education campaigns and exposes, because they can point to research showing that xx% of consumers want to be informed.
There's also the billions of humans who, just like vegans, see needless sentient animal exploitation, harming and killing as morally wrong. Yet they remain trapped by social norm indoctrination and sometimes systemic practicalities. In a weird way, we're speaking for them too - even speaking for parts of the minds of the people who attack us.
Yes, interesting observation.
And also: for future generations of humans.
Great point, Jamie. That's exactly what I was going to mention too. When we reframe the issues around basic animal suffering, even the moral injustice to animals, most people agree (almost) entirely - so in a sense we speak for them too. They just haven't been able yet to face up to the reality that they are an actor in, and contributor to this suffering. It's easier for the mind to play gymnastics to justify/make excuses, than to accept that something you have been doing all your life and everyone around you is doing doesn't align with your personal values (cognitive dissonance). It's a conflict between two parts of your identity. I think our mission is to gently get them to a point where their mental 'pain' of that conflict outweighs the challenges associated with changing their behaviour. This also means we need to reduce the barriers (price, taste, availability, acceptability etc). I think some good progress has been made on that front in the last 2 decades.
Keen to hear other's thoughts on this.
Thanks for sharing these resources and your perspective—I couldn’t agree more that we need to stand up for animals’ rights. Honestly, being vegan often feels like a lonely fight, but we should draw strength from knowing how valid our points are. The majority of people just don’t want to face the reality of slaughterhouses or the sheer scale of lives taken and wasted every year. We interrupt their comfort, their indulgence, and that’s unsettling for them. But that discomfort means we’re doing something right.
We have to keep pushing, keep speaking up, and build political momentum around these issues. It’s frustrating how slow the Democratic Party has been to embrace this cause, especially since they’re unlikely to lose much support from farmers who already vote Republican. I remember cringing when Kamala Harris made that forced comment about cooking bacon after Biden chose her to run. It felt fake, disconnected.
But we’re not alone. We’re a minority voice, yes, but we speak for billions of animals who have no voice. That’s powerful. Let’s not stop now.
Zoopolitics by Donaldson and Kymlicka is a must-read. They state in their introduction: "The animal rights movement remains, for all intents and purposes, a political non-starter. And, as a result, animal advocacy campaigns have largely failed in the fight against systemic animal exploitation." I could not agree more. The first two chapters of Zoopolitics are a powerful critique of the animal rights movement. I highly recommend them.
agreed
The thing I value about Tobias is that he is more interested than being effective than being right.
Very little matters less than being right.
(Also, if you look at the billions Harvard is spending on rehabbing buildings.... :-0 )
thanks matt. don't underestimate my ego though :-)
I find this post inspiring
That was very inspiring. Thank you!! đŸŒ±
"But here is the key point: when vegans push for change, they aren’t just speaking for themselves. What critics are missing is that they represent an enormous number of beings who otherwise have no voice, no representation, and no meaningful way to express their disagreement."
That's a great answer for the "you are just a few trying to push your views" arguement.
Is it possible to share yoir article in our page?:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565901224589
Feel free to share it there :-)
Thanks!!
Beautifully put and a complex point made in a simply articulate manner. I will take your silent voice reminder with me!
I think it would be interesting also to explore the interbeing of short-term and long-term. In your example, influencing directly where a group eats has long-term impacts; financially for the restaurant, culturally for the person trying vegan food for the 'first' time, literally in that 1 less animal was slaughtered for the meal etc etc.
Great post Tobias. I love the graphic - simple, but powerful!
I feel majority is more afraid that the so called minority will become more in number and then start imposing their views in a louder and stronger ways. Hence, they want to nip in the bud to defend and protect what they think and feel is the right and acceptable way of life.
But great point about the fact that the voice is really not that of a minority.
Absolutely. Well said. Thank you for this reminder, Tobias.
Often encountered this and didn't know how to react/process it and now I do, thanks to this article. Thank you so much!
I find that as a minority voice, my comments get amplified and stand out far more in people’s minds.
This article made me think. Is anyone aware of consumer surveys in which people are asked if they want to be informed if a product available for purchase has been made with or is linked to animal welfare concerns? When the questions are asked in the right way, e.g. broad and not food-specific, I would hypothesize that most people would probably say yes, even if in reality they often try to escape the facts.
Such survey results could give backing to animal protection organisations and activists to raise awareness, do education campaigns and exposes, because they can point to research showing that xx% of consumers want to be informed.
Is there any merit to this idea?
Graphic of the month! Thanks.