I completely relate to this. “We are haunted by what we do to animals, but we are equally haunted by how unhaunted others are." The image in the post perfectly captures my emotions when I eat around my friends and family. I love them, but there I am sitting among people who seem totally clueless. I was clueless once, too. I wasn't born vegan and it actually took me a very long time to convert from pescatarian to vegetarian to vegan. Once I did, I felt horrified for how long it took. But I also know that others can change, as I did. It must come from all directions, though. It requires a major culture change to a culture supported heavily by government and industry.
When I became vegan about 40 years ago I couldn’t wait to tell people about the cruelty because surely they will change. Of course, that didn’t happen. Yet the word ‘vegan’ now appears on many grocery items and meat substitutes can easily (or often) be found. But right now, progress seems to be at a standstill, doesn’t it?
Functioning in a society of horrors, and interacting with people who, in your perception, are responsible for atrocities, requires quite the mental effort.
You suffer inside as you smile respectfully. Because that is more effective at turning the tide than just screaming at everyone.
As a Veterinary Social Worker and Vegan, I still cannot seem to comprehend the disconnect within my field. It seems as if it is a profession where you would likely see the most vegans, but unfortunately that is just not the case. To have so many veterinarians, staff, and animal guardians who profess their love every single day and show such deep compassion, and who work tirelessly at saving their lives while still continuing to eat other sentient animals and support the brutal inhumane industry of animal agriculture is heartbreaking. Bringing awareness to this incongruity is part of my everyday practice in that I’ve included ethical veganism consultations in my offerings to help those who are interested in aligning their heart with their values. I continue to speak on podcasts, and also teach in order to raise awareness on this topic and it is my hope to see the numbers of veganism rise within the veterinary community and among animal guardians who I know can do better and have so much more to offer all non-human animals.
Many people hold the view that the large majority of farmers do not want their animals to suffer. Transgressors are seen to be prosecuted by the authorises official organisations. The notion of 'humane slaughter".is also very prevalent. They also believe the human population requires feeding and animals are killed by predators anyway.
So the vast bulk of the population do not see the need for change, therefore would not see the need to be interested in tasty plant based options.
I don't have the answers but am pointing out the realities as I percieve them.
It is critical to also think of alternative sources of income for all that depend on animal farming and exploitation. One of the biggest change makers should be professionals in healthcare because most people wrongly believe they need to eat animal proteins to survive. Doctors should be at the front lines of changing that false belief.
Most health professionals are involved in trying to get sick people back to better health. That would usually not involve them advocating switching to a plant based diet, only a modified diet. Some health promoters on the other hand may advocate pb diets on a population level for the population health and environmental advantages.
“Let us suppose that the great empire of China, with all its myriads of inhabitants, was suddenly swallowed up by an earthquake, and let us consider how a man of humanity in Europe, who had no sort of connection with that part of the world, would be affected upon receiving intelligence of this dreadful calamity. He would, I imagine, first of all, express very strongly his sorrow for the misfortune of that unhappy people, he would make many melancholy reflections upon the precariousness of human life, and the vanity of all the labours of man, which could thus be annihilated in a moment. He would too, perhaps, if he was a man of speculation, enter into many reasonings concerning the effects which this disaster might produce upon the commerce of Europe, and the trade and business of the world in general. And when all this fine philosophy was over, when all these humane sentiments had been once fairly expressed, he would pursue his business or his pleasure, take his repose or his diversion, with the same ease and tranquillity, as if no such accident had happened. The most frivolous disaster which could befall himself would occasion a more real disturbance. If he was to lose his little finger to-morrow, he would not sleep to-night; but, provided he never saw them, he will snore with the most profound security over the ruin of a hundred millions of his brethren, and the destruction of that immense multitude seems plainly an object less interesting to him, than this paltry misfortune of his own. To prevent, therefore, this paltry misfortune to himself, would a man of humanity be willing to sacrifice the lives of a hundred millions of his brethren, provided he had never seen them? Human nature startles with horror at the thought, and the world, in its greatest depravity and corruption, never produced such a villain as could be capable of entertaining it. But what makes this difference? When our passive feelings are almost always so sordid and so selfish, how comes it that our active principles should often be so generous and so noble? When we are always so much more deeply affected by whatever concerns ourselves, than by whatever concerns other men; what is it which prompts the generous, upon all occasions, and the mean upon many, to sacrifice their own interests to the greater interests of others? It is not the soft power of humanity, it is not that feeble spark of benevolence which Nature has lighted up in the human heart, that is thus capable of counteracting the strongest impulses of self-love. It is a stronger power, a more forcible motive, which exerts itself upon such occasions. It is reason, principle, conscience, the inhabitant of the breast, the man within, the great judge and arbiter of our conduct.”
There is also the eternal paradox of the person who is completely obsessed with their dog, but who advocates for an all-meat diet. If you point out to them that cows, sheep, and other animals all feel pain, they point out that they only buy "humanely raised" meat. (This term, unfortunately, was a brilliant tactic employed by the meat industry.)
I can never understand how people can hold this absurd contradiction in their minds--e.g., this is Fifi, my poodle, so by my dominion over her, her life is sacrosanct. In other words, animals only have worth because it is conferred by a human.
Thank you for this, Tobias, and for everything you continue to do. You have expressed so much of what many of us feel so eloquently. I have often wondered if I am mad, or why those I love - and who I know to be kind and compassionate people - can continue to look the other way. I am still struggling to work out how I can effect change, if any, through my work as a doctor. I cannot argue, on an individual level, that everyone must follow a fully plant-based diet for optimum health, although I feel we have enough evidence to recommend this on a population and planetary level now. I'd like to explore the deeper impacts of denying our innate compassion, but this is not something easily done in the consulting room (and could be considered preaching, which is just not allowed). Anyway, I will continue to ponder but also know I must act. Thank you.
thank you hannah. i wish you all the best in finding some position from where you can best help. have you heard of PAN? https://pan-int.org/. They are in several countries. Not sure where you are
This is beautifully expressed - you captured this paradox, this challenge, so eloquently. And I agree that one piece of the puzzle is having more great vegan food choices available - when people see that this way of living is doable and abundant, sometimes it opens the willingness to dive deeper and learn more. As you noted, "Attitude change, in many cases, follows behavior change. That is the way we make compassion easier." As a psychologist and a vegan, I have found that to be frequently true.
This is why you're so important, Tobias.
I've read so many pieces in the past 35 years that start like this but end with that picture. You, OTOH, are looking for solutions.
As you know, it can be hard not to give in to either anger or despair. Thank you for what you do.
thank you mMatt. Back at you.
I completely relate to this. “We are haunted by what we do to animals, but we are equally haunted by how unhaunted others are." The image in the post perfectly captures my emotions when I eat around my friends and family. I love them, but there I am sitting among people who seem totally clueless. I was clueless once, too. I wasn't born vegan and it actually took me a very long time to convert from pescatarian to vegetarian to vegan. Once I did, I felt horrified for how long it took. But I also know that others can change, as I did. It must come from all directions, though. It requires a major culture change to a culture supported heavily by government and industry.
Not having been born vegan (and needing some time, like in my case) definitely helps us understand a little bit more :-)
Spot on. Thank you.
When I became vegan about 40 years ago I couldn’t wait to tell people about the cruelty because surely they will change. Of course, that didn’t happen. Yet the word ‘vegan’ now appears on many grocery items and meat substitutes can easily (or often) be found. But right now, progress seems to be at a standstill, doesn’t it?
Functioning in a society of horrors, and interacting with people who, in your perception, are responsible for atrocities, requires quite the mental effort.
You suffer inside as you smile respectfully. Because that is more effective at turning the tide than just screaming at everyone.
exactly
As a Veterinary Social Worker and Vegan, I still cannot seem to comprehend the disconnect within my field. It seems as if it is a profession where you would likely see the most vegans, but unfortunately that is just not the case. To have so many veterinarians, staff, and animal guardians who profess their love every single day and show such deep compassion, and who work tirelessly at saving their lives while still continuing to eat other sentient animals and support the brutal inhumane industry of animal agriculture is heartbreaking. Bringing awareness to this incongruity is part of my everyday practice in that I’ve included ethical veganism consultations in my offerings to help those who are interested in aligning their heart with their values. I continue to speak on podcasts, and also teach in order to raise awareness on this topic and it is my hope to see the numbers of veganism rise within the veterinary community and among animal guardians who I know can do better and have so much more to offer all non-human animals.
thanks for speaking out. i can imagine it's hard in that community. I assume you know Our Honor?
It is so difficult to live in this world seeing all the normalised suffering, especially seeing friends and family members unhaunted by the horrors.
Thank you for your continuous work to create a better world for our animal friends!
Most vegans stop due to social pressure. I can't help but wonder how much being haunted by other people's lack of concern plays into that.
Thank you for this post. It verbalized a feeling I couldn't quite unravel
Many people hold the view that the large majority of farmers do not want their animals to suffer. Transgressors are seen to be prosecuted by the authorises official organisations. The notion of 'humane slaughter".is also very prevalent. They also believe the human population requires feeding and animals are killed by predators anyway.
So the vast bulk of the population do not see the need for change, therefore would not see the need to be interested in tasty plant based options.
I don't have the answers but am pointing out the realities as I percieve them.
It is critical to also think of alternative sources of income for all that depend on animal farming and exploitation. One of the biggest change makers should be professionals in healthcare because most people wrongly believe they need to eat animal proteins to survive. Doctors should be at the front lines of changing that false belief.
Most health professionals are involved in trying to get sick people back to better health. That would usually not involve them advocating switching to a plant based diet, only a modified diet. Some health promoters on the other hand may advocate pb diets on a population level for the population health and environmental advantages.
“Let us suppose that the great empire of China, with all its myriads of inhabitants, was suddenly swallowed up by an earthquake, and let us consider how a man of humanity in Europe, who had no sort of connection with that part of the world, would be affected upon receiving intelligence of this dreadful calamity. He would, I imagine, first of all, express very strongly his sorrow for the misfortune of that unhappy people, he would make many melancholy reflections upon the precariousness of human life, and the vanity of all the labours of man, which could thus be annihilated in a moment. He would too, perhaps, if he was a man of speculation, enter into many reasonings concerning the effects which this disaster might produce upon the commerce of Europe, and the trade and business of the world in general. And when all this fine philosophy was over, when all these humane sentiments had been once fairly expressed, he would pursue his business or his pleasure, take his repose or his diversion, with the same ease and tranquillity, as if no such accident had happened. The most frivolous disaster which could befall himself would occasion a more real disturbance. If he was to lose his little finger to-morrow, he would not sleep to-night; but, provided he never saw them, he will snore with the most profound security over the ruin of a hundred millions of his brethren, and the destruction of that immense multitude seems plainly an object less interesting to him, than this paltry misfortune of his own. To prevent, therefore, this paltry misfortune to himself, would a man of humanity be willing to sacrifice the lives of a hundred millions of his brethren, provided he had never seen them? Human nature startles with horror at the thought, and the world, in its greatest depravity and corruption, never produced such a villain as could be capable of entertaining it. But what makes this difference? When our passive feelings are almost always so sordid and so selfish, how comes it that our active principles should often be so generous and so noble? When we are always so much more deeply affected by whatever concerns ourselves, than by whatever concerns other men; what is it which prompts the generous, upon all occasions, and the mean upon many, to sacrifice their own interests to the greater interests of others? It is not the soft power of humanity, it is not that feeble spark of benevolence which Nature has lighted up in the human heart, that is thus capable of counteracting the strongest impulses of self-love. It is a stronger power, a more forcible motive, which exerts itself upon such occasions. It is reason, principle, conscience, the inhabitant of the breast, the man within, the great judge and arbiter of our conduct.”
― Adam Smith, The Theory of Moral Sentiments
There is also the eternal paradox of the person who is completely obsessed with their dog, but who advocates for an all-meat diet. If you point out to them that cows, sheep, and other animals all feel pain, they point out that they only buy "humanely raised" meat. (This term, unfortunately, was a brilliant tactic employed by the meat industry.)
I can never understand how people can hold this absurd contradiction in their minds--e.g., this is Fifi, my poodle, so by my dominion over her, her life is sacrosanct. In other words, animals only have worth because it is conferred by a human.
Thank you for this, Tobias, and for everything you continue to do. You have expressed so much of what many of us feel so eloquently. I have often wondered if I am mad, or why those I love - and who I know to be kind and compassionate people - can continue to look the other way. I am still struggling to work out how I can effect change, if any, through my work as a doctor. I cannot argue, on an individual level, that everyone must follow a fully plant-based diet for optimum health, although I feel we have enough evidence to recommend this on a population and planetary level now. I'd like to explore the deeper impacts of denying our innate compassion, but this is not something easily done in the consulting room (and could be considered preaching, which is just not allowed). Anyway, I will continue to ponder but also know I must act. Thank you.
thank you hannah. i wish you all the best in finding some position from where you can best help. have you heard of PAN? https://pan-int.org/. They are in several countries. Not sure where you are
It truly IS bizarre. Thank you for helping lead the way through the madness that IS: living amongst the unhaunted.
That would be a good title for a book :-)
Thank you for this. It can be soulcrushing, but at least some people are aware and understand.
That is indeed the biggest comfort
This is beautifully expressed - you captured this paradox, this challenge, so eloquently. And I agree that one piece of the puzzle is having more great vegan food choices available - when people see that this way of living is doable and abundant, sometimes it opens the willingness to dive deeper and learn more. As you noted, "Attitude change, in many cases, follows behavior change. That is the way we make compassion easier." As a psychologist and a vegan, I have found that to be frequently true.