[ada1981]

For me, the ethical considerations alone make it harder. It is hard work for me to do things I consider unethical on a regular basis and I'd much rather not have the cognitive load of blocking out information on a daily basis.

My personal experience was that going vegan was much easier than not, as soon as I became aware of what was going on (at around age 18). Once I realized that animals have relationships and emotional lives, it became clear to me that they weren't "food" for me.. in the same sense humans aren't food for me.

Additionally, in terms agriculture, it seems like it requires more work and inputs to create meat, so that is harder as well.

I've been vegan for over a decade and it honestly feels like it's only made my life better.

[Ensorceled]

Yeah, I get that. Farming, especially modern methods, are pretty horrific.

I've been reducing meat in my diet and eat vegetarian a couple of days a week. I try to buy ethically raised meat for other days.

What I was reacting to is the idea that it is some how not an effort to be vegan, as if it isn't any more work than stopping off at MickyD's on the way home ...

[ada1981]

I would say that for me it's not any more effort at all, anymore than preferring Pepsi to Coke might be more effort.

Also, yes to reducing intake. The idea you have to go totally vegan to make an impact probably hurts the cause.

My ultimte frisbee coach used to say he would offer to buy people vegetarian meals as an offset, so he could still eat meat.

I dealt with my concern over dating non-vegan women when I realized I'd probably save more animals by the fact they would most likely eat less meat at least sometimes by being with me.

Finally, I think some of the best work being done for animals is the work in startups making vegan meats and such.