| edit: i dont mean any of this to be combative or insulting, figured i would throw this in at the top in case someone doesnt make it to the end thinking i am trying to attack their ideology, just trying to get feedback on an argument i read long ago what do you think about the argument that by removing yourself from the market of meat entirely, you do nothing to promote better lives for livestock. By abstaining from meat, you do nothing to push the meat industry towards more sustainable and compassionate treatment of animals. You, being someone who is conscious of these abuses are in a position to push for change, but instead you remove yourself from the market entirely. Ultimately, isnt refusing to vote with your wallet worse than voting for compassionate and sustainable production of livestock? Wouldnt eating lab grown meat do more to end the suffering of these animals than not eating meat at all? since it would push an entire industry toward your preference of eating only that which was produced to your standards. would the entire population of vegetarians and vegans combined buying only the most sustainable and compassionately raised meats be enough to effect the processes of major producers? Would this be a greater good than not eating meat at all? of course, this likely doesnt effect the decision on a personal level, but at scale does veganism help or hurt the progress towards more sustainably and compassionately raised livestock? (though of course if that scale were to include everyone, it would be no longer an issue i suppose) of course this moreso assumes your overall goal is to reduce the suffering of these animals, or the suffering of all things as much as you possibly can- if your goal is to instead reduce the amount of suffering you directly cause, then this argument is meaningless. I'm honestly asking this, as its the only argument that i have found that sounds reasonable against becoming vegan, im not really trying to start a debate, i dont really have more to say than this, but its an argument that stuck with me the first time i read it and i very rarely have a chance to have a level headed discussion about such a topic (reddit isnt really the place for level headed discussion, and i am not aware of a nutrition or dietary equivalent to hackernews) |