[whycome]

> When tragedy befalls an animal, we tend to be more upset about it because animals are innocent.

This never gets reconciled with the reality of factory farms and mass meat production. It’s certainly a type of cognitive dissonance. In a hundred years we might look back on the now with horror (more generalized anyway).

[SoftTalker]

Because most people don't keep cows, pigs, and chickens as pets.

People who grow up even on small, non-factory farms see these animals as products for sale or economic assets, not companions. And even the dogs and cats are likely to be utilized for work as much as companionship.

[umeshunni]

> In a hundred years we might look back on the now with horror (more generalized anyway).

You don't have to go a hundred years - most non-western societies look at western fascination with dogs and pets with horror, especially when couples with low rates of marriage, population collapse etc.

[renewiltord]

Which societies are those? It's got to be Africa, a little of the Middle East, and South East Asia alone, because East Asia, South America, even much of the Middle East is lower than replacement. By population, it's only Africa that really has this opinion.