The human species is driving itself full speed into an evolutionary dead-end. We are destroying the planet and everything we do kills animals. We have lost our moral compass. We think in terms of profit and power rather than ethics and compassion. We no longer have any reverence for life or any sense of connection with the natural world. We think we are made in the image of God and that God made everything for us. We see ourselves as conquerors of nature rather than citizens of a vast biocommunity. We are technologically sophisticated and morally retarded. We have no conception of the importance of nonhuman life forms in sustaining ecosystems. We fail to realize that what we do to the animals we do to ourselves. I believe that animal liberation is the next great liberation movement on this planet, and that by promoting respect for nonhuman animals, we are advancing human moral evolution.” Dr. Steven Best
vegan*alf*anarkism from carmen4thepets on Vimeo.
Wise words Dr. Best, Well put together video Carmen, (miss Jason)
Moral im Kapitalismus verdeckt nur die Gegensätze und hetzt die Menschen aufeinander.
Moral ist heuchlerisch. Das Grundproblem – Kapitalismus- wird so nicht thematisiert.
Beispiel; verliert ein Teil der Menschen seinen Arbeitsplatz, sagt ein Teil, dass es moralisch vertretbar ist, weil wenigstens einige den Arbeitsplatz behalten.
Wieder andere halten es für moralisch vertretbar, dass so wenigstens ein Teil der Leute weiter ausgebeutet wird.
Warum befreien sich nicht die ca. 90 % der Menschen von der Herrschaft ca.10% des Kapitals?
Erst dann wäre zu erkennen, wie perfide die Nutzung von anderen Tieren ist, dass sie Herrschaft, Ausbeutung und Unterdrückung ist.
Die Schaffung von Mehrwert und Profit in der Warengesellschaft, würde dann als wahres Ziel sichtbar werden. Dies alles hat ja gar nichts mit Bedürfnisbefriedigung zu tun, wie permanent suggeriert wird.
Nichts mit Kapitalismus und Revolution zu tun? Sie sind ok mit dem Tier Holocaust und Zerstörung der Erde für Fleisch? Hinweis an alle Marxisten, Sozialisten, Anarchisten, etc: Bitte wach the fuck up! DIES ist das 21. Jahrhundert. Speziesismus ist für Homo ERECTUS!
I must second what you say, Steve. I wish people did wake up, but they do not. I am fed up with watching all the sickening discussions about the damned Euro Rescue shield these days, and one Angela Merkel all over the place pulling every available lever to stabilise/save a system that has outlived itself (and that will, hopefully, collapse). Today N-TV writes that the German government intends to change the constitution to allow for a parafiscal charge payable by all those refusing to have offspring (in a world that suffers massively from Human overpopulation anway) – in effect, a punitive measure to force people to have chidlren. And for what? Money of course. They call it a “functioning child component in social security systems”. At the same time they want to raise the pensionable age to 72 – which most people, they hope, will not live to see anyway. With some 45-50, if you lose your job, state employment angencies will tell you that you have no hope of finding a new job. So – 50 to 72? Why don’t you go and starve yourself to death somewhere … save us the money ? O.k., fine, this is going off-topic a bit. But people in this bloody country just sit and rage at the telly at home. In the end they will accept it – as long as the government tells them it will all be o.k., it will continue the way it always has. People work Monday to Friday, produce a kid or two to make the government happy at night, and on the weekends they march off to the nearest shopping mall to get themselves the well-deseved treat. Some electronic toy from the Media market perhaps .. Materialism, Speciesm is rife, and nobody cares.
I reckon, you misunderstood what aufsässig wrote. She’s expicitly against any use of nonhuman animals for human purposes and calls it dominion, exploitation und oppression (“wie perfide die Nutzung von anderen Tieren ist, dass sie Herrschaft, Ausbeutung und Unterdrückung ist”). But I think, she has a strange view on moral saying it is problematic when used in a capitalistic system and not the solution to the problem.
Steve, would you agree that the sentence “Speciesism is for Homo erectus” is for speciesists or racists and speciesism is for matches and bolt cutters?
Sorry, I am not completely sure I have either of your points entirely clear. My referece to Homo erectus, was to say speciesist is one of the most ancient mentalities of oppression, arguably beginning with modest hunting and the invention of fire 2.5 million years ago with erectus, and that the Left really needs to get over this last major discrimination hurdle, Leftisism is Stalinism toward animals — and I say this as a leftist.
Steve, I realley appreciate what you do, say and write. But there is one thing, I would request you to think about once again: the use of the term Holocaust. People, who expoit, torture or murder animals are assholes that need to be stopped, but most of them are not Nazis. Susann Witt-Stahl wrote a good article about that topic: „Auschwitz liegt nicht am Strand von Malibu und auch nicht auf unseren Tellern“ (have a look at http://www.tierrechts-aktion-nord.de/texte/petakritik.html). Sice I know, your German is not that good, I’ll try to find a translation for you or ask Susann for one.
I know, you are aware of the fact, that there are people having problems with the Holocaust comparison. Please don’t play that down.
I constantly do, let me remind you that the word was taken from animals, and exploited by humans, and it, along with war, are the only two words I know strong enough to invoke the scale of slaughter and suffering. I have a stack of debates of this analogy, and the slavery one, and have no final position yet; I would in the future be more careful or avoid the term when speaking in Germany, say, but it does not have the same resonance here. You might just as well turn the argument around, right? and challenge people who object to using it for animals why they are so speciesist? If you have read Charles Patterson’s book, Eternal Treblinka, you know in the second half he goes into this issue in some detail, and even Jewish prisoners of war are divided over this: some instantly got the connection and never objected to the words, others were forever offended. Why do we always have to apologize to humans for representing the animals? I would never be insensitive about human suffering, but i am sick of these psecies double standards. There will be no end to this controversy, I am siding with the animals ultimately, and Ill whose what I think best and most vividly described their horror. So to be consistent,. you ought to stand up for the animals half the time at least, and challenge those who object to this word, and why they think they own it. Let’s not get into the numbers of victims game, the animals win/lose hands down. But I will never use euphemisms to described the unbelievable barbarity humans inflict on animals every day in every way.
Du findest Kapitalismus scheiße (“Das Grundproblem”), weil er unterdrückerisch und ausbeuterisch ist. So ich genauso, und zwar, weil Unterdrückung und Ausbeutung moralisch verwerflich sind. Deswegen ist Moral nicht “heuchlerisch”, sondern dringend notwendig, damit Menschen sich nicht ohne explizit bösen Willen unnötigerweise ein einem verfickten System beteiligen und damit sich nicht die Unterdrückten gegenseitig bekämpfen, sondern zusammen gegen Kapitalismus, Umweltzerstörung und Tierausbeutung kämpfen.
Zwei Fehler. Es soll heißen: “Seh ich genauso [...]” und später “[...] an einem verfickten System beteiligen [...]“
Du findest Kapitalismus scheiße (“das Grundproblem”), weil er unterdrückerisch und ausbeuterisch ist. Seh ich genauso, und zwar, weil Unterdrückung und Ausbeutung moralisch verwerflich sind. Deswegen ist Moral nicht “heuchlerisch”, sondern dringend notwendig, damit Menschen sich nicht ohne explizit bösen Willen unnötigerweise an einem verfickten System beteiligen und damit sich nicht die Unterdrückten gegenseitig bekämpfen, sondern zusammen gegen Kapitalismus, Umweltzerstörung und Tierausbeutung kämpfen.
Man könnte dies interessant finden:
“Manifest für radikalen Abolitionismus: Totale Befreiung mit allen Mitteln, die nötig sind”
http://w160132-www.php5.dittdomene.no/manifest-fuer-radikalen-abolitionismus-3
Dear Dr. Steve Best,
I second every thing that you say! I believe that the animal rights movement and veganism [hopefully combined] is the most important movement on the planet. I am proud to be a part of this movement,
And on the subject of God, and man made in *his* image (I reject religions in general) – those believing in God say animals have no souls, they are there for Human use, and animal suffering is of no consequence. This set of beliefs is part of the Catholic catechism. Besides, upon inquiry at the end of last year, the Vatikan issued a statement saying “There is no place for animals in the catholic church”. The Muslim and Jewish religious beliefs are very similar in this. Those, on the other hand, who do not believe in God, are completely free to do as they like with animals, as they need not fear any negative repercussions from that direction. So, either way animals are fucked. In addition, the general throwaway society attitudes have extended from inanimate objects to living beings – making animals, and with the blessing of religious communities and leaders, little more than a commodity to be used and thrown away; subject to any and all Human whims. Just look at all the animals ending up at NYC ACC. They are providing little more than a disposal service for a society that craves a black cat/dog today, and a red one tomorrow. But as long as this remains an accepted state of things, I don’t see it changing in any meaningful way. There’s too few of us shouting *nay* when we are surrounded by a populace that feels comfortable with the cushy system built for them and their desires. I think only a complete system collapse – economic, political, environmental – will bring people down from their mistaken belief of Human, god-given superiority over the rest of life in this planet. Sadly, man is incapapable, and unwilling, to react as long as there is still time to pull the rudder around. Personally, I don’t think we have much time left. I am not sorry for mankind, who will reap what they have sown, but for the animals who will, undeservedly, share our fate.
Ariel,
I don’t have a problem with using the word Holocaust. Steve is right. I know in this country the entire issue is sensitive; that is why a Stuttgart cout has ultimately forbidden PETA’s “Holocaust on your plate” campaign in this country. But that many people react adversely to the comparison does not mean it is invalid. By the way, Steve, the video produced from your talk in Germany last year and available on YouTube contains an error in translation. And, in my view, an intentional one. When you mention the violins being played while the Jews are dying (Geman KZs) the German subtitle replaces Jews with animals. Again, perhaps, fear of the subject – bluntly phrased, as you do it.
Very sneaky, that is indeed not what I said, but I can understand why they felt it necessary to change it, an apt analogy is how Temple Grandin builds special walkways and chutes to calm the animals in the slaughterhouse just before they get their brains blown to bits.
Well, they should really stick to the original text. People can then make up their own mind about it. To not wish to say things like this openly is a real problem in Germany. That is why Charles (Patterson) was eventually dropped by his publisher here (they were not, of course, so honest about their motivation for kicking him out when asked) , and has not been able to find a new one since. He only recently told me. I stil have 3 copies of his book (2 German, 1 English) on my shelf. But people usually politely decline my offers to lend them out. The local library has also refused a donation. Instead, the place here has recently hosted yet another “Schlachtfest” …
Oh, and by the way: there was a documentary on TV here about Temple Grandin just yesterday. It all sounded like the animals in the agribusiness never had a greater benefactor ..
Ah, give it another 200 years
The only compassion that fraud has is for money, and she is clearly a shill and tool for the “humane meat” industry. And PETA gives her awards for her great work, ahhh, I know just where her awards would look best, as ornaments wrapped around her head, as we of course lead her peacefully to the piano stylings of Mozart just before the fitting process begins.
“Ah, give it another 200 years”
But we don’t have another 200 years, as you and I both know
We’ll be lucky if we have another 12 months the way things are going at the moment. It’s difficult not be be fatalist, really. I watched the “dog slaughterhouse” video on OccupyAnimals yesterday, and can’t say I slept much as a result. And I kept wishing to myself pretty much all the night that this would stop. Now. (and please don’t think I am the naive type when I say this) But fact is this video is from the time of the Chinese Olympics – so some 4 years old. And how many dogs have been butchered like this since?? And how many more will share that same fate today, tomorrow, next week, month etc. ?
Ariel,
the functionality of the meanwhile imperialism does not look after morality.
Your aim is also mine! Nevertheless, the problem does not free itself by morality demands.
To discuss the problem here does not suit. Like me notices gives quite linguistic misunderstandings.
If a whole industry lives on bioassays, as an example, hear not on morality, they see the €, the profit. Analogously, here the gigantic mast’s arrangements, are also a strong branching out with many economic enterprises. The greater the need of the people, the less they can buy to themselves vegane food. Many are cut off by sources of information. Others work layers and do nothing else, like work, sleep and work for starvation wages. Tell those what about morality!
Nevertheless, the person is not free! If generally, only up to a certain point.
Is he to be released in the situation other animals if he himself is not free?
There is a lot in addition to discuss, but not here!
Well, look, the US Civil War in the 19th century was not fought for moral reasons in respect of blacks and hatred of slavery, but rather for political reasons of keeping the Union together and economic reasons of moving toward a more advanced, factory system, mode of production. If this get close to what you mean.
What strategies are most effective to bring the system down?
Opening gates of meat factories, fur farms, laboratories, zoos?
Spreading germs in the slaughterhouses and food factories?
Sabotaging refineries and pipelines?
Sabotaging supermarkets? (dropping lot of rotten eggs, spilling lubricants)
Sabotaging traffic by spreading lubricants and caltrops?
Bringing the economy down? (should not be to difficult now)
Developing food additives that turn out to be harmful only in a couple of years? (this is already happening on a big scale, but one could it push a little bit further)
Developing zoonotic diseases that only harm humans? (based on Creutzfeldt–Jakob for instance)
Developing computer games that are so addictive and mesmeric that gamers can’t stop and become mad and die in front of the computer screen?
Developing fungi that live in fossil fuels and destroy engines? (diesel bugs)
http://www.casa.gov.au/wcmswr/_assets/main/fsa/2005/oct/50-51.pdf
http://www.neptuneproducts.co.nz/shop/Articles/DIESEL+Fuel+bugs.html
http://www.debugamericalatina.com/bacteria-in-diesel.html
Or do we just have to be patient till the inevitable cancer pandemic will reduce human population to a sustainable level?
This comment is not meant provocative or sarcastic! I just let my associations flow.
why choose, when you can have dinner and dessert? you have devious mind and might put this into practice, i mean, science fiction form
To develop something that would taint the cow, deer, Horse, chicken meat, but would not harm the animals, but just enough that would repulse humans from wanting the flesh. had said that in vet tech class once, everyone looked at me with shock, lol…whatever, do you think planting moth eggs in fur stores is a good sci=fi book idea too?
Yes, much more original than the standard wad of gum, be sure they are genetically modified to hatch overnight
I don’t believe the word “Holocaust” belongs to one specific species. Playing with semantics is a waste of time, truthfully there are no words to describe the actions that happen everyday to animals by the hands of humans. Animals and children are the only innocents here, they are full of love when they come into this world, the emotional pain they suffer before the physical pain sets in to know they have been betrayed is far beyond comprehension, so they are definitely worthy of any man made verbiage we can use to attempt to describe the abomination of horrors inflicted on them.
Hi,
I am placing this here, because this is the subject most close to it. It does not really get any sicker. Please read:
Architect Student Proposes Matrix for Chickens – http://www.ecorazzi.com/2012/02/16/architect-student-proposes-matrix-for-chickens
Factory farmed chickens designated for dinner plates may have a very new lifestyle if an architecture student at Royal College of Art, André Ford, has his way. Ford wants to revamp the entire life of a factory-raised chicken by turning to vertical chicken farms. These Matrix-like structures would be able to raise thousands of poultry by packing 1,000 lobotomized chickens onto each ‘leaf’ of the structure.
Ford feels his idea would end the uncomfortable living conditions of factory-raised birds and meet the demands of an ever-growing demand for poultry.
He claims his idea is one of pragmatism and that it would be more widely accepted if “we stopped using the term ‘animal’ when referring to the precursor of the meat that ends up on our plates. Animals are things we keep in our homes and watch on David Attenborough programs. ‘Animals’ bred for consumption are crops and agricultural products like an other. We do not, and cannot, provide adequate welfare for these agricultural products and therefore welfare should be removed entirely.”
The structure that Ford proposes would lobotomize chickens by removing the cerebal cortex and the chickens feet, so that more could be packed on to each ‘leaf’. The structure would also provide food, water and air to the living chickens via an arterial network that would remove excreta in the same manner.
Currenly factory-raised broiler chickens are kept in cramped, close quarters and are selectively bred and genetically altered to produce bigger thighs and breasts. 6 billion chickens a year are slaughtered for the broiler chicken industry. The chickens bred in factory farms live approximately seven weeks before they are slaughtered at the ideal market weight of 3 ½ lbs.
Ford sees his idea of lobotomizing chickens and raising them in a Matrix-like structure as one that is beneficial to the industry and to the birds because it would make the bird’s already doomed existence a much easier one. His original idea was not to lobotomize the chickens but to remove the heads of the birds entirely for the sake of desensitizing the birds. However that would affect the rest of the birds body functionality in growing big enough to be purchased for someone’s dinner.
More on the same:
http://www.wired.com/underwire/tag/andre-ford/
http://www.wired.com/underwire/2012/02/headless-chicken-solution/#more-94158
http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2012-02/15/andre-ford-chicken-farming/viewgallery#!image-number=1
http://naturoids.org/category/andre-ford