Thanks for this, but just to be clear: - I am a huge fan of animal welfare campaigns, and my wife and I give significantly to groups working on them. - I don’t recall saying anything that could be interpreted as “we’re fighting an impossible battle.” If I did say something that could be interpreted that way, I apologize. I’ve never felt that way, so I’m surprised and disappointed that I’ve said something you interpret that way. - I am a huge fan of both activism and moral suasion, both of which have done tremendous good, and I remain deeply involved in both. - I don’t think activism and moral suasion on their own will lead to a decrease in meat consumption (progress will be outweighed by growth in per capita meat consumption + population growth), and I would be surprised if anyone on this forum disagreed with that (I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone in EA suggest otherwise).
Thanks for all you’re doing to create a compassionate world.
My apologies for using you as an example of disillusionment—I was going off a conversation I had with an acquaintance who talked with you once, and that probably led to me hearing something out of context. I will edit the article to reflect that.
I still stand by my position that it’s possible (though I don’t know how likely) for activism and moral suasion to bring about a moral revolution on their own, and the rest of the forum can fight me on that. But I also absolutely think alternative proteins are a great lever for change and that we should use everything we can to bring about the change we want to see. As Frederick Douglass said, men in earnest don’t fight with one hand when they might fight with two.
I look forward to reading your new book as well! And thank you for all the work that you’ve done; it is an inspiration to me and I’m sure to many others :)
I agree entirely with this: “we should use everything we can to bring about the change we want to see.” So yes, I am 100% in favor of activism/moral suasion focused on a moral revolution.
I’m working very hard to make that easier (by taking the cognitive dissonance of meat consumption off the table).
Thanks for this, but just to be clear:
- I am a huge fan of animal welfare campaigns, and my wife and I give significantly to groups working on them.
- I don’t recall saying anything that could be interpreted as “we’re fighting an impossible battle.” If I did say something that could be interpreted that way, I apologize. I’ve never felt that way, so I’m surprised and disappointed that I’ve said something you interpret that way.
- I am a huge fan of both activism and moral suasion, both of which have done tremendous good, and I remain deeply involved in both.
- I don’t think activism and moral suasion on their own will lead to a decrease in meat consumption (progress will be outweighed by growth in per capita meat consumption + population growth), and I would be surprised if anyone on this forum disagreed with that (I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone in EA suggest otherwise).
Thanks for all you’re doing to create a compassionate world.
Hi Bruce,
Thanks for reading my post!
My apologies for using you as an example of disillusionment—I was going off a conversation I had with an acquaintance who talked with you once, and that probably led to me hearing something out of context. I will edit the article to reflect that.
I still stand by my position that it’s possible (though I don’t know how likely) for activism and moral suasion to bring about a moral revolution on their own, and the rest of the forum can fight me on that. But I also absolutely think alternative proteins are a great lever for change and that we should use everything we can to bring about the change we want to see. As Frederick Douglass said, men in earnest don’t fight with one hand when they might fight with two.
I look forward to reading your new book as well! And thank you for all the work that you’ve done; it is an inspiration to me and I’m sure to many others :)
Thank you very much for your kind reply.
I agree entirely with this: “we should use everything we can to bring about the change we want to see.” So yes, I am 100% in favor of activism/moral suasion focused on a moral revolution.
I’m working very hard to make that easier (by taking the cognitive dissonance of meat consumption off the table).
This review of the book tackles the question we’re discussing head on: https://www.facebook.com/tracey.n.glover/posts/pfbid022kRFtjm2CnsLEhz3WZK1vAHUkHPdGXoAfStgha23VgYdpJzQTdQxUabJ92ApspoMl?comment_id=1631160018025772&reply_comment_id=1418693136049003
btw, this does not appear to be updated?
Argh sorry again; I thought I’d pressed the publish changes button. Hopefully now it’s updated!