These are good points. It’s crazy how the faces of western veganism have been predominantly white, despite the fact that most veg culture originated outside of Europe. Very much with you on “celebrating” rather than “discovering,” and being clear about cultural roots.
I don’t know if it was clear from my original comment, but I was focusing on the perception of cultural appropriation as a risk to the reputation of the project, not cultural appropriation as an immoral act per se.
These are good points. It’s crazy how the faces of western veganism have been predominantly white, despite the fact that most veg culture originated outside of Europe. Very much with you on “celebrating” rather than “discovering,” and being clear about cultural roots.
Appreciate your feedback!
I don’t agree with this comment chain. Setting aside externalities to EA, we shouldn’t add dependencies that restrict decisions of effective founders.
I don’t find the content in the top convincing enough to pin future leaders to what I see as one perspective or worldview.
This seems especially valuable if we are supporting “hits based” projects like this one.
Imagine if somehow this got headlines like:
“Brilliant American steals secret recipes that the Chinese have hidden!”
“New popular tofu is stirring up controversy. Hear what the founder has to say!”
These might actually be brilliant ways to market this to Americans. Or maybe this might be really terrible and not the style of the leader at all.
But we should let the leader decide.
I don’t know if it was clear from my original comment, but I was focusing on the perception of cultural appropriation as a risk to the reputation of the project, not cultural appropriation as an immoral act per se.