If BCA were a major animal protection organization such as HSUS or PETA, I would mostly agree with you. But we are an all-volunteer force of around 4 dedicated members in one of the very most progressive cities in the U.S. What we should prioritize is not the building of awareness but rather the accumulation of inspiring legislative victories which will help mobilize the rest of those who are already aware of animal issues.
Rather than “run[ning] around and try[ing] to do something about every incidence of suffering [we] see”, we are prioritizing attainable, potentially replicable, key legislative victories.
Incidentally, we’ve begun to think that if we run out of such potential initiatives, we should switch focus to educating local progressive political leaders about farmed animal issues.
Fair point. You seem to be opening up the way to show what’s possible to larger organisations.
Having said that, can’t you connect these two? Can’t you one one end take practical steps to showing that real legal progress is possible while at the other end show the big picture that you’re working towards and why?
Thinking big around a shared goal could the increase cohesion and ambition of the idealistic people you’re connected with and work with on each new project from now on (this reminds me of Elon Musk’s leadership approach, who unfortunately doesn’t seem to care much about animal issues).
It is probable that lofty philosophical visions motivate and inspire people, just as you indicate.
I suppose the reason we don’t always lead with that kind of messaging is that it can scare away opponents who aren’t ready to dare challenging the “meat” industry and worry about slippery slopes. Including lawmakers whose constituents include scores of entrepreneurs who sell animal bodies as food.
If BCA were a major animal protection organization such as HSUS or PETA, I would mostly agree with you. But we are an all-volunteer force of around 4 dedicated members in one of the very most progressive cities in the U.S. What we should prioritize is not the building of awareness but rather the accumulation of inspiring legislative victories which will help mobilize the rest of those who are already aware of animal issues.
Rather than “run[ning] around and try[ing] to do something about every incidence of suffering [we] see”, we are prioritizing attainable, potentially replicable, key legislative victories.
Incidentally, we’ve begun to think that if we run out of such potential initiatives, we should switch focus to educating local progressive political leaders about farmed animal issues.
Fair point. You seem to be opening up the way to show what’s possible to larger organisations.
Having said that, can’t you connect these two? Can’t you one one end take practical steps to showing that real legal progress is possible while at the other end show the big picture that you’re working towards and why?
Thinking big around a shared goal could the increase cohesion and ambition of the idealistic people you’re connected with and work with on each new project from now on (this reminds me of Elon Musk’s leadership approach, who unfortunately doesn’t seem to care much about animal issues).
Your point is well taken. Indeed, the goal is a world where everyone’s interest is given the same weight as equivalent interests, regardless of species.
It is probable that lofty philosophical visions motivate and inspire people, just as you indicate.
I suppose the reason we don’t always lead with that kind of messaging is that it can scare away opponents who aren’t ready to dare challenging the “meat” industry and worry about slippery slopes. Including lawmakers whose constituents include scores of entrepreneurs who sell animal bodies as food.