- Feb
- 13
Cruelty By Any Other Name Is Still Cruel
Posted by Michelle Sherrow at 7:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (10)
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A riveting new article in The Atlantic magazine blasts the notion that cruelty to animals is less cruel when it's disguised as "foodie-ism." "The Moral Crusade Against Foodies" examines why so many chefs and food writers abide by the misguided notion that the more suffering that goes into a meal, the better it tastes.The article draws examples from some of the newest crop of foodie writings, which brag about everything from eating ortolan (endangered songbirds fattened in dark boxes) to crowding around to watch a pig be slaughtered and claiming that the experience was "solemn" and "reverent." I have a feeling that the pig begs to differ.
The article also quotes self-proclaimed foodaholics making oh-so-compassionate statements such as, "It's quite something to go bare-handed up an animal's [butt] … Its viscera came out with an easy tug; a small palmful of livery, bloody jewels that I tossed out into the yard." Sounds delicious, right?
Don't get me wrong: As any vegetarian or vegan can tell you, we love to eat. But food should not cause suffering, no matter how many different spice rubs can be invented for it.
This post originally appeared on The PETA Files.
Posted to Family & Friends | Posted to Tags: foodies, Michelle Sherrow, The Atlantic, vegan
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Rob says...
February 13th, 2011, 12:04 pm
Ever notice how chefs, food writers and self-proclaimed foodies heavily salt, marinate, sauce, fry, coat, sugar, smoke and otherwise prep their carne dishes? That in itself speaks volumes. True foods can be eaten – deliciously – raw or with simply light prep like a drizzle of olive oil, dash of balsamic, adding herbs, light steaming or baking.
Chloe says...
February 15th, 2011, 3:58 pm
I heard in an interview on television with Gordon Ramsey, he said he'd electrocute his kids with they were vegetarians. That's so wrong! He needs to stop telling cooks how to cook and start thinking about were the food actually comes from. He forces people to cook whatever he wants, whether they are vegan/vegetarian, or allergic to it. he needs to get his priorities straight.
Laurence says...
February 18th, 2011, 8:45 pm
Someday, our times will be looked upon as barbaric. Much as we find the times of Nero & company as barbaric.
Jacob says...
February 19th, 2011, 2:43 pm
The brain is the place where pleasure signals are received, interpreted and made conscious to us. Some brains have perverse tendencies, such as sadism and "crush videos". Getting more pleasure out of foods that have been produced cruelly (although this is inherent to all animal-based foods) is an indication of a similar perversity in the individual's brain and requires professional evaluation and management.
Lois says...
February 19th, 2011, 3:29 pm
I have heard of things like this. All I want to do is run – - run – - and run again!! Of course this does not help the poor creatures being tortured. Our Creator wants us to eat to live. So many years ago I lived in the country. So many of the farmers DID NOT go along with this diabolic thought. They did things fast as they could. I honestly have to think there are some among us who really are perverse – - just like Nero, Hitler, etc. How can one be like that when one can look into their eyes?! Oh, well. . . .
Samara says...
February 19th, 2011, 4:39 pm
I didn't know there were people out there who felt like that! I bet they wouldn't think it was so great if they were the main dish!! I find that too many human beings have appalling behaviors, sick and twisted views, and lack of empathy towards animal beings! I don't even go out to eat at restaurants, and I certainly don't relish cruelty to animals for any reason! I just can't understand why there are people like this!! I just hope that one day we (as a group of animal activists) will stop all cruelty to animals! It's all so unfair…
slhoornsttra says...
February 19th, 2011, 10:37 pm
Those with no imagination or empathy jump on whatever fashion wagon there is available.
Paula says...
February 20th, 2011, 12:21 pm
new york times sunday feb.20 has comments from p.e.t.a. about the primate monkey on the front page,and remember march 20th is a world grassroots meatout.org day !
Breanna says...
February 23rd, 2011, 9:07 am
I havent eaten meat in soo long! Being a member of PETA has a hand in that for sure! Its all really getting to me. No matter how much I enjoy the taste of meat, I just cant because I imagine the horrors Ive seen on here….and plus I LOVE animals….if I could never kill one to eat, I dont deserve to eat it.
Joelle says...
March 4th, 2011, 11:53 am
I agree that someday, hopefully, we'll live by Ghandi's statement that the mark of a nation's moral progress is evidenced by how its animals are treated. By that standard, right now the vast majority of us are barbaric, cruel, and ignorant.