Once the perceived domain of crunchy hippies, vegetarianism is much more than Birkenstock sandal-wearing hipsters who smell like patchouli. Around the world, it is the diet of many faithful sects; it sustains many top athletes; it is embraced by Hollywood and your average person alike. Dare we say it has even seen mainstream success in recent years?
While one of the Gorillamen has not eaten meat since well before the start of Men in Gorilla Suits, we have yet to discuss eating plants. So…this time around, we change that!
Here’s what we chat about:
- What is your earliest memory of the concept of not eating meat?
- Are you now, or have you ever been, a vegetarian or vegan? (If so, when and why?)
- Why do you think there’s a growth of vegetarians and vegans in the world right now?
- Vegans especially have a reputation for being pushy in their views. Do you think there’s truth to that?
- Along those lines, why do you think some people are so aggressively opposed to the idea of not eating meat – to the point they will tease plant-based eaters for their choices?
- The Burger King Impossible Whopper has received a lot of attention. What are your thoughts about mock meats?
- Why do you think there are so many different kinds of vegetarians (examples: ordinary vegetarians, vegans, people who prefer being called plant-based instead of vegan)?
- Do you think all the different ways of being a vegetarian or vegan make it hard for meat-eaters to warm to the concept?
- What role does environmentalism play in the growth of vegetarianism/veganism?
- Hell, let’s just go there: what are your feelings toward People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals?
- Legislation has been written in many states saying it’s illegal for whistleblowers to secretly film the mistreatment of livestock…and some legislators want to make referring to plant-based milks as “milk” and veggie burgers as “burgers.” What are your thoughts about all that?
- What is the future of plant-based eating?
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earliest memory: From the time I was weaned to about age 7 I was vegetarian, but didn’t know it. Then when I was around 10 (everything happened around 10). I saw the word “vegetarian.” Didn’t think much of it.
Are you vegan? when and why? YES, I went vegan years ago (I’m dyscalculic so I don’t know the timeline) because ALL THE REASONS! Especially the animals. 🙂
Why there’s a growth of vegetarians and vegans: People are becoming more aware of all the negatives of factory farming and the negatives of eating animal products. Plus we (most of us) aren’t knowingly barbarians any more. Most of us just need to dispel our culturally-conditioned cognitive dissonance.
Vegans pushy: A few are, obviously. #notallvegans 🙂 But mostly I see roid-ragey meat eaters being pushy and shovey. #notallmeateaters
some people so aggressively opposed to not eating meat: Their cognitive dissonance is cracking and they’re afraid of the realization that what they’ve been doing all their lives is immoral (financially supporting the sentient animal abuse industry). #thesearejustmyownopinions #IhopeShawnisstillmyfriend
thoughts about mock meats: I think vegan meat is awesome, but I rarely eat them. If a meat eater selects a vegan meat instead of an animal meat, that’s awesome.
Why so many different kinds of veg*ns: It’s very trendy to collect personal labels these days.
different ways of being a veg*n make it hard for meat eaters to warm to the concept: Hmm… as it’s very trendy to collect personal labels these days, I’m don’t know how animal product eaters would be confused about not eating animal products. It’s quite simple, really. Just don’t eat animal products. 🙂
What role does environmentalism play: Factory farming stats are readily available online.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals: I thought they were cool at first (I even have a framed “Certificate of Appreciation” from them on my office wall), but… I kept reading shady things about them. So I dunno.
illegal for whistleblowers to secretly film the mistreatment of livestock: Mistreating sentient animals is a crime against sentience.
plant-based milks as “milk” and veggie burgers as “burgers”: Coconut milk. Coco butter. Milk thistle. Milkweed. Milk of magnesia. Etc. Dictionary.com excerpts: Patty, “a thin, round piece of ground or minced food. Burger, “a food patty, or patty on a bun, containing ingredients other than beef.” It’s not that difficult.
future of plant-based eating: Plant-based eating IS the future! And the future is now! 🙂
Yeah, the PETA thing gets weird. On one hand, it was a PETA video hosted elsewhere that convinced me to give up dairy. But their tactics and some within the organization seem little better than tactics used by other angry groups to advance their causes.
Christopher, how did a “substantially-sized insect” hit the back of your throat?? How can I not have this happen?
It was an evening walk and I was yawning…