this post was submitted on 28 Jul 2023
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Nobody with any sense will argue with you that veganism isn't a better and morally superior diet than meat, but trying to push this as an individual responsibility issue is doomed to failure.
It's the same problem as convincing people to change their diets to lose weight or be healthier in general - it's hard to get people to be satisfied with an entirely different diet than what they're used to and you won't guilt them into it. The vegetable-based meat alternatives that are being produced are the best possible way to wean people onto vegan diets, but the companies that are producing them care more about profiteering than trying to undercut meat costs despite the touted savings in production costs.
Seriously trying to get people onto more vegan diets should involve way less pressure on individuals and more concerted effort on eliminating government meat subsidies and holding businesses in the vegetarian/meat alternative space to account for being more concerned with profitability than their "mission".
Unless the subject is being brought up, nothing's gonna change at all. Food has become such a taboo subject that it's just not being talked about especially if it involves uncomfortable truths like animal AG.
Change doesn't happen on its own. It needs momentum, it needs people talking about it, it needs people arguing about the pros and cons. Jack's gonna change if we don't talk about it and participate in discussions and arguments.
If even one person rethinks their actions upon reading one of my comments, I'm content. But shushing people and not letting them even mention the subject at all is stupid imo. And sometimes it needs some convincing from our side to get the message across.
I'm not telling anyone what to do. I'm not guilt tripping anyone. I'm just stating facts that anyone who consumes animal products should know of. It's up to you make it happen.
Considering the state of the world and its impending doom in light of the climate catastrophe, the least we can do is go vegan. It's what takes the least amount of politics to make at least somewhat of an impact. Economies of scale, supply and demand and what not. But sure - "no pressure".
I'm not saying no pressure. I'm saying you're applying the pressure in the wrong place. You will not succeed at an individual level. You need to push for systemic change if you're serious about it. Electric car adoption isn't increasing because individuals are getting greener - economic incentives are aligning to make it a better decision. Veganism will have to follow the same path, and the longer it takes to start addressing the real things that will make a difference, the longer the problem will continue.
You want an example of effective action? Start by pushing politicians in your country to end or reduce government subsidies for meat production that artificially keep prices low. Push candidates for office to start initiatives that will build future successes, like encouraging introduction of meat alternatives in school lunches and nutritional programs so you're building an educational foundation for the future instead of relying on guilt, shame, and bullying. Pressure producers of successful vegan food products to stop relying on the willingness of the current vegan community to overpay for products and encourage them to lower prices to competitive levels as a moral imperative.
These are all things that will make a real difference in the short and long term. Arguing on the internet with individuals won't.