Animal Person

MAY 9, 2009

My self-appointed job in this blog is to think critically about how our human lives intersect with those of sentient nonhumans, in action and thought. Here's my concern: Though I think the game is disgusting and cruel, it sort of pales in comparison to what comes next for the lobsters.

Advocacy 100

Advocacy Game Slaughter Slaughtered 100

10,000 Birds

APRIL 17, 2012

As you read the below timeline and see the below images, don’t ever forget the perils that walk hand-in-hand with human greed. May 13, 2010 BP boss, Tony Hayward, labels the spill as “relatively tiny” in comparison to the ocean. May 19, 2010 Oil washes ashore on mainland Louisiana.

2010 225

2010 Louisiana 2012 2011 225

Animal Ethics

MARCH 3, 2008

The interests in nourishment and in gustatory pleasure lead man to kill and eat cattle, fish, and fowl. But enlightened public opinion in human society approves of man's carnivorous behavior. An accurate quantitative comparison of the value he gains with that which the lamb loses is really impossible.

Lamb 40

Lamb Fowl Morals Animal 40

Animal Ethics

NOVEMBER 9, 2009

The Argument from Brutalization The previous argument was based on an alleged indirect effect on human beings of not eating meat. It is argued that the killing and eating of meat indirectly tends to brutalize people. Conversely, vegetarianism, it is argued, tends to humanize people. Whether (5) is true or not is uncertain.

Vegetarian 40

Vegetarian Morals Inhumane Meat 40

10,000 Birds

MARCH 8, 2019

Likening the pursuit of love – with all its delights and misfortunes – to the equally capricious excitement of the hunt is a metaphor that has undoubtedly existed since humankind first learned to kill its food, long ago in our Stone Age past. But perhaps no other age drew this comparison as frequently and strongly as did medieval Europe.

2016 114

2016 Hunting Collecting Killing 114

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 14, 2023

Well, in comparison to many other birds, young ravens leave the nest earlier and are thus more clumsy and helpless when they are found on the ground or on low branches, all by themselves. But why are ravens thought of as negligent parents?

Germany 171

Germany Birds Hunters Owls 171

10,000 Birds

JUNE 8, 2023

One study in Korea found that 37% of injuries and deaths were caused by predation by natural enemies, another 37% (a worryingly high number) by window strikes, 10% by traffic accidents, 7% each by flooding and dehydration, and 3% by human disturbance. I wonder what Barn Swallows did before humans started building houses.

Birds 130

Birds China Research Tenant 130

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 8, 2022

As it is critically endangered (there are only about 100 left), I think it can be forgiven for killing the occasional Pale Thrush (which is listed as Least Concern). Unfortunately, Hen Harriers die disproportionally near British Grouse moors – most likely killed illegally by people hunting grouse for sports ( source ).

Birds 196

Birds Eggs Bangladesh China 196