If You’re Going to Eat Meat, At Least Know What Goes On To Make it Happen

By Daniel Miessler on September 2nd, 2009: Tagged as Society

Chicken

Beef

So, two things here:

  1. Raising awareness: did you know this type of practice takes place so that you can eat cheese, eggs, chicken, and beef?
  2. Behavior considerations: now that you do know, what are you going to do about it?

My answers to these questions are both honest and reprehensibly inadequate. First, I will continue to eat these products, because I like them.

I would, however, happily support legislation that required humane treatment of these animals. I fully accept that this would lead to considerably higher prices for these products, and I would happily pay those prices. So, if brands of these products were made available that were “humane” in much the same way as there are currently “organic” options, I would purchase them despite the higher cost.

But ultimately this is a moral failure on my part, as I am willing to continue eating standard products until this happens, and I won’t be spending much energy to bring it about. I can, however, take a small bit of satisfaction in at least knowing that my consciousness is raised, that I know I’m in the wrong, and that if a solution presents itself I will participate.

What about you?

  • http://maxolasersquad.com/ Maxolasersquad

    Meat production is one of the largest contributers to global warming, and is also one of the largest contributers to world hunger. About a year ago when the increase in corn for fuel caused massive foot shortages my wife and I decided to drastically reduce our meat consumption. We've been pretty successful. Yesterday I spent about $150 at Publix and the only meat I purchased was 1.5 lbs of hamburger meat. There was also milk and cheese in there. Some days I eat purely vegan. However, ribs, chili cheese dogs, and pork rinds keep me from going vegetarian.
    You should watch Food Inc if you get a chance. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_Inc
    Oh, and we've been buying organic milk, farm raised eggs, etc. wherever we can.

  • Jon Robinson

    Why do you need legislation to start eating humanely raised meat? That's what I do. I order grassfed beef from any number of ranches (they ship it to you in dry ice) and buy free range chickens and eggs. In CA, we can still buy raw milk from local dairies at the store. These cows never have to stand in their own shit on concrete getting milked while being fed corn and soy products that make them sick. Grass only, milked out in the pasture with custom built machinery. I still eat out but 90%+ of our meat is raised humanely. I don't pay as much as you might think.

  • http://danielmiessler.com/ Daniel Miessler

    One more reason to live in California, I'd say. I've been without these options for quite some time.

  • Brian Weaver

    The first third of the first video was deeply disturbing.. I couldn't watch more. It didn't surprise me at all, though.. I have a pretty clear idea of what goes on in animal processing facilities. I personally can't give up meat either, but I only buy organic milk and organic cage-free eggs. I can only hope that that means the animals are more humanely treated, but from what I've heard about large scale organic farms, that seems unlikely.

    I have to agree that some form of regulation is probably necessary in order to change people's behavior. Most people don't know how bad it is.. and some who do are too lazy to seek other options.

  • Tv

    Check out their tiered state income tax and budget deficit. :)

  • Tv

    I would say this is typical big business and can be witnessed across many industries. Obviously doesn't occur everywhere.

    TheManilan arguement for this is the price and accessibility. I think we know the arguement against.


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