Notice: Function _load_textdomain_just_in_time was called incorrectly. Translation loading for the tatsu domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home/robbiestells/thecommentist.com/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6121
Notice: Function _load_textdomain_just_in_time was called incorrectly. Translation loading for the oshin domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home/robbiestells/thecommentist.com/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6121
Notice: Function _load_textdomain_just_in_time was called incorrectly. Translation loading for the redux-framework domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home/robbiestells/thecommentist.com/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6121 vegan – The Commentist
We seem to spend so much time talking about the things we don’t like, and the things we don’t want to see in our idealized world, that we thought it was high time we devote a discussion to exploring some of the things we actually DO want to see in that future, and more importantly, actions we can take to start honoring that future right this very second. Plus, a big announcement!
With the mainstream movement placing so much emphasis on learning marketing techniques and social psychology in order to most effectively convert individuals to a plant based diet, we ask if manipulation is an inherent part of this type of activism. If it is, is that a bad thing? We’ll also talk about the difference between manipulation, persuasion, influence, and coercion, and how do they play into the struggle for justice.
Plus we talk about this absolutely bizarre marketing campaign, touting a podcast playlist purporting to use hypnotherapy to get people to stop eating meat. We’ll ask, what the hell is up with that, and why did so many outlets report on this as if it was a real thing?
We’ve got a jam packed episode today. First we talk to Jamila Alfred of the Afro Vegan Society to learn all about the upcoming National Afro-Vegan Conference Virtual Summit.
Then we are joined, once again, by lauren Ornelas, founder of the Food Empowerment Project to ask if non-profit chapters are a form of colonization. This is a topic she spoke about at the 2019 Animal Rights Conference and we were curious to pick her brain a bit more about why she came to this conclusion the implications it creates for activists. We discus why FEP decided to disband their Washington chapter as well as prohibit the formation of any new chapters. And ultimately we talk about strategies for moving forward.
This week we are taking a look at wild animal suffering. It’s a complex topic that brings up a lot of questions and mixed feelings. Is it an issue? If so, is it something that humans should attempt to intervene in? Do initiatives that end up helping predator animals (such as building bird boxes) actually create more harm than good? Are there ways we could help wild animals that wouldn’t drastically affect the ecosystem? Is maintaining an ecosystem a good justification for allowing animals to be harmed?
We’ll discuss some of the ways that humans are already intervening in wild animal suffering and some of the groups that are pushing for the rest of us to take it seriously. Ultimately we take a look at an argument making the rounds in the world of vegan youtube: in order to stay ethically consistent we must kill carnivores. It’s about to get messy!
A transcript of this episode will be available here on August 25th.
This week we are looking at a recent development in Berkeley, CA in which the city council passed a resolution that the city will start serving vegan food at public events, jails, senior centers and other city buildings after the city council approved a resolution that calls for the progressive city to cut by half its spending on animal-based products by 2024. We’ll take a look at what effects this resolution might actually have and then ask the question, can we actually force people to vegan?
This week we’ve got some a little different from our usual fare. We love to talk about process and behind the scenes decisions making, and as we approach our six year podcast anniversary it felt appropriate to team up with Jasmin Singer and Mariann Sullivan, co-hosts of Our Hen House, to talk about what it takes to keep our shows going and what motivates us to continue our shows far into the future.
OHH is celebrating their 600th episode, and has been releasing weekly episodes for nearly twice as long as we have. While our shows are vastly different in format, we’ve found the struggles of keeping long running podcasts have a lot of common ground. It’s rare for us to talk to other people who are in our shoes and this was fun opportunity to commiserate with the OHH crew about the ups and downs of co-host relationships, handling listener feedback, figuring out what should (and shouldn’t) be topics on the show and much much more!
This week we are talking about entomophagy – the practice of eating insects. As humanity searches for ways to live more sustainability on this planet, some entrepreneurs are trying to Make Bugs Happen in the United States. Over two billion humans consume insects as a standard part of their diet and 80% of the world’s countries consume insects in one form or another. Yet western consumers remain resistant, creating a huge uphill battle. We’ll ask, why are some people trying to get people to shift to eating insects, as opposed to just eating a plant based diet? If the U.S. insect market does continue to grow, what does that mean for the fate of insects? Is this something that vegans should advocate for? Would the amount of pain, suffering, and exploitation increase or decrease?
A transcript of this episode will be available here on 23rd
I’ll tell you whats up, beardos! The cicadas are back (baby!) and we’re gonna talk about those who want to eat them and the general movement to get western consumers to embrace entomophagy. But before we dive into that discussion we thought it would be good to bring back an older episode in which we break down the research behind insect sentience and what that means for the ethical vegan trying to cause the least harm. We felt this discussion will help set the table, so to speak, for next week’s discussion.
We also do some follow up on the anti-speciesist language episode to find out where the phrase “letting the cat out of the bag” really came from, among others.
This week we bring back another classic episode from the vault. Originally airing in May of 2018, this is a continuation of last week’s episode, this time we hone in on how we should assess whether or not a battle is worth engaging in. The conversation is centered around asking “are there times when it is actually more advantageous to not advocate for animals?” As well as the merits of engaging in direct action from a risk/reward standpoint.
After replaying the original episode, we reflect on what we thought we got right, what we got wrong, and what we would have changed if we were recording that episode for the first time today.
Our transcriptionist just had a baby🎉, so no transcription this week. Welcome to the world, Jack!
