In a curious instance of....sychronicity?..this post appeared over at Change.org about 6 days after my previous post. The writer referenced a study carried out at a university in England showing that meat eating appeared to be associated with the use of denial as a mechanism to reduce intrapsychic conflict. Someone once said that psychology was the area of study devoted to proving what everybody already knows. Sometimes that seems to be the case.
For something totally unrelated and interesting, go here and learn how to catch a mouse without a mousetrap and without harming the mouse.....also the mouse is nicely ready to be relocated to a more suitable living place. Finally, read about 120 beagles rescued from a laboratory situation and their apparent happy outcome. Update: here is a link to the "Digging Through the Dirt" blog with a video of the beagles and a mention of an Oklahoma connection.
There, at last, a post with only interesting or happy content.
Showing posts with label denial. Show all posts
Showing posts with label denial. Show all posts
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
Domestic vs Wild.......
Domestic rabbits are not native to the western hemisphere, they are all descended from European wild rabbits. Hence, the stories one might hear regarding domestic rabbits being released to the wild and then having offspring as a result of breeding with native American wild species of rabbit are likely untrue. I say likely because it seems to be the case that domestic and wild rabbits will have sex, but if pregnancy results..the offspring are born dead. I wouldn't rule out offspring surviving, but this probably would result in a situation similar to that of the breeding of horses with donkeys where the offspring (mules) are sterile. More information can be found here or here.
Domestic rabbits, like non-Native Americans, did not originate in North America. European humans arrived here in numbers large enough to be significant a little over 500 years ago, domestic rabbits are more recent Europeans, arriving here in the 19th century.
Therefore, the not unusual situation where a unwanted rabbit "pet" is released into the wild in the United States usually results in a short miserable life and the former "pet" becomes the victim of starvation, lack of shelter or a predator. Their often striking fur colors make them easily visible to predators.
Domestic rabbits are not adapted to living here, they have not been raised in the wild, they have not been taught how to survive by their parents and thinking they will magically acquire such skills and adaptive behaviors is almost criminally ignorant. Their European origin is one reason that domestic rabbits are so susceptible to heat-stroke. Any temperature above 85 degrees puts them at risk, hence Oklahoma summers are potentially deadly for domestic rabbits.
The mere existence of domestic rabbits exemplifies human interference with and exploitation of other animals. Rabbits were manipulated (in their choice of breeding partners) by humans so they could be eaten or for fur, or because we thought they were amusing, or pretty or interesting or useful.
The mother rabbit and her babies highlighted in the previous post are appealing and sweet and a pleasure to interact with. The fact is though, that she and her children are doomed to being dependent on humans for any sort of reasonable, comfortable (to whatever degree possible) life. The mere existence of "domesticated" (substitute human-dependent for domesticated) species of any kind exemplifies human arrogance, insensitivity and exploitation.
What is difficult to understand about the notion that a living being has a right to live her or his own life....however they might choose to live, to have sex with whomever they wish, to choose their own friends, raise their own children, live wherever they find suitable? The majority of humans would wish for autonomy in their own lives but most appear to find the idea of according such to our fellow Earthlings an astonishing thought.
It is phenomenal when you think about it, choosing to live your life in a way wherein one avoids, wherever possible, exploiting or doing violence to other living beings is considered peculiar, strange, unusual, weird. There is even a specific name for it (vegan) where there is not a specific designation (although Melanie Joy's recent book takes a stab at naming this type of living) for conducting a life where it is routine to do violence and killing and controlling of other sentient beings or to pay someone to do these things.
The incongruousness involved in someone saying they care about or "love" animals while eating a hamburger, or eggs or cheese is profound, tragic and sad. Perhaps a child could make such a statement innocently, but for most such a contradiction can be maintained only through the assiduous exercise of denial and avoidance.
Cultures are powerful vehicles for managing human thought and behavior, there can be few greater examples of that power than believing that behaving violently or paying for violence to be done is a normal, good and desirable way of living.....and that ignoring this reality makes it not exist.
The power of the propaganda and thought distortions that are foisted upon us from birth are potent and effective, I fault no one for succumbing to them (myself included), however, one of the primary responsibilities of adulthood is to give up believing in fairy tales and to begin to see the world and ourselves as it is and as we are, not as we want it to be. This, however, is difficult and scary and sometimes painful, hence, many do not progress far on the journey. The problem with not doing taking this journey is that we then condone, albeit silently, the lies, distortions, suffering and violence.
So, I absolutely and totally enjoy the presence and company of momma bunny and her babies, but, if I had the power, she would not exist....not in her current manifestation...there would be no "domestic" beings, no need for Heartland Rabbit Rescue or other shelters. Momma bunny and her children would be living their life in their own manner of choosing (in Denmark or somewhere) and would be highly unlikely to want anything to do with me or any other human.....or maybe not (see the post "It ought to be like that").
If we humans can ever grow up and quit acting like spoiled 2 year old children who believe everything revolves around us, if we can begin to interact with and respect other earthlings and our planet like we ourselves wish to be dealt with....then maybe momma rabbit or one of the children might not mind hanging out with me for a bit....until they had rabbit doings to take care of.
Domestic rabbits, like non-Native Americans, did not originate in North America. European humans arrived here in numbers large enough to be significant a little over 500 years ago, domestic rabbits are more recent Europeans, arriving here in the 19th century.
Therefore, the not unusual situation where a unwanted rabbit "pet" is released into the wild in the United States usually results in a short miserable life and the former "pet" becomes the victim of starvation, lack of shelter or a predator. Their often striking fur colors make them easily visible to predators.
Domestic rabbits are not adapted to living here, they have not been raised in the wild, they have not been taught how to survive by their parents and thinking they will magically acquire such skills and adaptive behaviors is almost criminally ignorant. Their European origin is one reason that domestic rabbits are so susceptible to heat-stroke. Any temperature above 85 degrees puts them at risk, hence Oklahoma summers are potentially deadly for domestic rabbits.
The mere existence of domestic rabbits exemplifies human interference with and exploitation of other animals. Rabbits were manipulated (in their choice of breeding partners) by humans so they could be eaten or for fur, or because we thought they were amusing, or pretty or interesting or useful.
The mother rabbit and her babies highlighted in the previous post are appealing and sweet and a pleasure to interact with. The fact is though, that she and her children are doomed to being dependent on humans for any sort of reasonable, comfortable (to whatever degree possible) life. The mere existence of "domesticated" (substitute human-dependent for domesticated) species of any kind exemplifies human arrogance, insensitivity and exploitation.
What is difficult to understand about the notion that a living being has a right to live her or his own life....however they might choose to live, to have sex with whomever they wish, to choose their own friends, raise their own children, live wherever they find suitable? The majority of humans would wish for autonomy in their own lives but most appear to find the idea of according such to our fellow Earthlings an astonishing thought.
It is phenomenal when you think about it, choosing to live your life in a way wherein one avoids, wherever possible, exploiting or doing violence to other living beings is considered peculiar, strange, unusual, weird. There is even a specific name for it (vegan) where there is not a specific designation (although Melanie Joy's recent book takes a stab at naming this type of living) for conducting a life where it is routine to do violence and killing and controlling of other sentient beings or to pay someone to do these things.
The incongruousness involved in someone saying they care about or "love" animals while eating a hamburger, or eggs or cheese is profound, tragic and sad. Perhaps a child could make such a statement innocently, but for most such a contradiction can be maintained only through the assiduous exercise of denial and avoidance.
Cultures are powerful vehicles for managing human thought and behavior, there can be few greater examples of that power than believing that behaving violently or paying for violence to be done is a normal, good and desirable way of living.....and that ignoring this reality makes it not exist.
The power of the propaganda and thought distortions that are foisted upon us from birth are potent and effective, I fault no one for succumbing to them (myself included), however, one of the primary responsibilities of adulthood is to give up believing in fairy tales and to begin to see the world and ourselves as it is and as we are, not as we want it to be. This, however, is difficult and scary and sometimes painful, hence, many do not progress far on the journey. The problem with not doing taking this journey is that we then condone, albeit silently, the lies, distortions, suffering and violence.
So, I absolutely and totally enjoy the presence and company of momma bunny and her babies, but, if I had the power, she would not exist....not in her current manifestation...there would be no "domestic" beings, no need for Heartland Rabbit Rescue or other shelters. Momma bunny and her children would be living their life in their own manner of choosing (in Denmark or somewhere) and would be highly unlikely to want anything to do with me or any other human.....or maybe not (see the post "It ought to be like that").
If we humans can ever grow up and quit acting like spoiled 2 year old children who believe everything revolves around us, if we can begin to interact with and respect other earthlings and our planet like we ourselves wish to be dealt with....then maybe momma rabbit or one of the children might not mind hanging out with me for a bit....until they had rabbit doings to take care of.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Sometimes, before sleeping......
Many nights before sleeping I think about the animals that are at that moment facing death in a slaughterhouse or about the cows standing in their own feces and breathing ammonia and dust in the feedlots. I cringe inside at what we humans are doing in pursuit of such trivialities as taste and profit.
I imagine the anguish the mother cow is feeling at the dairy, where her child has been taken from her, after she was forcibly impregnated. Her baby is taken so all the milk the mother cow produces can go into yogurt, butter, ice cream and profit. The milk was for her baby not for humans. I think about how she must feel, about how any parent feels when they cannot care for their child. The pain and misery make the ice cream not so attractive.
I sometimes think of the chickens trapped in cages, with no room to turn or spread their wings and that have been there all the day long while I was going about my life. I think about their having been there the day before, and the day before that, and the day before that, sometimes for up to 2 years. This is their whole life, then they are thrown into another cage, trucked to a slaughterhouse and brutally killed. For an omelet, for an easter egg, for a "nugget", for money.
I do this and sometimes then cannot sleep. It is not that I couldn't not do it, most of us have developed strategies to avoid thinking uncomfortable thoughts, I do it because I believe it to be respectful to do so. To be abused, oppressed, tortured and then killed is horrific but for such a thing to occur and no one to think about it and feel bad about it is.....beyond words.
My thoughts are nothing to those beings enduring the obscene treatment being forced upon them by my species but for me to not think those thoughts, for me to push them away and not allow myself to feel pained and sorrowful...........then I too would somehow be a participant in the silent animal holocaust that continues every moment of every day.
It might be that if we humans would allow ourselves to think all the thoughts and feel all the feelings associated with what we do, some of these horrors might not occur. In any event what is being done is bad enough, I must not be complicit in it by ignoring my thoughts and avoiding the feelings these disgusting activities elicit. Even if I sometimes can't sleep.
I imagine the anguish the mother cow is feeling at the dairy, where her child has been taken from her, after she was forcibly impregnated. Her baby is taken so all the milk the mother cow produces can go into yogurt, butter, ice cream and profit. The milk was for her baby not for humans. I think about how she must feel, about how any parent feels when they cannot care for their child. The pain and misery make the ice cream not so attractive.
I sometimes think of the chickens trapped in cages, with no room to turn or spread their wings and that have been there all the day long while I was going about my life. I think about their having been there the day before, and the day before that, and the day before that, sometimes for up to 2 years. This is their whole life, then they are thrown into another cage, trucked to a slaughterhouse and brutally killed. For an omelet, for an easter egg, for a "nugget", for money.
I do this and sometimes then cannot sleep. It is not that I couldn't not do it, most of us have developed strategies to avoid thinking uncomfortable thoughts, I do it because I believe it to be respectful to do so. To be abused, oppressed, tortured and then killed is horrific but for such a thing to occur and no one to think about it and feel bad about it is.....beyond words.
My thoughts are nothing to those beings enduring the obscene treatment being forced upon them by my species but for me to not think those thoughts, for me to push them away and not allow myself to feel pained and sorrowful...........then I too would somehow be a participant in the silent animal holocaust that continues every moment of every day.
It might be that if we humans would allow ourselves to think all the thoughts and feel all the feelings associated with what we do, some of these horrors might not occur. In any event what is being done is bad enough, I must not be complicit in it by ignoring my thoughts and avoiding the feelings these disgusting activities elicit. Even if I sometimes can't sleep.
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