Friday, December 25, 2015

First, Do No Harm. Second, Cut Down on Waste

Obviously, a lot of people aren't going to take the time to read through the full Numbers post. I'm regularly asked for simple bullet points, so here goes:

1. Do no harm. The biggest dietary change people make is replacing eating mammals with eating birds. Don't do any activism that could possibly support this trend, which causes so much more suffering.

2. Avoid recidivism. The vast vast majority of people who go veg go back to eating animals, meaning the vast vast majority of most veg activism is wasted. Avoid activism that encourages people to take unsustainable steps.

Thanks to everyone who has supported advocacy based on these principles!


  1. I think characterizing recidivism as wasted is a bit too strong. If someone goes veg*n for a period of time, then they do contribute to a reduction in animal suffering for at least a period of time.

    Obviously, we'd prefer that they stick with their decision, but there's still a non-zero impact.

    1. Thanks, Dave. I would actually go more the other way, given the harm former vegetarians to in telling all their friends and family, "Oh, I was vegetarian, but wasn't healthy" (etc.). As Ginny Messina points out, the way to fame and fortune is to be a former vegan!
      Hope all is going great for you in MN!