sjefSat, May 10, 2008 I think it's important to respect animals, but only at the same level I try to respect anything living, ie it shouldn't be killed if it doesn't need to be. If I'm hungry though, something lower on the food chain is gonna die. When it does, I hope it has a quick death and that as little as possible goes to waste, but that's about the full extent of my caring. When that vat grown meat has been proven safe and they can engineer it to taste as good as premium grass-fed cattle I'll switch to that.
Pets are a different story. I don't think it's respect so much as that instead of being useful or tasty, some animals are cute and entertaining. You care for an inferior being, and it provides you with amusement or companionship in return.
If I really respect an animal, it's probably because it can kill or seriously injure me (not that I hang out around any of those much). I respect that and will generally stay the hell away from them.
I think it's important to respect animals, but only at the same level I try to respect anything living, ie it shouldn't be killed if it doesn't need to be. If I'm hungry though, something lower on the food chain is gonna die. When it does, I hope it has a quick death and that as little as possible goes to waste, but that's about the full extent of my caring. When that vat grown meat has been proven safe and they can engineer it to taste as good as premium grass-fed cattle I'll switch to that.
Pets are a different story. I don't think it's respect so much as that instead of being useful or tasty, some animals are cute and entertaining. You care for an inferior being, and it provides you with amusement or companionship in return.
If I really respect an animal, it's probably because it can kill or seriously injure me (not that I hang out around any of those much). I respect that and will generally stay the hell away from them.