Life is dear to all

Monday, May 05, 2014

Interdisciplinary animal studies growing

I must follow this group: UC Davis Interdisciplinary Animal studies Research Group link

Sunday, May 04, 2014

Could the singularity help us reach animal liberation and peace?

On one hand I am quite scared of the developments of artificial intelligence and the singularity. What will it mean for humans? Will AI be used for evil, war and mind control? Will it allow humans to degenerate into stupid blobs? On the other hand, perhaps it is the only possible hope for humanity, other animals and the Earth. Humans do not have a good record for promoting peace and kindness for all on this planet. The very essence of nature seems to be cruel. Think of disease and animals eating other animals. Perhaps a supreme intelligence is needed to solve our most pressing problems and manage the world so that peace, kindness and justice can truly be manifested on Earth.

Article about AI

Are we doing the best we can to help animals

Some good questions to keep asking ourselves as we try to help animals. link

This looks like a nice website too follow.

Thursday, April 24, 2014

This is an interesting perspective

Humans and our domesticated animals far out number all the wild land animals on the planet: http://xkcd.com/1338/

Friday, April 18, 2014

Face your food: A new video by Peter Dinklage and PETA

Face Your Food

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Is meat, eggs and dairy good for you?

Not necessarily. Story here

Monday, April 14, 2014

The conservation and educational value of zoos

Here's a great piece unpacking the contribution of zoos to conservation and education. ;)

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

The science of denial

Interesting journal article here

Saturday, February 01, 2014

Intelligent chickens?

Yes, very much indeed:
Scientific American
The Chicken Challenge by Carolyn Smith and Jane Johnson

Monday, January 06, 2014

Inspiring

I'm very happy to have discovered Dr. Nadia Sanger who seems to have such a strong understanding of the intersectionality of oppressions, particularly in the South African context! I'm looking forward to reading more of her work:

http://www.thoughtleader.co.za/nadiasanger/2013/01/04/love-thy-neighbour-love-thy-dog/
http://www.thoughtleader.co.za/nadiasanger/2013/05/28/ungrievable-life/
http://mg.co.za/article/2010-04-09-animals-have-feelings-too

Saturday, January 04, 2014

So much suffering

I've always worried about the immense amount of suffering inherent in nature. This talk argues we do have responsibilities to reduce suffering in nature.

We must embrace our animalhood

From the Beyond Personhood conference:

Thursday, January 02, 2014

Compassion in World Farming

While this organization doesn't seem to promote veganism (directly), it provides some seemingly great resources and information for the South African context. I will definitely check them out while I'm in SA. http://www.animal-voice.org/

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Contradiction

These days, in one moment I am brought to tears by the unexpected kindness of a stranger, and the next moment I want to weep and scream at the cold indifference of people to the suffering of animals caused by their very own actions

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Environmentalism

Environmentalism doesn't make sense and doesn't work unless you take the wellbeing of all animals into account. What are we protecting the environment for? Just human beings? This is meaningless. Human beings do pretty well in the city. How successful have environmental efforts been? Largely unsuccessful, because trying to protect some environment out there that in the long future will eventually help our children is too abstract. But if remember that this out-there environment is right now the home to billions of animals who want to live and fight to live, and live with grace and beauty, then you realise how important environmentalism is right now. If we took the lives of animals seriously we would never be in the situation we are in now at all.