Jonathan
Safran Foer Webinar
On October
28th, 2014, our class was lucky enough to view a live video chat
with presenter, Jonathan Safran about his book, “Eating Animals.” I thought the
category of his webinar was rather informative with a little bit of persuasiveness.
Safran informed us with some interesting facts and views that I had never quite
thought about. Although not trying to completely change our views on weather
eating animals is right or not, he purposed questions that made my perspectives
differentiate about its ethical purposes. For example, When he mentioned how
the animals are locked in tiny cages where they barley fit, just to die for our
own consumption.
Three stand
out moments
1. Something I found interesting was
when he mentioned that mostly everyone knows the cruelty and torture animals go
through, however they don’t like to hear it, and continue eating meat. Also he says
people are ignorant to the fact and they won’t fix the problem because Americans
are known as “selfish” and will only care if it applies to them. This I find is
quite sad because as being an animal lover, I find animal torture no different
than humans being tortured.
2. The second stand out moment was when
Safran said that, “You can eat meat your whole life without being able to read
or watch about the animals affected and the issues that come along with it.” I
found this bizarre because who would not want to know what is being put into
their own body? The first concern people have is just the taste, but they don’t
even bother to know what’s inside, it could be a rat for all they care.
3. Lastly I found it interesting when he
said that children don’t make decisions for themselves like this when they’re
young. I agree with this because a person’s eating habit when they are young determines
how they will eat the rest of their lives and it’s all up to the parents. A
parent can feed their child only meat, cupcakes, and donuts, and that’s usually
how they will eat all their life. Or, a parent can feed their child healthy
with plenty of fruits and vegetables, and that will guide them throughout their
life as well. I believe it all starts with the parent’s lifestyle to pass on to
their kids.
This
presentation can relate to my life because it makes me consider now what I am putting
into my body. Previously, I have attempted to become vegetarian, only to later
give up because my mom cooks a delicious meal containing meat. However, I do watch
what meat I’m consuming, and have cut certain meats out of my diet.
Nonetheless, I think it would be hard for me to cut meat out of my diet completely.
This webinar made me especially think about animals and the cruelty they go
through because I am a giant animal lover.
