Bambi Syndrome

[Matt]

Quote by: ironeagle Pet animals are either too stupid to care if they are pets or enjoy being pets, there is no epidemic of oppressed pets, it's just not a real issue anywhere. Animals are here to be eaten, to die and to be used for clothing and other necesities. It's not my fault humans are superior intellectually. We are not immune to the cycle of life, we are just more intelligent and safer because of it. I don't believe in PETA or vegitarianism, it's just an excuse for people to deny that plants are living things too, they die and suffer when they are killed to be eaten or used for clothes. They are by nature more defensless than any other life on the planet. I like my pets they like me, and I like to eat meat and have no problem with the people who killed it for me. I also wear fur coats, fur boots and rabbit fur scarfs in the winter, because it keeps me warm and doesn't fall apart, the prettyness of it is just an added benefit.

Ummm..isn't this off topic? Pets are seriously abused in North America, ever go to the humane society or a puppy mill? Sure, not as much as in China, but we don't have an excuse for it, we are wealthy enough to spay and neuter pets and enforce laws.

Plants suffer? Oh come on...

Quote by: Ken Carman Why do people who give to no one; no charity, spend so much money on pets?

Because some people like too. Do you go after parents who buy their kids a few un-needed items?

[Ken Carman]

Quote by: Matt Ummm..isn't this off topic? Pets are seriously abused in North America, ever go to the humane society or a puppy mill? Sure, not as much as in China, but we don't have an excuse for it, we are wealthy enough to spay and neuter pets and enforce laws. Plants suffer? Oh come on... Because some people like too. Do you go after parents who buy their kids a few un-needed items?

I "go after" no one, didn't I admit I do this too? It was a question and an observation. And as far as the parents... depends upon the item. If it's a Lear jet... well, I might.

In regard to the other post you commented on, I have been dealing with pet abuse for a long time; I even have had a series of collies from shelters that save them from abuse. As far as plants go, I have read studies that seem to indicate it possible, but nothing solid. From the way we understand sentience, and that's all we really have to go on really... not likely. I accept the possibility, but find it so slight I'm not going to stop eating peas or cutting down trees that might hit my house.

I think "Bambi syndrome," in its widest sense, has created problems as well as helped. I know people who think deer are cuddle-cute creatures: like any wild animal they can be quite dangerous. I known people who toss cans at bears in dumps; or let their 4 year old torment a pelican on a public dock: a kid Mom had them grab a live possum and bring the in for show and tell the other day while I set up for my show... teacher ran out of the room with possum in hand; cloth over his head so he wouldn't bite them. People get into all kinds of trouble and act real stupid when they try to relate to wild animals as if they were like they are in the movies and toons.

I also think there should enough compassion around to be concerned, and help, both animals and humans. I don't think it needs to be the either/or situation some try to shove it into.

I do know that my collie cuddles up next to me when I offer him praise or a reward like food. I have even relatives who will still "bite" no matter how supportive I am. So the reason pets sometimes get better treatment than some humans is an understandable dynamic. Always better? Tell that to the dogs and cats they abandon around here near a major highway on a regular basis; or the dogs that get stolen and tossed into a dog fight ring just to keep their champion in a fighting mood.

In the final analysis, humans can really, really, suck.

[barts]

Quote by: Aussie This is one thing i've never understood about people. Why is it that people that will blissfully carry on while millions are starving everyday, yet when one cute animal is abandoned (like thousands of people dont abandon their dogs every month) in a quite natural process, there's an national outcry and anger about the government not doing anything? Do what? Change nature??

Why are you so sure that the people who care about the whale, don't also care about starving people and are doing something to help them? Are the people who are trying to help the whale abandoning their dogs?

[Ken Carman]

Quote by: barts Why are you so sure that the people who care about the whale, don't also care about starving people and are doing something to help them? Are the people who are trying to help the whale abandoning their dogs?

Or abandoning their kids? Or not attempting to help "starving people," too?

Good point, Barts, I had sort of mentioned that myself, but I'll bet it got lost in my long ass post.

[Morality Games]

Quote by: grandpa So long as it's a story of what had happened, I have no problem with it. It does bring about an enduringly fascinating question; should we regard human life as far more important than animal life? Grandpa h.

If humans were sincere, we wouldn't, just as we wouldn't do a number of other things. For instance: the intelligence of pigs, which we butcher for unhealthy food we don't really need to survive (and could probably be healthier and happier without), equates roughly with that of three-year old humans. Most humans would complain about the systematic slaughter of toddlers and the consumption of their flesh, but don't care when a creature whose intellect and emotions function at the same level meets its end in our bellies -- all because its meat was a sweet and juicy treat.

[Aussie]

Quote by: barts Why are you so sure that the people who care about the whale, don't also care about starving people and are doing something to help them? Are the people who are trying to help the whale abandoning their dogs?

I never said they dont care, i just said there was a national outcry.

[Morality Games]

Quote by: Aussie I never said they dont care, i just said there was a national outcry.

Never underestimate the cuteness factor in measuring the reaction of a nation to events like this. Starving people are depressing, but a starving whale is horrific.

[Aussie]

Quote by: Morality Games Never underestimate the cuteness factor in measuring the reaction of a nation to events like this. Starving people are depressing, but a starving whale is horrific.

Yep exactly, hence the tag Bambi Syndrome.

[grandpa]

Quote by: Morality Games If humans were sincere, we wouldn't, just as we wouldn't do a number of other things. For instance: the intelligence of pigs, which we butcher for unhealthy food we don't really need to survive (and could probably be healthier and happier without), equates roughly with that of three-year old humans.

Most peopel don't ntoce, but plenty of animals are chattering and helping each other. But it's never quite the same as human intelligence, and many still like the taste of bacon.

Grandpa h.

[Ken Carman]

Quote by: grandpa Most peopel don't ntoce, but plenty of animals are chattering and helping each other. But it's never quite the same as human intelligence, and many still like the taste of bacon. Grandpa h.

And some animals still like the taste of human.

And some of these animals have been human, too... sad to say.

Though I have no idea, and no intent of ever, ever, ever finding out... I suspect we can be tasty too.