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Foer is a foe of veganism
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Jonathan Safran Foer thinks veganism is too hard.
Unless you've been under a rock for the past couple of months, you've probably heard of Jonathan Safran Foer and his latest book, Eating Animals. In the flurry of media appearances and interviews he has been doing around the country, Foer clearly takes an ethical position against meat. Foer is an outward proponent of vegetarianism.
What is most perplexing about Foer, is that he will simply not accept veganism as the solution to the problem. It's utterly baffling that a person who wrote an entire book on the moral issues surrounding the consumption of animals, completely failed to recognize the only logical solution. If we object to the commodification of animals, we can simply choose to avoid using animals by adopting a vegan lifestyle.
Being a vegan has never been easier. In fact, the only people you will ever hear state that being vegan is hard, are those who aren't vegan. In a recent interview with The Young and Hungry, Foer states, "Veganism is hard. It separates you from a lot of social occasions."
Let's be clear that it is no more difficult to be vegan than it is to adopt any change in lifestyle. Sure, there's a learning curve at first, but after a few weeks it becomes a way of life. It becomes something you don't even need to think about. So, why is Foer telling people how hard it is?
In another recent stop on his book tour, an audience member asked Foer for his thoughts on veganism. He said that he thought everyone should be a vegetarian, but that veganism was too radical and extreme for most people. Why does Foer make this distinction between animal flesh and other animal products?
As Foer must know from his research on the subject, anyone who claims that dairy and egg products do not cause suffering and death is dead wrong. Dairy cows are continually impregnated and have their male babies taken away to be sold as veal. This is just so we can steal their milk. Did Foer forget about the immense suffering egg-laying hens endure and how unprofitable male chicks are to the industry causing them to be ground alive or suffocated?
What is Foer's goal exactly? Does he wish to end the exploitation of animals? Clearly not. Many animal advocates are applauding Foer for "raising awareness," but what's the point of raising awareness if you're not going to offer a solution? If we are to take Foer's words and assume that it is unethical to consume animal flesh, then why should we assume that it is somehow ethical to commodify animals for their secretions?
Either Foer is grossly confused, or there is something going on behind the scenes that is keeping him from speaking out on the issue. Sure, it's great that he's "raising awareness," but isn't he confusing people even further by making the point that it's acceptable to consume one type of animal product and not another?
Foer, if you're reading this, maybe you might interested in a vegan starter guide?
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