Originally posted by Blaine91555
reply to post by chillpill
This just means you are insensitive to other cultures and uninformed about fish.
Fish do no feel emotion or pain and lack the portions of the brain to do so. They are basically swimming machines.
You are confusing fish with Mammals I think and applying your emotions to them incorrectly.
In our Western Culture we have become detached from our own natures. Like it or not you are a Omnivore and descended from Hunter Gatherers with a
system that can not survive without things found only in animal protein.
There is no difference between a Brown Bear, a Wolf or a Big Cat starting to consume its prey while still alive and us doing the same. We have the
same right to survive as any other animal on this planet and those radicals who can not deal with that are naive beyond belief.
I'm on your side when it comes to dealing with Mammals being prepared for us to eat, but to pretend to feel sorry for an animal who can not feel is
naive at best. In fact I'm an activist when it comes to the mistreatment of pets but that is another matter entirely. Remember in the 1990's when
there was an uproar over a Lobster, which is an animal lacking even a Cerebral Cortex?
Perhaps it is the fault of schools not teaching these things, but it is likely more from people who were taught but did not pay attention.
Save your pity for suffering humans for whom a fish could be the difference between life and death. As far as this topic; its no worse than stepping
on a bug.
Blaine
Thanks for your comments - I would not deliberately step on a 'bug' either. If I kill something, it's to eat or been a mistake (it's a horrible
sound when you step on a snail in the dark when walking through the garden...makes me feel so bad!). I dont kill spiders, even though I am terrified
of them. I respect them enough to pop em in a glass and carry them outside...even though I cannot bear them.
As to my concern for humans, I also offer pretty much the same compassion to them. I actually run a reasonably large 3rd world microfinance concern
(so your comments on having no cultural sensitivity are unfounded..I also lived in Vietnam for a good few years...so I have an appreciation of the far
east...how they made crab paste in the markets was particularly interesting).
My personal positive impact on humans is probably greater than my impact will ever be on animals.
However, as I have said previously - we have a choice about how we interact with everything and everyone in the world. Mammals, fishes,
bugs...people...
You have your values - you choose to live the way you do. I can only learn from that.
I have my values and they are that I treat everything and everyone with respect.
I respect the food I eat, I respect the planet I live on, I respect those I do business with, I respect those people that my business supports.
Respect is key. Without that - all that exists is inhumanity.
In my paradigm, all animals (including bugs, fish...mammals) and humans deserve the SAME respect.
There is a cycle of life and death and rich and poor.
Some animals get eaten - respect them and give them a good life and as pain free a death as possible (and I am not advocating anaesthesia before
anyone thinks to counter me on that one).
Some people get poor, get ill, get caught up in war. Some people get dead.
Treat them with respect as a sentient being.
Simple.
There should be a little less love on this planet and a bit more respect.
[edit on 19-11-2009 by chillpill]
