It's one of many things lately that have been making me consider giving up meat. The most obvious of those things would be Moira, what with her being a vegan and all, I do get to hear rather a lot on the subject But because she is I keep a vegan kitchen at home, and only eat meat when I'm out (though I have snuck in some meat in the odd take away Chinese *innocent whistle*) but it is becoming less and less a part of my diet, and I'm getting better and better at making delicious vegan meals. I do like meat, and I am convinced that humans evolved in the way they did because of the introduction of meat into their diet (this is something she and I have rather differed on, but the evidence I've seen I find quite compelling) but it isn't something we need anymore. The things we require in our diets that we get from meat are easily acquired elsewhere these days, so why do we eat it? I think it's mostly tradition (along with a hefty slice of it being rather tasty) and in many ways I see nothing wrong with that, I don't have a big moral problem with consuming another sentient being - animals eat other animals in the wild every day, it is very much nature's way - but we don't really do it in a natural way, do we? The more I learn, and in a few cases see firsthand, about our modern farming techniques, the less appealing meat becomes. The conditions animals are kept in are often disgusting - not just on a sanitary level, but in this case also on a moral one - killing an animal for food is one thing, making it live its entire life in pain and suffering just so you can have a burger is quite another. It doesn't sit too well with me, I must say, and it has certainly been on my mind as I choose my lunch recently. I know that Ginsters pasty didn't go anywhere near any nice organic farms now, did it?
Another big reason is the environment. The world is very much hung up on CO2 emissions at the moment - not that they shouldn't be - but the world's livestock produce more greenhouse gasses than the world's cars. If we all turned vegan tomorrow it would have a greater positive impact on the environment than if all of us stopped driving tomorrow. I know my car is a necessity of my life, but meat is hardly a necessity, so I know which one I'd give up if I had to choose.
I don't have to though, but should I? I shall continue to mull, no doubt...

Anyone still reading might like to know that the lovely Moira has a set in that newfangled member review thing. It's here, in case you missed it (to be honest, I only look in that hopefuls tab when someone points me towards it because someone I know is in there, doubt I'm the only one) if you like it, do leave a comment, as it's my birthday soon and it would be nice if it coincided with SG sending her a cheque

I'll be spending that birthday in Canada I'm off to stay with Cherry for a couple of weeks. Moira left today, so I'm home alone for a week (taking 3 1/2 weeks off work seemed a little extravagant, not to mention expensive but as Moira is studying for exams at the moment and not working she gets to sneak off early) I have an OU assignment due tonight, but once that's finished I have nothing on my agenda but movies, consoles, beer, and my massive TV. It's like having an extra holiday for slackers before my proper one