Industrialized Society: The Price of Capitalism on Animals and residually People
It is no lie that the food industry is highly unethical when it comes to the production and even distribution of food. Most specifically
associated with corrupt and evil ways is the meat industry. Many books, essays, articles, and even films have been recently made and
published in an effort to confront this immoral production. The problem is that animals are seen as a barcode and not as what they truely are.
Animals are living, breathing, beings, and not much different from the domesticated cats and dogs found in many a home. There has always been
a disconnect associated with food. People constantly deny the dirty process that is food production because it seemly boosts the economy and makes
it cheaper to get food.
There is a whole concept of supply and demand and the importance of consumption. What people buy is important. If you buy fast food and unhealthy factory farmed produce and meat, than that it what will be produced. Factories are dirty places bent on making money and not on helping the consumer be healthy or making it ethical for the animals. In Mark Bittman's, The Human Cost of Animal Suffering, he discusses how cruel the process at which meat is manufactored is. Conditions are bad for animals and workers. He discusses the astounding book, Every Twelve Seconds :Industrialized Slaughter and the Politics of Sight by Timothy Pachirat. Which goes off a myth probably perpetuated by PETA, "No, 12 seconds is the frequency with which the Omaha slaughterhouse where Pachirat worked for five months killed cattle, a total of around 2,500 per day." Pachirat reflects on his experiences working in a slaughterhouse. It rivals the cruelties and mass efficencies found in The Jungle. Such efficency needs cheap labor, which is usually found in illegal immigrants. The workers are usually arrested despite years of working in such as place. (Food Inc.) Companies want to produce cheaply and fast, and many lose concern for the consumer through the greed for money.
As Food Inc, Bittman, and countless other proponents and scholars the emphasis of the consumers effect on production is astounding. People can make a difference simply by buying different products. With conscious movements regarding organic, vegan/vegetarian, and fair trade products growing in popularity; these better products are becoming mainstream. There is hope that people will overcome their addiction to meat and finally lead healthier lives. However, these kinds of
products are much more expensive than the fast food and factory farm products. As long as there are consumers and ever expanding concern one can make a difference, a couple cents more can end up saving more money through less medical bills, promote fair and kind treatment of workers, more ethical treatment
of animals, and healthier people.
associated with corrupt and evil ways is the meat industry. Many books, essays, articles, and even films have been recently made and
published in an effort to confront this immoral production. The problem is that animals are seen as a barcode and not as what they truely are.
Animals are living, breathing, beings, and not much different from the domesticated cats and dogs found in many a home. There has always been
a disconnect associated with food. People constantly deny the dirty process that is food production because it seemly boosts the economy and makes
it cheaper to get food.
There is a whole concept of supply and demand and the importance of consumption. What people buy is important. If you buy fast food and unhealthy factory farmed produce and meat, than that it what will be produced. Factories are dirty places bent on making money and not on helping the consumer be healthy or making it ethical for the animals. In Mark Bittman's, The Human Cost of Animal Suffering, he discusses how cruel the process at which meat is manufactored is. Conditions are bad for animals and workers. He discusses the astounding book, Every Twelve Seconds :Industrialized Slaughter and the Politics of Sight by Timothy Pachirat. Which goes off a myth probably perpetuated by PETA, "No, 12 seconds is the frequency with which the Omaha slaughterhouse where Pachirat worked for five months killed cattle, a total of around 2,500 per day." Pachirat reflects on his experiences working in a slaughterhouse. It rivals the cruelties and mass efficencies found in The Jungle. Such efficency needs cheap labor, which is usually found in illegal immigrants. The workers are usually arrested despite years of working in such as place. (Food Inc.) Companies want to produce cheaply and fast, and many lose concern for the consumer through the greed for money.
As Food Inc, Bittman, and countless other proponents and scholars the emphasis of the consumers effect on production is astounding. People can make a difference simply by buying different products. With conscious movements regarding organic, vegan/vegetarian, and fair trade products growing in popularity; these better products are becoming mainstream. There is hope that people will overcome their addiction to meat and finally lead healthier lives. However, these kinds of
products are much more expensive than the fast food and factory farm products. As long as there are consumers and ever expanding concern one can make a difference, a couple cents more can end up saving more money through less medical bills, promote fair and kind treatment of workers, more ethical treatment
of animals, and healthier people.
Suggested Reading....
Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer
(A pigotant look at vegetarianism, the most ethical way to eat, and opinions on food. Foer
discusses his own personal journey with food as well as his thoughts and feelings on the
stubject. A great read for those interested in further research.)
(A pigotant look at vegetarianism, the most ethical way to eat, and opinions on food. Foer
discusses his own personal journey with food as well as his thoughts and feelings on the
stubject. A great read for those interested in further research.)