Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat

Okay, so back to blogging! I have been reading multiple books at the same time...trying to fit a lot of information into my brain. When you find new information, and a spark is ignited in you, you just want to learn everything you can about that subject. So, I’ve been busy reading books about veganism, animal rights, cooking, medical papers and personal stories.

The book I want to blog about today is called “Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat”, by Hal Herzog. Now, this isn’t a book about becoming vegetarian, and the author didn’t write this book to promote it. He writes about why we think about animals the way we do. He delves into the psychological reasons on why we scream when we see a snake, why our hearts melt when we see a baby puppy and why we eat some animals and not others.

“The only consistency in the way humans think about animals is inconsistency”. This is the statement Hal Herzog concentrates on with this book.
There are so many poignant parts of this book that I can’t possibly quote them all, or I’d be quoting half of the book. But, I do want to share with you some of the statements or ideas that really stood out to me. When I read books, I actually highlight or underline important paragraphs so I can go back to them later. This is why I am buying more books now than ever before (I can’t really damage a library book now can I?)

Let’s talk about cute animals. It is scientifically proven that we are more willing to donate money or save animals that have larger eyes. As humans, we are drawn to animals that have the same appearance as a human baby. We react to the cute response. Did you know that Walt Disney wanted Bambi to be as accurately drawn to a real deer as possible? But, the public did not sympathize with Bambi until the animators altered the deer to have a smaller snout, larger head and big eyes. We see the same changes in Mickey Mouse throughout the years. His head grows half the size of his body and his eyes nearly double.
When you hear the name of an animal you identify something with it. We think animals are good if they are furry or bad if they’re slimy. Our mind reacts differently to various words. It’s easier for us to eat a pound of beef instead of a pound of cow. How about eating veal instead of calf flesh? Or pork instead of pig flesh?

What if we called aquariums aqua-prisons or zoo animals inmates? Would that make us sympathize to these creatures more readily? It’s interesting to read about what our minds automatically interpret as acceptable or not. Maybe we’re making it easier on ourselves, so we don’t have to face these issues directly.

This book also touches on the downfall of breeding dogs, and why we lean towards certain breeds more than others. It also talks about the way females and males react to animals, and which one is more likely to commit animal abuse. This author also does a section on cock-fighting with roosters and experimenting on mice.

Near the end of the novel, he finally writes about becoming vegetarian. Some of the information is very contradicting. He explains that meat is bad for you, and that animals suffer...but then talks about why a vegetarian diet can be unhealthy for you, and why so many people go back to eating meat. There’s a lot of talk about “humans eat meat, we always have”. Of course a vegetarian diet can be unhealthy for some people, if they don’t do it correctly. Some people do not get all of the nutrients they need because it takes more work to do so. And, yes it is hard, but anything worth something isn’t easy.

The author also goes into the life and choices of animal activists. It was so interesting to read about animal sanctuaries and other people’s goals and beliefs. Some say that their relationships with other people end because of their different values pertaining to animals. I am so glad that I have such true friends and that they will support me in whatever I do. I don’t eat meat, and that’s fine with them.

Again, I’ll just say that this author is not a vegetarian and does not promote the diet. But, this book is more about why we choose or act the way that we do. I did find this book interesting, because I have always found the human mind so intricate. It will make you question your own beliefs as you look deeper into the ethics of animals.
“How can 60% of Americans believe simultaneously that animals have the right to live and that people have the right to eat them?” -Hal Herzog
The way humans think about animals is inconsistent…period.