Re: Extropians and animal rights

Brian D Williams (talon57@well.com)
Mon, 11 Jan 1999 13:23:51 -0800 (PST)

From: "Michael S. Lorrey" <retroman@together.net>

>It will be interesting to see if, in our desperation to fill every
>natural niche, we use our technology to develop humans that
>photosynthesize. If so, I imagine that as more of the population
>shifts to such a lifestyle, there will be increasing calls to
>outlaw the eating of plants by vegans, they will argue that
>it is immoral to prey upon innocent plants (who can feel pain, as
>even current science has shown, are territorial, and defend
>themselves with poisons, both as irritants and toxic pesticides)
>with arguments like: "This type of predation is so foreign to me
>that I am deeply saddened by this type of activity and
>represents a sub-human psychology in killing life just for fun."

I'm reminded of a story Ted Nugent like's to tell:

Ted and the members of Damm Yankee's were staying at Ted's place in central Michigan. Ted invited the boy's to go out hunting with him.

Tommy Shaw gently pointed out to Ted that he was a vegetarian...

"Hey no problem Tommy !!" replies Ted "We'll just go out back and whack some cabbages !!!" (makes bow drawing motion) "Quick, get it before it jumps!! "

Actually I like the symbiosis idea....economical, efficient.

"If God didn't want us eating animals, why did he make them out of meat...." anonymous 5 year old.

Brian
Member, Extropy Institute
www.extropy.org