Vegetarian or Not? Poll & Forum Discussion

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around dietary preferences, specifically the prevalence of vegetarianism among scientists and the categorization of different diets, including omnivorous and carnivorous diets. Participants engage in a poll regarding their eating habits, while also exploring humorous and serious takes on dietary labels.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion
  • Humorous commentary

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question the claims that many scientists are vegetarians, suggesting that most they know consume both meat and vegetables.
  • There is a humorous inquiry about the absence of a "cannibalism" option in the poll, with some suggesting it falls under the "meat eater" category.
  • One participant mentions that notable scientists, like Einstein, have embraced vegetarianism, while others challenge the validity of these claims.
  • Several participants express a preference for the term "omnivore" over "meat eater," arguing it better represents a diverse diet.
  • Humorous exchanges occur regarding what it means to eat vegetarians, with suggestions of terms like "humanitarian" and "healthy-cannibalism."
  • Some participants reflect on their personal dietary choices, with one stating they are trying a mostly vegetarian diet and noting changes in their grocery expenses.
  • There are discussions about the implications of hunting and the ethics surrounding it, with some sharing personal hunting experiences and the challenges faced.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the prevalence of vegetarianism among scientists, the categorization of diets, or the appropriateness of humor related to dietary choices. Multiple competing views remain, particularly regarding the definitions and implications of various dietary labels.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the accuracy of the poll options and the potential bias in the thread title, indicating that the discussion may not fully represent the diversity of dietary preferences.

What type of diet do you mostly follow?

  • Vegetarian (inc. lacto- [dairy] or ovo- [eggs])

    Votes: 11 16.9%
  • Pescatarian (love fish)

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Vegan

    Votes: 2 3.1%
  • Raw Vegan

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Fruitarian

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Flexitarian (I still love my meat sometimes)

    Votes: 8 12.3%
  • Meat-eater

    Votes: 41 63.1%
  • Other (please state in thread)

    Votes: 3 4.6%

  • Total voters
    65
  • #91
Evo said:
Here in the us the cattle graze and don't require much extra feed. The fields are mowed in the fall and the grass is rolled into bails of hay for feed over the winter.
Hmm... there's a geographic difference that I wasn't aware of before. Here in Alberta, the cattle are kept to graze in pastures. Simultaneously, the feed/bedding is grown in hay fields which they aren't allowed to access. (Maybe it has something to do with our shorter growing season.)
 
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  • #92
If God hadn't meant for Man to eat animals, he wouldn't have made them out of meat.

That's faith. If you prefer science, predators usually evolve to be smarter than prey. Prey survive by tactics of evasion and safety through numbers by keeping up high reproductive rates. Predators must rely on strength and superior intelligence if they don't have some major edge like venom or attack from the air.

Man is on top of the food chain because he evolved to eat everything and kill off all competition including his own species.

Foregoing the eating of meat is turning your back on the hard-won victories of countless ancestors stretching back into the beginning of biological time. It is turning your back on what makes us the humans we are- the instincts to kill and win.

Be a winner, not a loser. Grill a burger and enjoy every delicious bite. You ancestors deserve recognition, not rejection.
 
  • #93
Antiphon said:
If God hadn't meant for Man to eat animals, he wouldn't have made them out of meat... ...You ancestors deserve recognition, not rejection.

I could not agree more, other than the fact than I'm an Atheist. I have often told people who demeaned my carnivore status that my ancestors fought for millions of years to attain the top of the food chain. I'm not about to disrespect them by eating plants.
As for your first sentence, it is not something that I could ever say but wish that I could. I put it in the same category as those who say that if god meant people to fly they would have wings. The proper response from non-Atheist pilots is that if he meant us to drive we would have 4 wheels and a carbeurator. :rolleyes:
 
  • #94
Antiphon said:
If God hadn't meant for Man to eat animals, he wouldn't have made them out of meat.

That's faith. If you prefer science, predators usually evolve to be smarter than prey. Prey survive by tactics of evasion and safety through numbers by keeping up high reproductive rates. Predators must rely on strength and superior intelligence if they don't have some major edge like venom or attack from the air.

Man is on top of the food chain because he evolved to eat everything and kill off all competition including his own species.

Foregoing the eating of meat is turning your back on the hard-won victories of countless ancestors stretching back into the beginning of biological time. It is turning your back on what makes us the humans we are- the instincts to kill and win.

Be a winner, not a loser. Grill a burger and enjoy every delicious bite. You ancestors deserve recognition, not rejection.

Our ancestors also wiped their arse with their hands, shat outdoors, lived in caves...
By your above logic, you should not turn your back on your ancestors positions on these things either.
 
  • #95
Antiphon said:
Grill a burger and enjoy every delicious bite. You ancestors deserve recognition, not rejection.

So will your cardiologist and internal medicine specialist... in time...just sayin!
 
  • #96
Proton Soup said:
human population growth is the biggest part of the equation. if you can bring that to a steady state, you can alleviate quite a lot of problems.

If I recall correctly (don't have a reference to cite at the moment, maybe later), population projections show us topping out at a little over 13B. I.e maybe only one more doubling to go!
 

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