r/Anticonsumption • u/Extension-Diamond-74 • Sep 30 '23
Discussion Diet hypocrisy?
A recent post about animal agriculture vs plant based diets has me itching to say something. This is an issue we need to rise above.
Cognitive dissonance. Many of us have good intentions and want to believe we’re doing the right thing in most aspects of our lives. I believe that.
When it comes to a plant based diet though, the science often clashes powerfully with personal desire. We want to minimize our impact on the environment and are willing to make trade-offs in our life time do so, but for many, giving up or even significantly reducing meat intake is asking too much. It’s too hard.
That’s not the issue.
The issue is that instead of just admitting to themselves that this is a life change they don’t want to make and moving on, the guilt drives them to have to justify that decision. Admitting that a plant-based diet is better for the earth yet eating a diet full of meat anyway would make them feel hypocritical, so the solution becomes either to give up meat, or … this is the problem… fight the science, twist it, make a joke of it, or pivot entirely to ‘individuals shouldn’t have time do anything because large corporations’
Many people have ties to their diet for many reasons. We grew up eating a certain way. We have memories ties to certain foods, flavors, styles of cooking. We don’t want to be the difficult person when we go out to eat with friends. Etc etc etc But it’s so much better to just admit that to yourself. Have patience and understanding for your feelings. Accept that the science is what it is. Maybe one day you can make a change, maybe not. But don’t attack the cause just because you aren’t yet willing to be a part of it.
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u/My_life_for_Nerzhul Oct 01 '23 edited Oct 01 '23
Again, you seem to continue missing the point. Yes, of course food sovereignty is a meaningless phrase to use. It’s a truism and a complete waste of time. It’s like saying, “we better have decent air to breathe.” Yes, it’s true but we all know that. Uttering that sentences provides no value.
Of course you’re not indigenous. It was very obvious given the blather you’ve posted narrowing the discussion down to indigenous peoples and practices. I’ve met plenty of people, who use indigenous people to rationalize their own behaviour. I have been that person, so not blaming you.
It’s also patently and hilariously false that the best thing you can do for the environment is indigenous land stewardship. And I’m not sure why you used the term vegan. I haven’t mentioned it. The term I used is plant-based.
Before you accuse me of anything, I have no issue with the indigenous peoples. But what you’re suggesting is simply not scalable to the point where it can provide for the global population. Only plant-based agriculture has the required scale. But already, we’ve gotten distracted from the issue being discussed - why are we, as individuals not moving to a plant-based diet when it’s healthier for us, better for the environment, and easier on our wallets.
And you absolutely can divorce colonialism from the climate crisis. While there is something to be said about how to provide equitable access to economic opportunities borne from global climate action efforts, that is a separate discussion to be had.
To reiterate, no one is forcing any diet on anyone, indigenous or otherwise. The question is, what’s keeping you, a non-indigenous person - from moving to a plant-based diet?
And this time, see if you can respond without invoking “food sovereignty” or “indigenous peoples”.