I have recently taken up farming as an avocation, and for the first time I've had to participate in killing animals such as cows and chickens. And I find it ethically and emotionally troubling. It is easy for me to believe that these friendly, gentle animals (who are our pets as much as they are livestock) are sentient beings with feelings, hopes and dreams.
There is a fairly obvious gradient, actually. The cows seem much more sentient than the chickens, but also much less than human.
Insects are further down on this slippery slope. They have very small nervous systems. For some they are so simple that each and every neuron can be enumerated. I don't believe they have emotions or plans, though they may have highly developed instincts. I honestly don't feel much of a dilemma about killing flies or mosquitoes. And even less about parsley.
I believe there's good evidence that human beings require omega-three and other essential fats that only occur in animal sources, including bugs. So although I do eat animals, and I believe it's necessary for my health, I do it with some sense of ambivalence. I would like to meet my requirements while causing as little suffering as possible.
So if I can overcome my cultural revulsion, I might be a candidate to become a bug-eater. But probably only if I'm really hungry.
Actually do not be so sure about that. There is now good evidence plants communicate though chemical signals. Mother trees actually will send nutrients to it's seedlings, and related plants seem to help each other. I think there is a lot more going on in the plant world than we understand.
Not a comment on the ethics side of any of this, but I remember a short story I read years ago by the writer who penned the story that Hitchcock made into his classic movie, Psycho. Robert Bloch is the writer’s name. It was about this scientist who developed a way to hear plants communicate, as he believed they were sentient. He ended up going mad as he was unable to stop hearing them. Grass screaming as it was mowed, vegetables howling as they were plucked out of the earth. It was a gruesome read obviously, as I recall it to this day.
Watch Oscar winning actress Nicole Kidman eat a 4-course dinner of blue hornworms, mealworms, crickets, and then grasshoppers for dessert. Link to 1-minute video clip:
I have never eaten any bugs myself. So as a matter of personal experience, I haven't a clue.
But this thread raises a lot of interesting questions for me. And, I have the feeling that people aren't taking a completely objective, scientific view of the question.
The video clip says that two billion people around the world eat bugs, which are commonly served in many parts of the world. I've read this elsewhere as well, and I understand it's much more prevalent in the more poverty stricken parts of the planet, such as India and Africa. But, according to Wikipedia, insects are popular even in Australia and New Zealand. The allegedly instinctive revulsion to "entomophagy" is largely unique to North America and Europe (excluding France, of course.)
So is it possible that the sense of horror we experience at the thought of chowing down a plate of blue hornworms, is purely a cultural thing? That we feel this way because of an accident of birth? Or are we claiming that cause and effect runs the other way, that Indians and Africans and the French are the inferior beings that they are, because they eat bugs?
Or is it that they eat bugs because they're too poor to eat filet mignon, and Haagen Dazs ice cream?
What are we to make of Nicole Kidman? Are we saying that she's really just as disgusted by these bugs as we are? And that they needed to recruit such a great actress to make this film, because any lesser personality would surely be unable to hide their distress?
Or is the argument that Nicole Kidman is herself one of the lizard people that rule the planet, and that's why she likes grasshoppers?
Scientifically speaking, does anyone actually know of any research about the nutritional quality of these meals?
Eating living, wiggling bugs could be dangerous to one's health if the live bugs contain parasites, bacteria, or an unknown, as-yet-undiscovered virus that could "jump" from worms into humans by ingestion ... Her facial expressions did not convince me that she really liked eating the critters. ... also, the video could have been faked (like the Apollo moon landings were) ...
LOL!! The problem with parasites, bacteria or viruses is also a potential issue with sushi, steak tatare, or eggs cooked over easy. Yet these are considered gourmet foods. I personally wouldn't touch any of these, not even if I had a personal chef to be my food taster.
(As an aside: how much should a person expect to be paid, to be the king's food taster?)
The film showed Kidman daintily yet enthusiastically eating one little bug at a time, with chopsticks. Then it was on to the next plate. It would have taken her hours to eat those entire plates, one bug at a time! I'd like to know, did she take up a fork or spoon and chow down the plates enthusiastically, after savoring the taste? If so I would've liked to see it. Did she really have all afternoon to spend eating one bug at a time? Or did she leave those big plates to go out to the chickens?
I'm not saying that the whole scenario isn't bizarre.
My guess is that just like in commercials when they show you how big and loaded say a quarter pounder with cheese is, your experience when you open the package at home is that it looks nothing like the commercial, because all the stuff in the commercial was not actual food, but faked props for a commercial shoot, to subliminally get you to agree it is delicious and you want it.
Same with Nicole. It may look like a bug she’s eating, but it is not. She’s shooting a commercial to psyop the watchers, like the good little sock puppet she is.
Also possible she might be a true believer in this, as she grew up abused and no doubt is messed up the head.
Agree! Everyone should be free to chose. It wasn’t always thus (and still is in many poorer parts of the world). A return to feudalism, where we take what is given and grovel before the masters table, is what looming if we don’t repel the overlords.
Personally, I love beets! One of my favorite veggies.
All I can say is “you first”. All you pushers of this lovely new cuisine, I want you to eat this first. For real. Show me that bugs don’t stick to your teeth.
When the show on National Geographic featuring Mick Dodge showed him choosing to eat bugs, I had no issues with it. There was one episode where he went to great lengths to enjoy a fastfood burger. I also had no issues with it. I would not choose either meal but I do support food choice options. If people choose to eat this stuff, why not?
At this point, it is a choice. The push toward bug-food is popping up everywhere though, necessary to get people used to the idea. Then comes the day when there's no meat or protein available, and we'll be nice and primed to consume this stuff. And if you don't believe me, check out WEF's website.
A special variety that’s undergone genetic enhancement to create bipedal locomotion; capable of philandering among the neighborhood backyard gardens and spoiling the whole lot.
When I saw that word...Diaperinus...I immediately jumped to "diaper anus"....then "Where are these worms coming from?". Then UGH! Oh just forget it all. 🤢
The idea of this crap as food is so ridiculous. That is exactly what I read too. Yet, people will eat it. They will certainly try it, even if only on a dare or lark.
This is a colossal IQ test that a large portion of humanity is likely to fail. If we fail, they won’t rest until we accept Soylent green. There is already an increased chatter about cannibalism.
I’ve seen those. Often under the guise of lab made “human meat” generated from just a few cells. “What’s the big deal?” is the theme of most of the articles about that idea.
I see a hunger strike in my future when I’m thrown in prison for the crime of raising actual livestock and poultry for my family. I mean, prison would be bad enough but insect gruel will be the final straw! By the way, did you know Canadian taxpayers just pitched in $8 million for a bug farm venture?
They tried to give samples away of veggie burger at costco, people were refusing in droves. The server was laughing.
Cause nasty. Those processed goobers are not better for you than a tbone. Bullshit on that
So do the plants and murdered varmint animals under plowed fields you so morally try to ignore.
I have recently taken up farming as an avocation, and for the first time I've had to participate in killing animals such as cows and chickens. And I find it ethically and emotionally troubling. It is easy for me to believe that these friendly, gentle animals (who are our pets as much as they are livestock) are sentient beings with feelings, hopes and dreams.
There is a fairly obvious gradient, actually. The cows seem much more sentient than the chickens, but also much less than human.
Insects are further down on this slippery slope. They have very small nervous systems. For some they are so simple that each and every neuron can be enumerated. I don't believe they have emotions or plans, though they may have highly developed instincts. I honestly don't feel much of a dilemma about killing flies or mosquitoes. And even less about parsley.
I believe there's good evidence that human beings require omega-three and other essential fats that only occur in animal sources, including bugs. So although I do eat animals, and I believe it's necessary for my health, I do it with some sense of ambivalence. I would like to meet my requirements while causing as little suffering as possible.
So if I can overcome my cultural revulsion, I might be a candidate to become a bug-eater. But probably only if I'm really hungry.
#SaveTheParsley
Plants are not sentient beings
Actually do not be so sure about that. There is now good evidence plants communicate though chemical signals. Mother trees actually will send nutrients to it's seedlings, and related plants seem to help each other. I think there is a lot more going on in the plant world than we understand.
Not a comment on the ethics side of any of this, but I remember a short story I read years ago by the writer who penned the story that Hitchcock made into his classic movie, Psycho. Robert Bloch is the writer’s name. It was about this scientist who developed a way to hear plants communicate, as he believed they were sentient. He ended up going mad as he was unable to stop hearing them. Grass screaming as it was mowed, vegetables howling as they were plucked out of the earth. It was a gruesome read obviously, as I recall it to this day.
Not true.
My cat as a great mouse murderer is considering entering politics.
🤣
Yea, the veggie pushers are circle of life deniers. People eat animals to stay healthy. Proof is the vegetarians.
😖😣😫🥴🤢🤮
Fer shure I appreciate the importance of your work.
Now come over here and clean the vomit off of my darling little laptop now, please. And bring toothpicks, for all the crevices.
PS: Don't misinterpret that nice little red heart thingy as some sort of "like." Just think of my crimson throat shrieking.
Sorry 😐
Just the Lord's work, I guess, in one of those mysterious ways.
Watch Oscar winning actress Nicole Kidman eat a 4-course dinner of blue hornworms, mealworms, crickets, and then grasshoppers for dessert. Link to 1-minute video clip:
https://www.foodandwine.com/news/nicole-kidman-bug-eating
I have never eaten any bugs myself. So as a matter of personal experience, I haven't a clue.
But this thread raises a lot of interesting questions for me. And, I have the feeling that people aren't taking a completely objective, scientific view of the question.
The video clip says that two billion people around the world eat bugs, which are commonly served in many parts of the world. I've read this elsewhere as well, and I understand it's much more prevalent in the more poverty stricken parts of the planet, such as India and Africa. But, according to Wikipedia, insects are popular even in Australia and New Zealand. The allegedly instinctive revulsion to "entomophagy" is largely unique to North America and Europe (excluding France, of course.)
So is it possible that the sense of horror we experience at the thought of chowing down a plate of blue hornworms, is purely a cultural thing? That we feel this way because of an accident of birth? Or are we claiming that cause and effect runs the other way, that Indians and Africans and the French are the inferior beings that they are, because they eat bugs?
Or is it that they eat bugs because they're too poor to eat filet mignon, and Haagen Dazs ice cream?
What are we to make of Nicole Kidman? Are we saying that she's really just as disgusted by these bugs as we are? And that they needed to recruit such a great actress to make this film, because any lesser personality would surely be unable to hide their distress?
Or is the argument that Nicole Kidman is herself one of the lizard people that rule the planet, and that's why she likes grasshoppers?
Scientifically speaking, does anyone actually know of any research about the nutritional quality of these meals?
Eating living, wiggling bugs could be dangerous to one's health if the live bugs contain parasites, bacteria, or an unknown, as-yet-undiscovered virus that could "jump" from worms into humans by ingestion ... Her facial expressions did not convince me that she really liked eating the critters. ... also, the video could have been faked (like the Apollo moon landings were) ...
LOL!! The problem with parasites, bacteria or viruses is also a potential issue with sushi, steak tatare, or eggs cooked over easy. Yet these are considered gourmet foods. I personally wouldn't touch any of these, not even if I had a personal chef to be my food taster.
(As an aside: how much should a person expect to be paid, to be the king's food taster?)
The film showed Kidman daintily yet enthusiastically eating one little bug at a time, with chopsticks. Then it was on to the next plate. It would have taken her hours to eat those entire plates, one bug at a time! I'd like to know, did she take up a fork or spoon and chow down the plates enthusiastically, after savoring the taste? If so I would've liked to see it. Did she really have all afternoon to spend eating one bug at a time? Or did she leave those big plates to go out to the chickens?
I'm not saying that the whole scenario isn't bizarre.
My guess is that just like in commercials when they show you how big and loaded say a quarter pounder with cheese is, your experience when you open the package at home is that it looks nothing like the commercial, because all the stuff in the commercial was not actual food, but faked props for a commercial shoot, to subliminally get you to agree it is delicious and you want it.
Same with Nicole. It may look like a bug she’s eating, but it is not. She’s shooting a commercial to psyop the watchers, like the good little sock puppet she is.
Also possible she might be a true believer in this, as she grew up abused and no doubt is messed up the head.
I won't eat tripe or beets, either, or snails or frogs' legs. And I'll hurl all over the dinner table if you try to make me.
I'm sure that bug protein will keep my nails growing nicely. That ain't the issue. Culture gets right down to the nano level in everyone's household.
Agree! Everyone should be free to chose. It wasn’t always thus (and still is in many poorer parts of the world). A return to feudalism, where we take what is given and grovel before the masters table, is what looming if we don’t repel the overlords.
Personally, I love beets! One of my favorite veggies.
I'm a disappointment to the ancestors in many ways.
What's wrong with beets?
I really dislike most sweet vegetables. I prefer not to eat turnips either, but beets absolutely revolt me.
Nicole's father might be "one of the lizard people" -- from 2014:
"Antony Kidman dies admits child abuse allegations"
https://independentaustralia.net/life/life-display/antony-kidman-dies-amidst-child-abuse-allegations,6918
Free range parsley? WTH?
/pictures little bunches of parsley running amok amongst the free range chickens.
This shit's gotten beyond absurd.
All I can say is “you first”. All you pushers of this lovely new cuisine, I want you to eat this first. For real. Show me that bugs don’t stick to your teeth.
When the show on National Geographic featuring Mick Dodge showed him choosing to eat bugs, I had no issues with it. There was one episode where he went to great lengths to enjoy a fastfood burger. I also had no issues with it. I would not choose either meal but I do support food choice options. If people choose to eat this stuff, why not?
At this point, it is a choice. The push toward bug-food is popping up everywhere though, necessary to get people used to the idea. Then comes the day when there's no meat or protein available, and we'll be nice and primed to consume this stuff. And if you don't believe me, check out WEF's website.
Seriously they try to take my animals and tell me I can't get meat, I will be hiding them in the woods and poaching wildlife hunger games style.
Free Range Parsley:
A special variety that’s undergone genetic enhancement to create bipedal locomotion; capable of philandering among the neighborhood backyard gardens and spoiling the whole lot.
"are these going to "fly" right off the shelves?"
I don't know, man... when I asked about the parasite problem in insect farms, guess the replies I got?
... crickets ...
Now, this really bugs me.
Diaperinus 🤣 and free range parsley? What the….
When I saw that word...Diaperinus...I immediately jumped to "diaper anus"....then "Where are these worms coming from?". Then UGH! Oh just forget it all. 🤢
The idea of this crap as food is so ridiculous. That is exactly what I read too. Yet, people will eat it. They will certainly try it, even if only on a dare or lark.
"Free range parsley" *Running from worm burger full speed*
Do you think they serve this at the WEF meeting in Davos???
If they do, it's probably only served to the 'help'.
😲🤢🤮
This is a colossal IQ test that a large portion of humanity is likely to fail. If we fail, they won’t rest until we accept Soylent green. There is already an increased chatter about cannibalism.
Seasoned with spike proteins.
I’ve seen those. Often under the guise of lab made “human meat” generated from just a few cells. “What’s the big deal?” is the theme of most of the articles about that idea.
Nope. Still doesn’t make it right.
I see a hunger strike in my future when I’m thrown in prison for the crime of raising actual livestock and poultry for my family. I mean, prison would be bad enough but insect gruel will be the final straw! By the way, did you know Canadian taxpayers just pitched in $8 million for a bug farm venture?
F that noise.