I’ve had a series of Twitter conversations this week that involve the ethics (or lack of) in the paleo nutrition movement. The initial convo was touched off by a post I saw that stated “your diet (paleo) is dumb.” Being a glutton for punishment, I set out to understand why my chosen lifestyle was “dumb” and kicked off a thread with the Twitterer (Tweeter? I don’t know; you get the point).

Most vegans I’ve met are such because they have ethical observations that include the taking of life. Animal abolitionists. This person was no exception. While I have never attempted veganism or vegetarianism, I have a lot of respect for people who are able and willing to stand up for what they believe. In my case, I have a deep seated concern for animal welfare. While I choose to eat meat, because I believe it’s better for my health and enjoy it, I do my best to ensure the meat I purchase was humanely treated, before and during slaughter. There are moral implications that I attempt to balance. It’s not always easy, but well worth it in my opinion.

I don’t really care to get in the middle of the omnivore vs. vegan/vegetarian argument. It’s obvious which side I fall on, and I’d prefer to save those breaths for people who are seeking nutritional advice. But to be clear, I do NOT feel it’s appropriate to attack the ethical/moral observations of a person. Subsequent threads stemming from this issue became, more or less, name calling. That’s all noise; drama that I want no part of. This lifestyle is my choice. That’s what modern society has offered me. I am not paleolithic man. My survival is not dependant on the direction that herd of buffalo is moving. One of the perks of social evolution, despite it’s downsides, is that life gets easier. Some say too easy, I get it, but the point is that we are now provided the choice of having greater concern for the animals we eat (or don’t). Joe Vegan has the same choice I do. Maybe he can be a conceited prick, but that’s a different issue. It’s still his right. If he were stuck on an island, sure as shit he’d probably end up killing something to eat. But he’s not stuck on an island, and I’m cool with that.

I don’t know anything about Native American culture, but I did watch Last of the Mohicans, and Pocahontas, so I’m going to assume that there was some respect towards nature and the sustenance she provided. Many of us seem to have lost that respect along the way. Is it so bad that some people have chosen to pick up that flag and carry it again?

More on this topic as I explore it in my own life…

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