Internet and vegetarianism and veganism?!
Now with so many people talking over the internet, do you think more people will see that vegetarian and vegan lifestyle is a kinder choice?
Will there be more vegetarians ans vegans? - that would not have been without the internet?
Answers: I have come to understand that often when research and medical data tried to show that vegetarians and vegans lifestyle was kinder to our hearts, animals and the planet, those research materials were quickly discarded.
Now with so many people talking over the internet, do you think more people will see that vegetarian and vegan lifestyle is a kinder choice?
Will there be more vegetarians ans vegans? - that would not have been without the internet?
I totally agree with you. Yes I think the Internet is a great learning tool. Many wouldn't understand the pain and suffering with out having done some research or watch some videos or saw photos. I also think the Internet provides a great source of moral support to help maintain our veg or vegan lifestyle. Talking to other vegers and vegans on YA and subscribing to newsletters has really helped me.
i am a little confused by your question... but i went vegetarian (then vegan) after reading things on the web. I never heard about veganism in my everyday life so the internet definitely brought it to my vocabulary & lifestyle. and I do think people realize the kinder outcomes of it now, I know a bunch of people who have transitioned their eating habits because of peta and musical artists who publicize it
That's a very interesting question!
I think the internet is an excellent tool for individuals who are seeking to learn about anything, really. It makes information much more accessible to the layperson. It also provides the means for people to connect with others. So certainly those individuals who are interested in becoming vegetarian are more likely to actually do it if they have information and support, even if it's online.
That said, in my experience, individuals who are serious about making a life change (quitting smoking, losing weight, becoming vegetarian) are going to seek out information resources by any reasonable means, with or without the internet. For example, when I decided to become vegan, I didn't go to my computer - I went to a bookstore.
I would love it if more people became vegetarian/vegan because of the internet, and probably alot of people do. But I think people who use the internet to find out about alternatives to meat and cruelty are doing so because they are already inclined towards this point of view, and simply want more information. Yes they'll find the information more quickly, which can only be a good thing if it means they give up meat sooner, but they can find the information from paper publications as well.
I do think, though, that video internet images that document abuse of animals in the production of meat can be a more powerful tool than static photographs to persuade people who otherwise may have continued to eat meat.
I think it's important to bear in mind, though, that the internet is a tool for all voices, so unfortunately inbred, vile animal abusers can post their sickening images eg. of dogfights, just as much as we can post our attempts to highlight mistreatment and effect change. So unfortunately it can work both ways.