Seal-Clubbing and Other Fun Things To Do

[thejoydecoy]

This is a post I made in response to someone else's post regarding an animal cruelty video made by PETA as propaganda. Although this post was made a while back, the issue came up again in one of my recent coversations. Imagine that...me conversing with people

Comments

[rapscallion]

I agree that most of the things that go on in this and many other industries are a product of a badly laid out bureaucratic system, but I'm not sure that's the whole of the story.

Do you think that the working environment exempts the workers from responsibility for their cruelty? Desensitization is one thing, but overt cruelty or lack of compassion seems another to me. Even when you are desensitized, you are not mindless. Human beings, even in the worst of conditions, if they are still able to go home to their families and function, are not machines. Why ought we not to hold them responsible for behaving inhumanely? Would it not be possible for them to do their jobs and be paid without inflicting undue pain on other living creatures?

Perhaps, however, some of these workers are merely unaware of their own actions... And although that is a terrifying prospect for me (I'd feel less badly about thinking there's a bunch of sick fuckwads out there torturing animals for personal glee than thinking there are merely a lot of people too dumb to know what the fuck they're doing all day long), I suppose it is still a possibility.

It could be vain idealism, but I think that small acts of intelligence, responsibility, caring, etc. are eventually what bring about the biggest changes. If everyone did what he knew to be right to the best of his ability, the world would be better. I try to live my life by this principle. Thus, I like to hold everyone responsible for his own part in the everyday, mediocre bullshit in which he participates, and accordingly, the consequences of said bullshit.

Maybe I'm just nuty, but I'd be intersted in your opinion on these matters.

[thejoydecoy]

Of course it isn't the whole story. I definately agree with you that the working environment DOES NOT exempt the workers from responsibility. Of course human beings are in full control of their actions at all times. But certain situations get the best of them.

Think of a situation where you're just a lowly chicken farmer. You're bottom of the barrel and you're superior to no one. All you do is round up chickens day-in and day-out and you have been doing this for the last 5 years. The only power you have is over the chickens. When you first started the job, you were somewhat apprehensive towards the chickens and you exhibited caution and the utmost of care as to not hurt any of them. As time passed and as you realized these animals are fucking retarded, you realized that you have complete control over them. You could kick them across the pen without any repercussions. You get shit for pay and your boss is an asshole. You come to work everyday completely frustrated and pissed off because you know that this is the only job you can get. Are you going to think twice about booting some non-conforming feathered little fuck out of your way?

Granted, this isn't every situation. I mentioned that some of these shit-heels are just fucked up to begin with and have an overwhelming urge for power and dominance over anything they're lucky enough to have power over. These people obviously have to be aware of their own actions, they're just not thinking twice anymore. I mean, there's the possibility of many intervening factors here. Hell, they could just want to show everyone else they work with how tough they are (males...pft). They know damn well that when they kick the chicken that hard, it might break it's neck, but hey, a smidgeon of their frustration has been worked out, right?

Back to my lame little example with the chicken farmer...I've experienced this first-hand in the lab. When I started my research with the rats, I was gentle to the point of it being ridiculous. I would do anything to avoid hurting them. With time, I started being more assertive and aggressive with them. Now, when I say "aggressive", I don't mean that I beat them if they didn't cooperate. You just have to learn how to hold them more firmly and you have to learn how to stand your ground with them (no living creature LIKES having an injection...unless there's something in there that they are addicted to). But as my research progressed, I found myself realizing that it's mindless labour now. It's like an injection assembly line. It's like this because I know I have to do it. To yield my desired results, whether they be monetary or whatever, I have to do this whether I like it or not.

Now, my mindset probably isn't anywhere near the animal torturers', but I'm sure you can see somewhat of a relation. I still don't want to hurt the rats and try very hard not to. Although I'm not a member or supporter of PETA or any organizations similar to them, I am still strongly opposed to animal cruelty.

The principle you try to live your life by would definately make the world better...without a doubt. But it's a pipe-dream to think that everyone could be taught to live this way too (not to say that you think it's possible). I, on the other hand, believe that everyone is inherently selfish. This is the principle I live MY life by (and it may actually be one of your other cherished principles too...I don't know). Some people are much more intent on gaining power than others. That's where everyone being responsible for their part comes into play. It's up to the individual to choose whether or not and to what degree they are going to perform an action. Some take it a lot further and to greater extremes than others depending on their need for gratification.

I don't know if this makes any sense. It was kind of hard to explain.

[rapscallion]

I think the flaw in your description lies in your personal example - you're not mindlessly torturing the animals you handle. Sure, they don't like getting injections, but it could be worse. I've gotten an injection, myself. Several, at least. I'm not traumatized. I think a rat can handle it, too. You're aware that they are feeling beings, even if you still have to inflict some degree of discomfort or pain on them. You're not kicking them to death or skinning them alive or any such insanity.

The only reason I mentioned the sickos with the animal-torture kick is that they disturb me to a lesser degree than people who are too stupid to know they're being cruel. I'd rather someone be intentionally malicious yet self aware than a brainwashed automaton. Even people who are messed up seem to still retain more humanity than people who have just ceased to think. Then again, I suppose that could be up for debate.

I certainly don't think that all people will adopt my position about doing what is right, but I can't help but hold out hope that enough will to affect some change. If I didn't hold that hope, I'd be so lost in apathy that I'd lose all functionality... Which would be unpleasant for me. And, on the same note, I agree that humans are inherently selfish. I want people to do what's right because I want the want to live in a better world. This is my ideal and I'd like to acheive it. I wouldn't suggest that I say this entirely for the benefit of mankind on a completely general scale (especially given the fact that I consider most of humanity to be a rather embarassing plague).

As LJ eats what I was about to say...

[rapscallion]

I was trying to write out that I'm not sure how the need for gratification would push people to abuse animals. Although, it might cause them to inadvertently undermine animals to increase productivity... Maybe the line is too slim to differentiate there.

Otherwise, I think it did make sense.