Multidimensional energy

1798: 

That we believe animals (i.e. food animals) are low on our priority list, and that we think their treatment is not very important, reflects rather an alarming attitude in humans. And yet it’s probably coming from a very basic survival instinct, connected to saving energy. We are brought up to think that animal food is the best source of energy, and that in turn is linked to an attitude about energy itself, and where it comes from and how profligate we should be in its use.

I don’t believe that all energy is simply a finite resource like the finite quantity of fuel we may have in the petrol tank of a car. There are surely other sources and qualities of energy other than food, just as there are other sources which seem promising but that drain energy.

It’s precious stuff this energy. It’s not a good feeling to run out of it. If we risk our energy supplies, spending it on our long list of nagging responsibilities, we'll end up without enough energy for the unexpected. So, it seems we should try to keep energy and not risk it or waste it. But there again, too little energy expenditure drains energy by way of feeling guilty about doing nothing.

So, we weigh up our options, think about responsibilities, look after things we own or are in charge of, knowing that each ‘takes’ a portion of our energy. And then, what’s left? Will we really have very much energy left over for things lower down on our priority list? Which brings us to the subject of protecting animals’ rights? Working for Animal Rights sounds particularly energy consuming.

If I do choose to act for them, promote their rights, promote vegan principles, what will that involve? Energy will be a factor, but we know that energy comes from various sources - food, exercise, creative bursts of energy producing greater energy. But perhaps energy mainly comes from knowing that we are doing things we believe in, living our lives as truthfully as possible.

I think by serving the interests of those animals in extremis we are acting from love, and that will be in sharp contrast to the much cruder energy-manufacture going on in the harsh world where animals are made to work for us and are drained of their life to provide some sort of energy for us.

We’re told that the farmer loves his animals, but in truth any care shown to them is given to protect human interests, not the animals’ - attending to their welfare means the animals will respond better and grow faster and therefore, in theory, more will be gotten out of them.

Is that cynical or what? Perhaps energy isn't quite as one dimensional as we first think.