Following the Crowd

Edited by CJ Tointon

Most people find it very difficult to grasp the idea of veganism. They prefer to take advantage of what is on offer and just do what everybody else is doing - even though they must know there's something distinctly wrong about using animals for food, clothing, medication, etc. 



Perhaps it's the lack of questioning in our society that's at the root of these ugly and dangerous habits. If there is a possibility open to us but it's  not widely publicised, then effectively it doesn't exist. We are all influenced by what is promoted and ignorant of what isn't. Think 'normality' and then think McDonalds, Heinz and Adidas. These are well-known, powerful corporations. They know exactly how to persuade by way of blanket advertising. 'Vegan' is neither a brand nor a very well know concept. It is purposely not promoted. It doesn't appear much in the media. Any discussion of its merits is given almost no publicity, thereby implying that a vegan way of life is so impractical that it isn't worth consideration.



Even intelligent, articulate, widely respected people don't dare embark upon this one subject. And I'm not talking diets or health or veganic farming here, but simply referring to the common practice of attacking animals to make human life easier. 



It's not exactly hard to win the argument for veganism. I've even known kids to knock down hefty intellectuals with one or two well chosen words on the subject. It must be embarrassing for those who will talk expansively about any subject under the sun, but who refuse to open their mouths when it comes to the matter of using animals to provide food, clothing….and much more.