"civilized" man thinks he's above "animals" and the environment, and sees them all as "resources" for him to use, control and exploit. but i am guilty too, just by participating in our modern day society. forgive me, this is way off topic... but i've just finished reading ishmael and is in the process of reading the culture of make believe and your post made me think of this. *sigh* not thinking very happy thoughts lately.

i eat farmed meat too. i don't cook meat at home but i eat meat when i go out to restaurants, and i go out quite often. i'm trying to cut down but it's hard! the pleasure of tasting the meat only lasts a second, and once i swallow that bite it is gone. is it worth all the pain and suffering farmed animals have to go through? if only meat was harder to obtain, and if only we have to be confronted with the fact that animals are living beings with emotion and individuality. imagine if everyone who wanted to eat meat had to kill and butcher our own meat, maybe then animals won't be exploited.