According
to Hal Herzog, the way we treat animals may be based on a matter of appearing
cute. We also may be initially attracted to animals based on an idea called the
animate-monitoring hypothesis. However, when two dogs from the same litter end
up in different situations such as a research lab or home what is the
difference? I thought the presentation or the naming of animals was one of the
more interesting points brought up about this matter. Herzog referred to the
fact that we name pets and yet do not name research subjects. For example, Professor
Hamilton began by introducing his cat Blackie. After reading this however I
thought about studies where the subjects were either dolphins or mice.
Typically, in a study where the research subjects are dolphins, the dolphins
are named. However whenever I hear of studies with mice as subjects I never
read names. Why are dolphins more deserving of names than mice? Is it because
we think they may have the ability of theory of mind?
I understand dolphins are usually more
fascinating to humans than are mice and I would choose an experience with a
dolphin over a mouse any day. Dolphins are usually considered more attractive
and majestic than mice. We hear and watch videos concerning the slaughtering of
dolphins and there are probably few if any videos against the killing of mice.
Appearing attractive to humans can literally save or break a species. Now as I
think of sitting and eating a chicken sandwich (a section in the book where you
will probably shed a tear) while watching the T.V show Too Cute! about a litter of kittens on animal planet what is the
difference between the two animals I am involved with at the moment? There are
several but a large difference, particularly here in the United States, is that
chickens are not typically considered cute while kittens are, enough to even
have their own show! The difference is amazing.
First off I love the title of your response, it ties the chapter up well. I as well found the section about naming animals interesting, though it makes complete sense that in order to not become attached with something one should limit the amount of time spent bonding/ naming the animal. However, the part about naming dolphins over rats negates my previous comment. Along the same lines of naming animals I was dumb founded to the section when Herzog mentions how we as Americans order meat at a deli/ butcher. When buying meat cow is called beef rather than cow, yet chicken is always chicken. I suppose this has never crossed my mind because I do not sit around and think about these thoughts. I would attribute that to the fact that it is easier to eat a meat when you disassociate the food from the animal, in which it came from. Just as Nancy said kittens and chickens are both animals, yet we put one a T.V. show and the other we put on a plate. I don't think these questions will ever be answered they will just simply boggle the minds of everyone; however, Herzog does an amazing job of bringing up simple aspects of human-animal relationships that most glance over.
ReplyDeleteI agree with previous statements here that calling our food by a different name than what it actually is (beef, instead of cow) is an interesting way that humans deal with the animal-as-food relationship we share with our non-human counterparts. I agree that it helps to separate us from the guilt, as Herzog mentioned, that we feel after eating an animal.
ReplyDeleteRecently there was an issue with a place called Taco Fusion serving tacos made with lion meat (along with many other exotic animal meats). This of course did not go over well. People were outraged. How could people possibly eat lions? They are so majestic and beautiful! The use of lion meat quickly ceased. But my question is this: why is it so horrible to eat lion, yet we eat chickens, cows, pigs and many other animals on a daily basis? Don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating lion meat. I think it's awful. But why are people outraged at this when most people turn a blind eye to the types of animals we eat regularly? Who decided lions were more worth saving than cows?
link to the story: http://abcnews.go.com/US/fla-restaurant-taco-fusion-scrutiny-offering-lion-meat/story?id=19158871
--Christine