Comments on: Homo Sapiens Or Homo Psychopathiens?

By: aaronshawphd

aaronshawphd — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:29:07 +0000

Haven’t seen the movie, but it sounds really cool!

By: Daniel

Daniel — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:03:01 +0000

Alejandra, I think you hit the nail on the head. People don't like giving things up. We're taught to consume, consume, consume! Restraint is very rare. And I think it's a willful disconnect Harry. Not knowing too much means you don't have to change. But I'm with Elaine and I plan to get as many people to watch Earthlings as I can. I think distributing the DVD is an excellent idea. .-= Daniel´s last blog ..Homo sapiens or Homo psychopathiens? =-.

By: Alejandra

Alejandra — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:33:21 +0000

I don’t understand how people, knowing what’s going on, can keep on eating animals and using the products of their exploitation. I talk with friends who have read Skinny Bitch, saw footage of factory farming etc. but still can’t give it up all together.
Maybe it’s some its the feeling that giving up comfort will be too hard, not wanting to be part of a minority… Or for some the simple belief that animals don’t care and that that’s what they are on Earth for.
I haven’t been able to watch Earthling, I tried a couple of times but it’s too hard for me.
I have been vegan for over a year now and can’t imagine ever going back.
.-= Alejandra´s last blog ..The Drifter Premiere in Vancouver =-.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:03:40 +0000

Hi Matt! Of course you’re right, and you make a good point about ex-vegans. I really don’t have any further insights; this was written more out of frustration than anything else. Like I wrote, I don’t have all the answers. I just don’t know why we can’t live by the credo: do no harm, and that be the end of it. And I truly can’t understand how so many people, considered sane and upstanding members of the community, can torture animals, even setting them on fire and stabbing them with knives, and derive pleasure from it (while thousands of mentally healthy spectators watch and cheer). It seems “normal” is to cause animals pain and torment and to care about animal suffering is “radical” and “extreme”. It’s like something from the Twilight Zone.
.-= Daniel´s last blog ..Homo sapiens or Homo psychopathiens? =-.

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:38:50 +0000

I’m interested in this idea of the human species itself being psychopathic. If it is, what are we to make of clinical psychopaths, those one percent of humans who are genetically disposed to have no conscience whatsoever? Perhaps it is the psychopaths, not we, who are the next evolution? In a sense, not having a conscience can be an effective survival tool, at least in an individualist world; empathy is vital for living in tribes or close-knit societies, but more and more we are getting away from that in favor of atomized living.

As much as I would like to believe it, I have to say that I don’t buy the idea that vegans are somehow a different species or are the first link in a new species. I know too many ex-vegans, and too many empathetic meat eaters for that to make sense.

That is an interesting question though, about why some people can watch Earthlings and go on exploiting animals, while other people watch it and change their entire lives as a result. It’s not that the first group has no conscience. I have known meat eaters to be shaken up by the facts about factory farming and yet go on eating factory farmed animals anyway. I don’t think it’s as simple as one group being homo psychopathiens and the other being homo sapiens pathiens. But there are obviously some differences at work, and I’d like to hear more of your insights about it.

By: Eccentric Vegan

Eccentric Vegan — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:52:13 +0000

I’ve seen it and I bought a few copies to give out.
I think it’s important for vegans and animal advocates to watch it so they can speak with more confidence about animal cruelty.
I found that after watching the film that I was inspired to get more involved. Knowledge is power.

By: Harry Hebert

Harry Hebert — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:17:09 +0000

Well, I won’t watch “Earthlings” for it serves no purpose for me personally to witness further atrocities. However, it is good that you reviewed it and hopefully those unacquainted with these horrors will get a ‘heads up’ from it. Alas, humans after watching TV for generations, have become accoustomed to merely watching horror without interacting. They are disconnected from considering ‘from whence’ comes my food,clothing, and ingredients of products. Like yourself, I am somewhat embarassed to be a human sometimes.
.-= Harry Hebert´s last blog ..Quotes – Page 182 =-.