Is it problematic/speciesist to have a favourite animal? - eviltoast

Note: It’s become clear to me that so far the vegan community on Lemmy (unlike Reddit) is lacking and overrun by non-vegans. So please only answer this if you’re actually vegan. I’m seeking a vegan perspective on this.

With that out of the way, is it speciesist to have a favourite animal? Many vegans consider themselves dog 🐕 lovers or cat 🐈 lovers (“ailurophiles”) first and foremost, aside from animal lovers (who actually respect animals hence their veganism) in general. Others, like Joey Carbstrong, say that pigs 🐖 are their favourite animal and always have been even since before they went vegan; maybe some saw the movie “Babe” and developed an affection for them, for example. It’s understandable. And others like cows 🐄 or chicks 🐥 or lambs 🐑 of course.

But as much as it might be a natural thing to gravitate to a certain species of animal, and “favouritise” them, is that still a form of speciesism? Of course if you’re not actually exploiting the animals that aren’t your favourite then it’s only a mental matter. But is it still wrong even just to view them differentially and prefer or hold more love for some species than others? Loving an individual than another makes sense. But would you love one race of people more than other? Do you say “Greek people are my favourite race” (as a non-Greek person, for sake of example)? If not, and if that would be considered racist, then why is it not speciesist to prefer one species over others, even if just mentally?

  • schmidtster@lemmy.world
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    11 months ago

    So vegans are complaining that they are overrun by non-vegans and carnivores are complaining they are overrun by non-carnivores.

    And I thought Reddit was childish.

    • Grapetruth@lemmy.worldOP
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      11 months ago

      That seems reasonable. We want a vegan community of actual vegans to communicate about topics with. Likewise “carnivore” dieters (I wasn’t aware there was a presence of them on Lemmy) probably want actual carnivore dieters to talk to. I don’t see the problem with this. If I ask a question directed toward vegans and all I get is responses from non-vegans, it defeats the purpose of my question. Only vegans can truly understand where you’re coming from about certain things to do with vegan topics. Guessing you’re not vegan based on your phrasing.

      • schmidtster@lemmy.world
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        11 months ago

        Oh I just find it funny that y’all are going into each others communities and trolling.

        Also, bringing it to light and trying to create a safe space will only make things worse. It’s a self fulfilling prophecy.

        Only vegans can truly understand a topic sometimes.

        What an arrogant take.

        • Grapetruth@lemmy.worldOP
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          11 months ago

          I said often only vegans can truly understand a vegan topic. And you’re just proving my point. Would you think that only a Christian can truly understand Christian topics for example? Why should they not be allowed to speak to Christians? I’m seeking responses from vegans since this question is very much geared towards topics that only vegans really discuss. That should be perfectly fine.

          And of course I’m not going into carnivore communities and trolling. But you’re clearly coming into this vegan community and trolling for some reason.

          Finally, as the numbers of vegans increase on this platform, there won’t be as much pushback from non-vegans whenever a vegan says something on a vegan community, as you can see on the Reddit vegan community that is well-established.

          Now please kindly read the question that I’m here to talk to vegans, not non-vegans. This is question seeking a vegan’s perspective.

            • Grapetruth@lemmy.worldOP
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              11 months ago

              I never said what you said pretty sure. But I edited it literally immediately. I meant that often only vegans can truly understand a topic about veganism, which makes perfect sense.

              • schmidtster@lemmy.world
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                11 months ago

                All I’m gonna say about that, is yes safe spaces are typically were our notions (wrong or right) are reciprocated.

                You aren’t looking for people to understand a topic, you just want similar minded people to “circle-jerk”, not accepting outside opinion, but pushing theirs on others, is a major issue with people these days.

                Not trolling at all, just pointing out what’s come across the Hot feed the last couple days, and trying to create engagement.

                • Grapetruth@lemmy.worldOP
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                  11 months ago

                  I’m trying to talk to vegans about this topic. That’s all. This question is discussing things that vegans focus on in particular. If I was asking another question geared toward all people that would be different. Please leave me alone now.

                  • schmidtster@lemmy.world
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                    11 months ago

                    Then why bring up it being overrun by “non-vegans” that’s not achieving what you wanted it to with that comment leading the topic.