Food for the Future: America's Transformation Into a Vegetarian Culture

[vandev97]

YOU CAN'T LIVE WITH OUT MEAT YOU NEED THE PROTEIN WHICH YOU CAN'T FIND IN VEGGIES!!!!!

[avahoffman]

@vandev97 There are many sources of protein nutritionally equivalent to those found in meat, tofu for one. Actually, the government recommends an excessive intake of protein--more than the body truly needs to be fully nourished--which has played a role in creating this culture that idolizes meat.

[vandev97]

@avahoffman Well you will never see me eat only plants and also Americans eat what is cheapest. And vegan food is really expensive and most americans can't afford it so meat will always be #1.

[thestreetsempty]

By suggesting we need more campaigning about its detriments, and comparing this act to the decline of the smoker culture, you're essentially saying this is a grassroots movement. I agree. However, the government owns the meat industry. The very wealthy control the media we see on mainstream television. There are even laws prohibiting distribution of slaughterhouse images. And people still smoke. I believe it needs to be systematically implemented, and we need a bit more action within the system.

[thestreetsempty]

(continued:) As well as ending the demand. There are already veg meat/dairy alternatives of tastes indecipherable to authentic meat/dairy. Because meat/dairy is government (taxpayer) subsidized, I highly doubt the tax will be removed to show its true prices - let alone its poor health implications. I believe education is essential, but this needs to be a grander scale than the gradual change. They're already implementing laws which prohibit exchange of information surrounding this industry.

[thestreetsempty]

(continued:) In my opinion, we should also drop the word "vegetarian" and instead use "vegan". Vegetarian is the equivalent to animal welfarists. If we want to entice the academic and ethical, we must advocate complete environmental and moral regard.

[avahoffman]

@thestreetsempty (cont) Of course I would love too if the government would systematically implement vegetarianism (or veganism as you suggested) however from a realistic and practical standpoint I chose to not go down that road because for my audience the ideas would immediately be shut down and thus the larger message of the need for change would be ignored as the whole concept would be considered impractical and idealist. Thank you for your comments I appreciate the feedback!

[avahoffman]

@thestreetsempty I agree with your ideas. This video was intended for a high school audience, as I am also a high school student who aimed to present my ideas from this research project, and thus these were my conclusions hoping to target viewers who were very closed-minded to the idea of this transformation in any respect. Thus I went with the approach of graual change and transformation on a larger scale as the initiation of a much larger ideal transformation.

[thestreetsempty]

@avahoffman I really liked your video. I understand it was geared toward high school students. I think you're right that from a realistic standpoint, it has to be a message of self-empowerment and accountability - without crossing the line of berating others. I'm sure your message got a lot of people thinking. Great job!