On Human-Nonhuman Relations

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37582088530382172062009-07-18T06:02:36.745-07:00On Human-Nonhuman RelationsA Sociological Exploration of Speciesism.Roger Yateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15129714223305750782sos044@bangor.ac.ukBlogger90125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758208853038217206.post-6678128642510603762009-07-18T03:42:00.000-07:002009-07-18T03:50:15.619-07:00No Connection.

While I was busy selling raffle tickets at a recent benefit gig for the Irish Vegan Society, a woman approached with a common question about dairy: she could see the problem about meat eating - but surely there are no ethical issues regarding milk and cheese.I explained, as you do, about the fact that calves are taken away from their mothers so we can consume this baby food of another mammal in

Roger Yateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15129714223305750782sos044@bangor.ac.uk3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758208853038217206.post-64710072311826530302009-07-16T08:31:00.000-07:002009-07-16T09:07:44.253-07:00The Evolution of Animal Ethics in Japan by Dr. Koichi Tagami.

Over a number of exchanges with Dr. Koichi Tagami of Rissho University, Toyko, Japan, I have been exploring how the issue and idea of animal rights is evolving in Japan. Dr. Tagami is an expert on Marx's theory of alienation and is the author of "Practical Environmental Ethics" (2006), extracts of which can be found here. I am grateful to Dr. Tagami for giving me permission to reproduce the

Roger Yateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15129714223305750782sos044@bangor.ac.uk2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758208853038217206.post-43205589505660693532009-07-11T04:25:00.000-07:002009-07-11T04:35:30.782-07:00A Cow At My Table: an event in Animal Rights July.

The third event of ‘Animal Rights July’ in Dublin takes place at Theatre ‘N’, Newman Building, UCD campus, on Wednesday 15th July, 2009, at 7.00 pm.A Cow At My Table has never been presented at a public event such as Animal Rights July before in Ireland. It is a powerful documentary about our relations with other animals, filmed over five years, by journalist, media artist and teacher, Jennifer

Roger Yateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15129714223305750782sos044@bangor.ac.uk0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758208853038217206.post-6482216086555087452009-07-05T12:57:00.000-07:002009-07-05T13:06:39.648-07:00Time to Save Our Home?

Saving our HOME.A movie event as part of “Animal Rights July.”Where: Theatre N, Newman Building, UCD campus; When: Wednesday evening 8th July;Time: 7.00-9-45. FREE ADMISSION.Week 2, July 8th: Showing of the new 90-minute environmental film “HOME”followed by discussion.In 1972, the United Nations General Assembly established World Environment Day (5th June) to further “worldwide awareness of the

Roger Yateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15129714223305750782sos044@bangor.ac.uk0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758208853038217206.post-45562247706738126002009-06-28T10:32:00.000-07:002009-06-29T10:05:46.419-07:00Friends Update

In January, I wrote a blog entry about two friends, an elephant and a dog. This lovely story is so important in terms of animal rights theory and animal cognition.A new update on the story of Bella and Tara is available HERE.

Roger Yateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15129714223305750782sos044@bangor.ac.uk2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758208853038217206.post-39348961816472954852009-06-25T06:33:00.000-07:002009-06-25T06:42:08.782-07:00"Animal Rights July."

Every Wednesday evening in July 2009.7.00 - 9.45pm. Theatre ‘N’, Newman Building, U.C.D.Admission (and food) is free.·Week 1. July 1st.The Animal Rights Debate: A Bill of Rights for Animals?Although filmed in the late 1980s, this debate is still relevant today. Featuring professors Tom Regan, Richard Ryder, Andrew Linzey, Mary Warnock, Steven Rose and Germaine Greer, and with contribution from

Roger Yateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15129714223305750782sos044@bangor.ac.uk1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758208853038217206.post-39590212656814997912009-06-15T07:25:00.000-07:002009-06-15T07:56:03.814-07:00More Vegan Education Developments.

In a recent blog entry, I mentioned some welcome developments in vegan education initiatives and vegan podcasting. For example, I highlighted the NZ Vegan Podcast, online vegan recipes from Vegan-a-go-go, Adam Kochanowicz’s The Vegan News and, of course, Bob and Jenna Torres' Vegan Freaks Radio Show.Law professor and animal rights philosopher, Gary Francione, recently noted that Elizabeth

Roger Yateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15129714223305750782sos044@bangor.ac.uk0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758208853038217206.post-1123838931435211822009-06-02T02:51:00.000-07:002009-06-13T08:57:08.715-07:00The Rationality of Becoming Vegan.

An article by Barbara McDonald on becoming vegan, first published in the 1990s, has recently been featured in a new reader on human-nonhuman relations. Although the piece is now a little dated (the original research being conducted in June 1996), and the sample of 12 vegans interviewed is very small, it seems to contain some points of interests for rights-based abolitionists.Although McDonald is

Roger Yateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15129714223305750782sos044@bangor.ac.uk5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758208853038217206.post-26476887703152052632009-05-24T01:58:00.000-07:002009-05-24T02:19:59.307-07:00Conspiracy Theory.

Sociologists often characterise social movements as claims makers in civil society. As such, they become involved in a battle of ideas with ideological opponents in what has been called the ‘movement-countermovement dialectic.’ Sociologists also point out the importance of labels and the social control implications of labelling.Parties in such dialectical relationships often identify themselves

Roger Yateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15129714223305750782sos044@bangor.ac.uk4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758208853038217206.post-60202747906764003382009-05-18T09:20:00.000-07:002009-05-18T09:35:31.231-07:00The Welcome Development of Vegan Abolitionist Resources.

At the beginning of 2007, law professor and animal rights philosopher Gary Francione noted, in a considered and important blog entry, how important the internet is for modern day animal advocates – and vegan abolitionists in particular.A new animal rights movement is using technology to educate. This is an important development, not least because much of the appeal of corporate welfare

Roger Yateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15129714223305750782sos044@bangor.ac.uk5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758208853038217206.post-6261730524087953092009-05-11T03:50:00.000-07:002009-05-11T05:31:12.370-07:00Easygoing Speciesism.

In my doctoral thesis, leaning heavily on Christopher Lasch, I coined the term "easygoing speciesism."The concept defines attitudes and claims-making about human-nonhuman relations and, in particular, highlights the easy assumptions humans tend to make about the rightful place and legitimate use of nonhuman animals. Indeed, the issue of 'place' is very important in routine social interaction.

Roger Yateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15129714223305750782sos044@bangor.ac.uk5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758208853038217206.post-89987665088858977532009-04-25T14:57:00.000-07:002009-04-25T15:27:52.215-07:00When Butchers Are Not So Brave

Irish national media outlet RTE recently reported that a bull had escaped confinement and ran into a local supermarket in County Mayo.Looking for all the world like a staged TV comedy, there is one scene in which someone runs down a aisle toward the CCTV camera, abruptly slides to a halt, and retreats as the bull makes his escape.A little before this, a store butcher, dressed in traditional

Roger Yateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15129714223305750782sos044@bangor.ac.uk2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758208853038217206.post-3755468525861124962009-04-19T09:39:00.000-07:002009-04-19T09:42:27.293-07:00Visualise the Numbers

A striking graphic from Animal Visuals.

Roger Yateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15129714223305750782sos044@bangor.ac.uk0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758208853038217206.post-51570612242239814012009-04-13T12:06:00.000-07:002009-04-13T12:43:30.348-07:00The Demand of Speciesism.

It’s the economics of supply and demand - and I make the demands around here.Pictures of Starving Children Sell Records: Starvation, Charity and Rock & Roll: Lies & Tradition,Chumbawamba 1986.At the invitation of Dublin-based ALiberation, I spoke at a university debate earlier in the week. The event was organised jointly by the university’s debating society and the style society, so they wanted

Roger Yateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15129714223305750782sos044@bangor.ac.uk2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758208853038217206.post-519225919505121632009-04-11T14:04:00.000-07:002009-04-11T14:23:54.754-07:00Yates tries to become computer literate.

With mixed success I'd say, clicking buttons I'm not sure why!On Facebook now and just joined MySpace, the latter mainly to try to contact Morrissey.In the 1980s, when The Smiths were doing their Meat is Murder tour, Morrissey gave us (Merseyside Animal Rights Committee) permission to do a stall at their Liverpool gig. Good way to vegan educate and, since he's coming to Ireland soon, I thought

Roger Yateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15129714223305750782sos044@bangor.ac.uk2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758208853038217206.post-88933003870650927532009-03-31T10:17:00.000-07:002009-04-01T11:55:17.313-07:00On Not Knowing.

What vegans know and what meat eaters and vegetarians often deny.Far more crucial than what we know or do not know is what we do not want to know.Eric Hoffer, The Passionate State of Mind, 1954.On Saturday March 24, 2001, the Welsh edition of the Liverpool Daily Post featured a single large picture on its front page. Under the headline ‘HEARTBREAK’ a man is pictured standing in front of a cow.

Roger Yateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15129714223305750782sos044@bangor.ac.uk6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758208853038217206.post-76974450732806166632009-03-27T10:56:00.000-07:002009-03-27T11:00:08.189-07:00Do Animals Have Rights?

A new debate between Gary Francione and Jan Narveson: link.

Roger Yateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15129714223305750782sos044@bangor.ac.uk0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758208853038217206.post-55588521488731458272009-03-21T19:08:00.000-07:002009-03-25T09:04:12.453-07:00Mmmmm, rashers.

As animal rights advocates we cannot fail to appreciate the depth of speciesism that exists in society. Most societies are saturated in speciesist norms and values. We are confronted with this reality all the time. When I first moved to Ireland, for example, I was struck by the fact that there could be three or four dairy-related advertisements in any given ad-break on the national TV station,

Roger Yateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15129714223305750782sos044@bangor.ac.uk5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758208853038217206.post-81417766358299464902009-03-05T04:43:00.000-08:002009-03-05T07:44:08.599-08:00The Strength of Dominant Paradigms: can animal advocates liberate themselves from animal welfarism?

The ideology of animal welfarism is the dominant paradigm when it comes to assessing how humans should treat nonhuman animals. Different forms of animal welfarism are also dominant among animal advocates, including neo-welfarists who self-identify as radical animal rights campaigners. This paper sets out to explore the reasons why animal welfarism is so prevalent, and suggests that socialisation

Roger Yateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15129714223305750782sos044@bangor.ac.uk2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758208853038217206.post-59115021213215898362009-02-20T09:56:00.000-08:002009-02-21T20:54:19.192-08:00More Use Regulation Failures.

The problems grow for the large animal welfare corporations on both sides of the Atlantic as they try to regulate the exploitation of nonhuman rights bearers and thereby connive in rights violations.The RSPCA's "Freedom Foods" initiative has been exposed once more by TV's Five News. This footage, taken at night and unannounced, reveals once again the extreme problems of attempting to regulate

Roger Yateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15129714223305750782sos044@bangor.ac.uk1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758208853038217206.post-477210445271754772009-02-03T14:36:00.000-08:002009-02-03T14:54:34.899-08:00Animal Rights Violations.

Announcing the launch of the Animal Rights Violations website. I hope you find it useful and informative.Please click HERE.

Roger Yateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15129714223305750782sos044@bangor.ac.uk2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758208853038217206.post-53478684886138245572009-01-25T10:32:00.000-08:002009-06-16T09:22:27.353-07:00Neo-Welfare Animal Liberationists.

You know how academics like to come up with new concepts or, more often, build on existing ideas of others. So, what do you think of the notion of neo-welfare animal liberationists (N-WALs)? I offer it speculatively in the hope of generating feedback on the name and the reasons why I suggest it.Here are a couple of examples of how I have tried to use the notion in recent forum posts [I have

Roger Yateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15129714223305750782sos044@bangor.ac.uk34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758208853038217206.post-85164996166259516432009-01-12T04:09:00.001-08:002009-01-17T10:43:41.276-08:00Gary Francione.

ANIMAL WELFARE: SCOURGE OF THE EARTH...

Roger Yateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15129714223305750782sos044@bangor.ac.uk1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758208853038217206.post-39490013533623674982009-01-12T04:01:00.000-08:002009-01-12T04:02:42.410-08:00Chomsky.

Roger Yateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15129714223305750782sos044@bangor.ac.uk1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3758208853038217206.post-64651272591141394092009-01-12T03:38:00.000-08:002009-01-12T03:39:53.844-08:00Friends.

Watch CBS Videos Online

Roger Yateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15129714223305750782sos044@bangor.ac.uk0