There were parts I missed because I had to turn away. At other times I acted like a little kid watching a horror film, covering my face with my hands, only watching what could slip through the cracks between my fingers.
But this is no horror movie. Earthlings is real.
The opposite approach to mine
Of the compliments people sometimes give me about this site, one of the more common is, "I like that you promote vegetarianism without being preachy."
That's no accident. When I became vegetarian, I came more from a place of "vegetables are cool because they make you healthier" than of "meat is evil because animals die." I'm not here to tell you about all the wrong you're doing when you eat meat; I'd rather tell you how eating plants can help you run faster and farther than you've ever thought possible.
And that's not going to change.
I'm not going to attempt to describe the gruesome scenes in Earthlings. But having suffered through an hour and a half of the most sickening footage I've ever seen, I realize that there's tremendous power in the shock-and-awe approach.
For that reason I'm linking to the trailer here; you can choose to watch it if you'd like. There's some extremely graphic animal violence—some of you won't be able to even finish the trailer. I didn't my first time.
Why watch something you know is awful?
Because it will make you care. And really caring about something, I'm discovering, feels good.
I feel as if some part of me died while I watched Earthlings last night.
I'm talking about part of me that, consciously or unconsciously, has chosen to ignore what goes on in the food industry and others like it that treat living beings as a product.
I'm talking about a naive belief that we as humans are being fairly responsible in the way we treat others in our position as rulers of the earth.
And when that part of me died, another part awoke. A part that wants to work hard to create change in the face of overwhelming, appalling misuse of the power we have over the other thinking, feeling beings with whom we share the planet.
Who should watch it?
If you've thought about becoming vegetarian but it just seems too hard, you should watch it.
If you're vegetarian (like me) and think you're already doing enough, you should watch it.
If you're vegan and you want to strengthen your conviction and motivate yourself to do even more, you should watch it.
But what about meat eaters?
It has been said that if we had to kill our own meat, all of us would be vegetarian. Watching this movie isn't far from that.
If you eat some meat but do so in as responsible a manner as possible, making sure to get your food from sources that you know treat animals with respect, then I hope watching this makes you more passionate about that cause.
If you eat lots of meat, don't care much about animals, and are happy with that, watching Earthlings will probably make you less so. (Why are you reading this blog though?) If your goal is to stay as you are in an ignorance-is-bliss approach, then you should not watch it.
But I hope you do anyway. And I hope you share it with someone else.
If you watch the trailer and decide you'd like to watch the whole thing, you can get more info at Earthlings.com. The entire movie is available for free as a Google video (thanks @VegBassist for this). I'd recommend the DVD though, since if all it took were a mouse click to turn it off, I wouldn't have made it 15 minutes.
And thanks to Melissa and Lisa for making me aware of Earthlings in their comments on my how to give up meat post. I can't believe this thing was not on my radar until now.
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I literally just cried watching that…ugh. I'm not sure I could make it through the movie. I can't believe some of the awful things people do to animals. Just terrible. I saw this article on CNN this morning- thought it would interest you: http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/04/14/us.beef.testing/index.html?hpt=T2
.-= Erica´s last blog ..Weekend & Cinnamon Walnut Apple Bread =-.
Thanks for the link, Erica. As if we needed another reason, right?
I eat a lot of vegetarian meals, but I'm definitely a meat eater and see no problem with that. While I prefer not to kill animals myself, I try to eat local where the meat is cleaner, the animals are treated better, and it doesn't take nearly as much effort to get the meat to me.
.-= Blaine Moore´s last blog ..Should You Stretch Before A Run? (Part 2) =-.
Blaine, thanks for this comment. In my post-Earthlings zeal while writing this post, I grouped all meat-eaters together, forgetting that there are some (like you) who eat meat as responsibly as is possible. I've since changed that part of the post to reflect this, thanks to your comment. While there are many people who will never giving up meat entirely, I think there's a realistic chance that one day a lot of people might care enough to ensure that what they eat gets on their plate as painlessly as possible.
I think the biggest hurdle to having large numbers of people one day eat this way is that not many people are passionate about spreading the idea. It seems like there are lots of people who say they care about ethical treatment of their food, but in the moment of purchasing it, it comes down to convenience and price. Those who are passionate about it probably tend to keep going and become vegetarian or vegan, and spread that message instead. Luckily, Michael Pollan is an exception; he eats meat that's produced in a more-ethical, sustainable manner, and his message is reaching millions of conscious eaters.
I feel this way too. I am a meat eater as well and probably will always be. In my home we eat meat and dairy from farms where the animals are treated humanely and able to live free range. These pigs, cows, chickens etc. are able to express their full "pigness" and the like and most are coming from local farms that I can actually check into. For me it more of an issue of putting healthy food in our bodies (we also buy organic as much as possible), but I also do not think it right for animals to be treated horribly, just to put food on my plate. I intend to watch this movie, and while I do not think I will be a vegetarian by doing so, I think it will just continue to help me to stand strong in my decision to choose to support and put the word out about buying from farms that are being responsible!
I had an odd reaction today in whole foods – I've been vegan for 3 years, but construction going on at whole foods forced me into the meat department on my way to get some tempeh. I have memories of how it used to smell, but today it made me gag. I literally had to hot-foot it out of there lest I make an unpleasant mess on the floor. I have noticed in the last couple of years that my hearing, vision and sense of smell have improved – and apparently I'm now smelling what a room full of dead animals actually smells like. Yuck.
Both your comments are so valid, and prove that people do try to be more ethical about their food choices, which is better than 99% of the population who don't care about their battery chicken-laid eggs or the factory farmed pigs. But I think what Earthlings was trying to so eloquently convey; is that each earthling (human, animal) is a sentient creature which wants to live. Unfortunately even on the most ethical farms around; all animals are trucked and slaughtered, horrifically, the same, by people who at times indulge in pleasure of harming the animal and at worse is indifferent to their obvious suffering. It is a process which until you've witnessed it – you wouldn't believe. If these acts would be perfomed on a dog or cat it would be classified as cruelty to animals and the person could be prosectured. I think Earthling's point was HOW we view animals, why are some pets and some food? Loved the moby soundtrack BTW
Wow. I know this is an old post, but I just read it and watched the video tonight. How upsetting. I have watched some PETA videos before, but this was the worst I've ever seen. I can't stop crying
How horribly heartbreaking. I am not a vegetarian, but have tried in the past. I have always had trouble with hypoglycemia also and went back to meat for the protein. It is so much easier to stay ignorant to this issue. What can we do to change things?? I'd like to spread the word on Facebook or something, but also feel like I will upset people and they'll think I'm preaching.
Christa, you can share that sort of thing without being preachy. You don't have to write "Here's why you shouldn't eat meat." Just say you can't believe how awful this is.
Ok, I couldn't even finish watching the trailer…that was horrifying. One more film that makes me proud of my lifestyle
.-= Danielle (Coffee Run)´s last blog ..Habit tracker =-.
Now, that I'm done crying over that trailer. I'm more inclined to give up meat again for good. It's hard for me at times, but I think I could do it after seeing how so many animals are treating around the world. Thank you for sharing.
I only last 55 seconds into that tailer. I don't think I could handle the movie. It makes me proud that I have been a vegetarian for nearly 10 years but it still makes me sad that animals are treated so poorly.
.-= Whitney @ Lettuce Love´s last blog ..Type It, Don’t Write It =-.
1 – that is definitely one of the main reasons I love your blog. You are yourself, and not preachy, just you. Please don't change that
2 – I laughed at the "then why are you reading this blog"
3 – I have the video open, but I can't bring myself to hit play after your disclaimer…
I watched most of the movie after having to stop the trailer because I was sobbing…. at work. For those not willing to watch the movie after the trailer please know that it is a well done documentary, and even though there are some scenes that are incredibly difficult to watch it is worth your effort. I forgot who said it (apologies to the speaker, and I paraphrase), but we "cannot turn our eyes away from what their bodies must endure".
You might be interested in seeing an interview that the director gave about the film. It's really quite informative and his outlook is uplifting about what we can all do to help nature, animal and humankind. It's in two parts, here's the link for part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaPf-W0hOF4
I'm with Danielle – a proud keeper of the veggie lifestyle!
I take your approach too–I don't preach about how animals are killed/tortured, but instead promote plant-based, whole food eating. Question: Is it just me, or does anyone else find eating dairy worse than eating meat (morally?)? Is it worse to know that cows are being milked to death for people who consume dairy, rather than to end the suffering and comsume their meat (at least they aren't suffering)?
.-= Mario´s last blog ..Banana-Berry Almond Super Smoothie =-.
Great point, Mario. In fact, that was one of the big things I took away from the film. They said many milk cows live only 4 years (as opposed to the 20 that some cows live) before they collapse from exhaustion. And then they become hamburgers anyway.
Hi…was looking for a "coconut rice" recipe and found your site.
Dairy has one special componet that makes it the most cruel and that is the separation of baby and mother at birth. They do this because we take the milk that would normally go to the calf…so they are separated forever. The baby calves, often just days old, are often sent to the slaughterhouse. They are called "Bob veal". They are often so young, they cannot even stand up. The mothers often bello for days or try to hide their babies from being taken away from them. Meanwhile, this happens over and over..impregnation, birth, taking their babies and then sent to veal crates or directly to the slaughterhouse.
It truly could be the worse form of animal agriculture out there for these reasons.
I totally agree. Reading about the separation of mothers and babies and how the mothers cry for days and the babies are made into veal is the main reason I went vegan after being a lacto-ovo vegetarian for more than a decade. It is SO wrong and sad. Separating mothers and babies of any species is one of the most evil things we could possibly do.
I'm trying to work up the courage to watch this… I've seen Food, Inc. and just finished the book "Eating Animals" and am so so revolted by the farming industry! I was hoping they'd strengthen my conviction to become vegetarian and they did just that though, so I'm happy I put myself through it.
.-= Catherine´s last blog ..Sushi time! =-.
I commend you whole-heartedly for doing what I haven't been able to do, which is watch this film. I know I said the other day that I have made a deal with myself that I don't have to watch it as long as I'm vegan, but after reading your response to the movie, I am now considering going back on that deal.
If I can find the strength to sit through the film, perhaps I can become a better animal activist. Reading the words that describe what happens in the meat/dairy/egg industries inspired me to give up those products. But I do believe that if I actually look at the images, I will be inspired to do more every day, in trying to bring about change in this world.
It's a hard thing to do though. To press play when you know the horrors that you will then witness.
Thank you for sharing this with your readers.
.-= Melissa´s last blog ..Mug the First. =-.
Good post. I watched this film quite a while ago, and while many of the disturbing images have now been forgotten, there are a few that are surely burned in my memory. I watched it after I had decided to go vegan and it definitely strengthened my conviction there. I think it's well worth seeing for anyone who is even a bit curious about animal use in agriculture (& other industries). It's tough, though. Really tough.
.-= Kate´s last blog ..In which I am Awkward =-.
This is so weird because it's totally in line with what I posted today. Food is so important and such a cultural thing that I cannot believe how people just turn a blind eye to so many issues with the industry.
I, too, try not to be a preachy vegetarian (there's enough out there) but I will not put up with ignorance.
Kudos to you for opening your eyes and making it through (most of it, at least). It's amazing to me how many people just don't want to know what they're eating/wearing. …and how about that circus footage?!
Believe it or not, Earthlings did not make me cry. I was sick to my stomach, but no tears. On the other hand, a movie that takes a different approach and makes me cry *every single time* I watch it: Year of the Dog. It's an animal-rights movie with the facade of a romantic comedy. I highly recommend it to the people that don't have the iron-stomach for Earthlings.
I couldn't even make it through the trailer!
My vegetarianism (although I'm in the process of becoming vegan) definitely stemmed from a concern for our bodies and environment then animal rights place as well. But you really cannot excuse that kind of extreme cruelty towards any living creature.
Just watching the small bit of the trailer really solidifies my choice to live the kindest and most honest lifestyle that I can.
no offense because you know i love your site, but NO WAY am i watching that trailer let alone the dvd. you scared me enough in your post.
i dont do what i do because of the idea of animals dying because lets be honest, even the (some) dinosaurs were meat eaters ;o) However i DO take issue with factory type 'growing' of animals and the conditions they are in (which can lead to AWFUL things in what we buy etc), and that they are fed things that arent natural for them, just to make them bigger, faster…
no way.. no way i can watch it.
The cows on a factory farm raised for food don't live very long either. I get that some people don't want to watch movies like this but it's what is going on out there. Until we watch some or all of these types of things we won't make a change in our lives.
.-= JoLynn-dreaminitvegan´s last blog ..!!! TWEET NOW for FARM SANCTURARY !!! =-.
Wow that trailer makes me want to see it. As a part-time vegan, I definitely think that it's important to be aware of the impact of humans on animal life and the environment… which is why I think that if we're going to eat animal products (which I do), we should choose animal products from local small businesses.
And I love your approach to vegetarianism- I totally agree with your sentiment that veggies are healthy and cool, rather than the notion of "meat is evil".
.-= Sagan´s last blog ..The Living Healthy in the Real World Guide to Budgeting, Part Five: Fitting in Exercise =-.
WOW. Completely sobbing. I don't understand how anyone could ever watch this and eat a bite of meat again. Tempted to watch the whole movie, but very nervous that it will have lasting emotional damage.
.-= Emily M.´s last blog ..Sugar Shaping and Fruit Tarts. =-.
As a person who loves animals (as I assume many people here do), personally I believe watching the movie honors the lives of exploited animals, a bit. Whether you are a veggie or not – not watching it is a victory for those industries that perpetuate such abuse. I prefer to not let that be so.
Instead, think of your arduous efforts of watching it as a small, albeit profound, victory and gratitude for those animals. I could not watch the entire movie all at once, so I watched the movie in three pieces.
Honestly, I just watched the trailer and started crying. I don't think that I could make it through the video. I'm forwarding this link to everyone I know. Thank you.
.-= Nicole @ Geek Turned Athlete´s last blog ..Paris Marathon 2010 Recap =-.
I've seen some really horrible things, done both to animals and people. In real life, and on film.
Nothing has ever affected me the way that poor fox did, after they skinned it alive and it looked at the camera. I started sobbing uncontrollably and gagging.
I don't know if I'll ever be able to get up the courage to watch the documentary, but if that's the kind of stuff that's going on and I don't know about it…I need to watch it.
Thanks for posting this. I really didn't know much about it, but now that I do, I can't ignore it.
Cady, seeing the fox skinned alive is one of the images that sticks in my head. The most powerful one, for me, is the dog being thrown into the garbage truck like a piece of trash. And the shot of its sad face as the hatch shuts before it is compacted or whatever happens to it. It's hard for me to even type this.
Both of those images and others are stuck in my head as well. I saw the film the wee hours of the morning on January 4, 2011. I am vegan now and as I told my wife that day, "without compromise." Besides the graphic abuse, what gets me is how a human being can put aside any and all compassion and love and treat living beings as we witnessed? I admit that I felt anger towards the workers and wished the lion that got slapped in the face would have slapped the guy with his giant paw and claws. But, someone pointed out that they are victims of the factory farm complex too – that it's reduced them to such acts.
Most of the people I encounter, apart from my family and a select few of my more empathetic friends think I am a 'freak' for being a vegan, and most of my work colleagues (doctors) insinuate that I have some sort of eating disorder (veganism is comparatively rare in the U.K., where I constantly come across the attitude that I must only eat salad and my own fingernails for fuel), but, after what I have just seen I simply just. don't. care. I only minded a little before, now I don't at all. I don't care if I am a little more restricted in what I can do, eat and wear if I have, in the past few years, and can, in the future somehow contribute just a tiny bit in ameliorating some of these horrible, ingrained practices. Thank you for posting this, and devoting the time that you must expend on this blog, for being such a great model and source of encouragement/inspiration for all of us. I wish I was in the U.S. so I could proudly buy and wear my very own 'No Meat Athlete' t-shirt! (So sorry for the essay-style comment!)
From everyone's comments (um, crying at work!?) I am scared to watch even the trailer now.
I am on the fence about watching something that will make me want to give up dairy as I have only recently discovered that more protein helps stabilize my blood sugar. I don't want animals to be tortured, but I don't want to go to a place that makes it hard for me to be healthy.
Can't decide…
.-= Runeatrepeat´s last blog ..Pizza Cookie =-.
Hi RER, in my humble opinion I think the protein notion is a common misunderstanding, even for myself previously. I think much of it comes from the very powerful factory farming industries, who of course have their own agenda.
Based on my slowly but steadily growing knowledge of nutrition, I've made-do with brown rice, non-gmo soy [milk and tofu], quinoa, and a variety of legumes while transitioning to and now as a vegan.
My initial skepticism of nutrition deficiency [esp protein] were quickly thrown out the window when I learned about vegan athletes and bodybuilders. Definitely look up Robert Cheeke, Mike Mahler, and Rob Bigwood. Although personally I don't care to be 200-300 lbs of lean muscle, learning about these three people helped me quickly throw out any skepticism about protein.
Lastly, understand that just like other aspects in life, trying to become vegan is not an end that we must force ourselves to reach. Rather, consider it a self-paced journey and adventure in which you will slowly and naturally become passionate about. Similar to Matt's vegetarianism journey and vegan aspirations, that he kindly shares [thanks Matt!].
All the best!
My protein concerns are not founded in anything else besides my own discovery of my body's reaction to increased protein and less carbs. I think I have blood sugar issues and have a history of binge eating when I eat a carb/fruit/veggie based diet that's lacking in fat and protein.
But, I will examine more vegan protein options now
.-= Runeatrepeat´s last blog ..Pizza Cookie =-.
I think you'll find that if you eat a lot of beans (black, pinto, kidney, chickpeas, black eyed etc) and legumes (peas, lentils of all sorts) you'll do fine for protein. Then there's always edamame and tempeh (and tofu, and soymilk though those are more processed) If you feel you need more than you can get that way, you can supplement with pea or hemp protein, which are great vegan options.
Okay, I'm back. I watched the trailer. Thanks for posting it. I have some thinking to do…
.-= Runeatrepeat´s last blog ..Pizza Cookie =-.
Thanks for sharing this! I actually made it through almost the whole trailer but was crying too much and stopped it.
I also refuse to be one of those preachy vegans because I have received such negative responses to my diet choices and still feel judged so frequently and I don't want to be the one to put anyone else through that.
I do also understand some people make ethical choices and choose free range and organic meats, but I cannot forgive when people turn a blind eye to what DOES go on in the industry, whether they are buying the product or not. Sadly, this also makes me question what kind of race we are as humans. The people in the video are absolute monsters, and while I don't want to push my views on people, I do think I need to do more to increase awareness. So step 1) gain some confidence and share this with people even if I get some bad reactions, 2) get myself a no meat athlete tshirt
I agree with the preaching. I think the reason people don't want to be preached is their misconception that a plant-based diet is simply boring salads & steamed veggies. People think if they have to resort to that, it'll ruin their current good thing – meat. [I used to think this way.]
Therefore, I think the best way to go about our crusade is to simply be generous. Surprise your colleagues with tasty vegan food in the break-room, every now and then. Bring cookies and treats to a child's athletic event for the entire team and their families. People love free food, so spoil them. After some time when they realize they don't have to sacrifice taste, they'll be curious to ask the questions and be more open to listen and understand.
I stopped eating meat both because of the healthy aspect & cruelty of animals. I'm one of the few 16 year olds that don't pig out on junk food and I love knowing i'm doing my body good when I give it good fuel. I love to run, I love & respect nature and its creatures. I watched the trailer for Earthlings and cried. My peers that don't understand why I do this, need to watch even just the trailer. I'm not going to tell anyone how to live their life or judge them, but I guess this can explain my own thought-process. Maybe one day, I'll watch the whole film..
Congrats on being a sixteen year old and understanding! And kudos for being a runner – Matt has so many good articles on being a vegan runner here.
I made it in about 20 minutes into the movie and had to stop because I was crying so hard, that I couldn't even see the screen anymore. And Congrats Lexi!!!! I'm 17 and vegan, and i know exactly what you mean about feeling good about eating good food!! I love to run too, and before I was vegan I got really bad chest pains, but now, they are gone!
I dont want to tell anyone how to live their life either, but sometimes it makes me really angry how little people know, and when you try and show/tell they freak out on you. I try really hard not to preach, but it kills me to know, that no matter what, some people just dont care…
[...] I apprehensively watched the trailer that Matt posted the other day. Please read his post before doing [...]
Me and my boyfriend watched this after I read your post, and I was crying so hard the whole way through, but I felt it was important to see it, and for him to see it. Does anyone think it's wrong to recommend it to others?
I told my friend it's a good idea to watch it and she said "If it makes me not want to eat chicken, I'll have no part in it" as if it's a joke, and what do you say to that? Once you have all this information, and have seen these things, this disgusting footage, it's frustrating for people to think of animal cruelty as a joke, or want to ignore it and pretend like it doesn't happen
Sam, I am generally accepting of meat-eaters too (if I weren't, I wouldn't have many friends!). But like you, when people think it's a joke and that eating lots of meat is in some way funny, I get pissed off. I think even if Earthlings doesn't convert everyone, it will at least raise the awareness and make people realize that the suffering we're causing animals isn't funny.
[...] I'm moving that way though. I blame Earthlings. [...]
When you first posted this article, I watched the trailer and stopped there. Just now, I watched the entire film. It's a difficult one to stomach, and as someone who's currently flexitarian, it certainly makes the choice of eating meat (at the very least, factory-farmed meat) difficult to justify. Why on earth would I want to eat something that lived under those conditions? Why on earth would I want to support such cruelty?
oooomg. the trailer. i want to kill myself. wttf!!!!!!!!!! i feel so hopeless
Hello there.I think this is the first time i leave a comment here,but not the first time I read your blog!I have been a vegetarian for more than half my life now, when I decided I did not want to eat dead animals, I did because to me "it felt natural".It was "me".And this is me, and it is so difficult to explain to other people, because I don't think that everybody should go vegetarian,my husband eats meat and if it is ok with him, I can understand.But for me it is not…So when people start asking me why I don't eat meat, when they start asking me if I had any trauma with animals when I was a kid, when they try to convince me that I should try and eat meat, this gets on my nerves… Sorry for this loooong comment which maybe has no reason to be, but after watching the trailer… gosh.
Wow, the trailer nearly reduced me to tears. My husband and I made a conscious decision just over a year ago to start limiting our meat consumption to include only animal products that are locally and humanely produced. I think that this is a very important documentary for the people who still think that meat is a "requirement" at every meal and the cheaper the better…after seeing just the trailer, I can't help but be shocked at people who think animals have no feelings and are just there for our enjoyment.
[...] Earthlings – by No Meat Athlete Animal rights and Vegetarianism – by Happy Cow Related Posts [...]
I almost cried just reading this post. I am in therapy, and I'm not going to watch the trailer or film. However, I have read enough and heard enough about factory farming to understand how disturbing it is (I'm a strict vegetarian). Thank you for sharing this. I'm going to post it to my FB account.
I just watched this movie this weekend. WOW. I gave up meat the day I watched food inc feb 1, 2010. Also Fast Food Nation too…… this movie goes even further to my convictions
I cannot bring myself to watch this trailer. I know I will be scarred for life seeing any animal being treated badly.
I am re-thinking the possibility of becoming a vegetarian, again. I stopped about a year ago when I moved to Chicago…. I had one Chicago hot dog and was hooked. But before then I was a vegetarian/ trying to go vegan.
Reading the Book Skinny Bitch & Food Inc and other various books on what kind of foods we eat really make you think about what you are putting into your body.
For the last few months I have been trying to burry those horrid thoughts of "where does my food come from"… and eat meat. But once I start thinking about it I get very disgusted.
I'm training for my first marathon and was worried if I went veggie I wouldn’t get all the nutrition I needed… but looking more into it, it seems very do-able.
Thank you for posting this, I have put the link on my Facebook page to help spread the word…. although I am not demanding anyone to watch it. It's their choice, as it is mine too.
I don't know if I can watch it…I just saw the trailer… made me sick
just found your site…nice work
Wow. Do not watch this while on lunch at work. We've been buying local, ethically raised meat, poultry, and eggs for quite some time now. I've been skating on the edge of becoming vegetarian, and between being halfway through The Food Revolution and that trailer, I'm convinced-I will not be watching that movie. Today is Day One.
Thank you!
Elizabeth, I came across this film in the wee hours of January 4th. I became vegan right then and there, and have not looked back.
Wow i made it 20 minutes through the film and had to cut it off. I always knew animals were butchered but I had no idea they went through so much torment. It is seriously satanic what they do to animals it makes me wonder. The only meat I ate today was fish and that was before the video. I'm going to do my best not to eat meat anymore I really don't know if I can. I just can't look at it the same ever again after watching this video.
Yeah, it's definitely not my favorite way to spread the ideas of being vegetarian and vegan, but for some people (me included), seeing gruesome images is effective. I think it played a part in my going vegan, eventually.
I just finished watching this a little while ago and this review sums up exactly what I'm thinking and feeling right now. I'm simply horrified. Heartbroken. And so hurt for those poor defenseless animals. 15 minutes into the film I thought I would regurgitate the dinner I had just eaten. When I tried to look away my boyfriend told me "we have to watch this," though he was just as sickened and appalled. 20 minutes into the film, the meat lover that he is (was)… declared he was NEVER eating meat again. We don't know what we are going to do with all the meat and dairy we JUST bought at the market today, which we can't even look at and not see the horrors we just witnessed… But we do know we can't continue to be ignorant.
Sandy, throw it away. What's important is that, having learned the truth, you've chosen to keep your humanity, and that's infinitely more important. Kudos to you.
The documentary "Earthlings" is life-changing. To continue to eat meat, knowing how it's produced, is either to be devoid of humanity or to be living in denial. If I'm being "preachy," so be it. However, I'm the first to admit that I'm in no position to preach to others, since it has taken me a long time to do what's right, and become a vegetarian.
Most disconcerting is the fact that most religions of the world (with the exception of some of the Vedic traditions of India) have nothing to say about this, or prefer to sweep it under the rug. There's little doubt that we live in an extremely violent society, and the way we treat other living, conscious beings, and the natural environment, attests to that. Moreover, the inefficiency of meat production as a way of feeding people, and its effects on the environment are by now beyond debate.
This is a great Web site. Keep up the good work.
For many of us who have been brought up on meat, going without it is pretty hard, simply because we don't have access to good vegetarian meals, and don't know how to cook vegetarian ourselves. Being a vegetarian involves more than fixing a typical American meal, and just leaving out the meat. For those of you guys who live in a larger metropolitan area, I would suggest that you find out whether there is a Hare Krishna restaurant. Those people really know how to cook vegetarian, and once you've eaten a meal with them, you'll wonder why you ever found meat palatable. They've also published a variety of excellent cookbooks, which you can find on Amazon. Three of them are (1) "The Hare Krishna Book of Vegetarian Cooking," (2) "Great Vegetarian Dishes," and (3) "Lord Krishna's Cuisine." If you happen to live in the LA area, there are two excellent restaurants, one in Culver City, and the other in Laguna Beach. Both have not only great food, but a great environment.
I'm not a Hare Krishna myself, but I truly admire them, simply because, unlike most "religions," they really take vegetarianism seriously, and recognize a spiritual mandate to give up meat.
Hello – I just found this blog today. I am going to watch the movie tomorrow night with two girlfriends. I have seen the trailer and it was the most powerful emotion experience I have ever been through from a movie trailer. Even now, I can think of it and I cry and tears come rolling down my face. It is so horrible and needless to be so cruel. I feel heartbroken, ashamed and angry.
I am reminded of a short story called "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas" by Ursual Leguin. This is a summary from Wikipedia:
In the story, Omelas is a utopian city of happiness and delight, whose inhabitants are smart and cultured. Everything about Omelas is pleasing, except for the city's one atrocity: the good fortune of Omelas requires that a single unfortunate child be kept in perpetual filth, darkness and misery, and that all her citizens should be told of this upon coming of age.
After being exposed to the truth, most of the people of Omelas are initially shocked and disgusted, but are ultimately able to come to terms with the fact and resolve to live their lives in such a manner as to make the suffering of the unfortunate child worth it. However, a few of the citizens, young and old, silently walk away from the city, and no one knows where they go. The story ends with "The place they go towards is a place even less imaginable to us than the city of happiness. I cannot describe it at all. It is possible it does not exist. But they seem to know where they are going, the ones who walk away from Omelas."
I think by being vegan we are the "ones who walk away"…by choosing not to participate. I think, like in the fictional Omelas, all of us should see this movie and "look upon the child getting kicked in the filth" – then what is possible? I think it would not be allowed to continue.
For the sake of everything we aspire to be and sadly are not yet…look.
I agree that the best way to educate others is to not be preachy and cook nice things and show people how good vegan food can be! The food I've been cooking up is fantastic!!!! Nowadays I think it is easier than ever because there are many products available to help you transition!
I went vegan three months now and I'm loving the journey. Growing up I thought being vegan was eating lettuce. I came at it from a "plants are good" angle, not the animal cruelty angle.
I got started with a book called the "21-Day Kickstart" by Dr. Neil Barnard. I have also recently read "The China Study" by Dr. Colin Cambell and his son, Thomas (I think). I mention these books because for some of you that are worried about protein, blood sugar levels, etc. the evidence is there that plant-based protein (beans and veggies) is not only good for you, but life-saving and life-lengthening.
A great movie just came out called "Forks over Knives" — it very nicely explains the research (link between animal protein and diseases of affluence) and findings and you also get to see several people in the movie lose weight and stop taking drugs/insulin for heart disease, diabetes, etc.! It's a wonderful movie. I love the part where a guy (vegan) is a fireman and he is climbing up a pole with only his arms chanting, "real – men – eat – plants!"
Anyway – I've written too much! Peace to all of you! If you aren't vegan and thinking about it – read the "21-Day Kickstart" — you jump in with great recipes and after 21 days….how do you feel? I felt great and have never looked back!
Yep, I was a vegetarian for two years when I watched Earthlings (I had read a lot about animal rights but never seen a documentary about it). One week later I went vegan and haven't looked back since!
I clutched my cats dearly to get me through the tough parts of the film. And I still kick myself that it took me so long to realize where milk comes from! Good on you for making the effort to get through the film Matt. "We must not refuse to see with our eyes what they must endure with their bodies"…Gretchen Wyler
I did NOT make it through the trailer and am not sure if I can make it through the entire movie. I'm sitting here with tears pouring down my face. THIS is why I'm vegan. Sure it's for health reasons too, of course. It started out that way but now it's become so much more. Thank you for sharing this. I've chosen to share it as well and am quite positive I will get much criticism for it. I don't care. People need to know the truth. Even if it is just ONE, JUST ONE, person, corporation or farm that treats their animals that way…it needs to be known.
After being a vegetarian for 6 years and vegan for 6 months I finally worked up the courage to watch Earthlings with my husband and bestie. Am so glad we did. Us girls were sobbing in parts and had to pause for a few breaks, but none of us wish we hadn't witnessed it. It had a profound effect on both my husband and best friend who now are very interested in a vegan diet.
This film needs to be witnessed, and shared. If people continue to eat milk, drink dairy, go to a circus or buy designer dogs from breeders then they need to be aware of the facts and we all have a responsibility to get this very strong message out into the world. I think it was Peter Singer who exressed this very poignant thought "if it is not nice to us to think about – what must it be like for an animal to experience it?"
On the up side there was a haunting soundtrack by Moby and a beautiful joaquin pheonix narrating
Oh my God.. I'm 13 years old and have been an in and off vegetarian because I just loved the taste of meat. I got about half way through the trailer and I was sobbing!! When the cow went through that thing.. It's making me vomit just thinking about it! And the fox being skinned alive.. and that dog being stepped on and crushed. I can literally feel the acids in my stomach coming up! Now.. I will have no problem with never eating meat again. in fact.. I'm NEVER using any animal products again!
Omg, that movie is horrible, I couldn't even watch half of the trailer, those poor animals. I kinda want to go vegetarian more so for health reasons..but I think that is really cruel the way people treat animals. Im sure there are more less abusive ways to kill them.
you people need to know that not all farms are this wat to the dairy cow, yeah but of course you see it at its worst and that must be how evything works huh..
yeah i take it back, that it the most fed up stuff i havr ever seen. i am an animal love (not kidding) and most of the thing being done in that are not forgivable it is purly disgusting. i take offence to the dairy aspect of it, i am a 100% farm boy and have been involved with the familt farm for a long time and i have never see such abuse in my life. my parents raised me and my brother to be kind to all animals we never hunted or any of that crap and i used to get in fights in high school cause i would get so pissed at the kids how thought it was funny to torture cats and dogs, this is sickening to watch, and sadly it is all true fing sick but true.. i always thought if you can torture an animal you could to it to a human. they should all be put away for good. sorry to say though i will never give up beef, we raise organic dairy and only eat what we butcher i will not even think of getting somthing from the store that has been put throught that.
Still haven't been able to watch this movie – have it bookmarked. Want to go vegetarian but not quite there yet. My biggest struggle is figuring out what meals to prepare and cook. Don't know of a whole lot of resources for nutritious and delicious veggie food. Guess that's why I'm looking on your site