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Long time, no video! I’ve been wanting to experiment a little so here is one. Last week in the videoblogging video conference, Jan suggested making advertisements for things you’re interested in. To me it sounded like the kinds of “ads” I see in Adbusters. Anyway, the other day we were dropping Lauren off at a horse riding summer camp and we kept passing cows along the way. As I was videotaping these guys the song “Meat Is Murder” by The Smiths came to mind. The words to the song are pretty heavy-handed but I think it makes a good video.
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I have to say that I’m actually a big fan of steak.
The title card at the end sort of implies that if people know they have a choice they’re going to choose to not eat meat. I don’t think that’s the case at all.
That actually made me a little sad to be a carnivore. Just a little, but sad nonetheless. My fiance has been a vegetarian for 11 years, and I am in awe of her will power. I guess it isn’t really will power at this point, but I just don’t know how she does it.
I disagree. I don’t think that is what it implies. It was meant as a notice/reminder that you have a choice. Often when people ask me about being a vegetarian they seem to have the belief that it’s “not healthy” or that “you need to eat meat.” This was meant to address that.
well.. it’s good that it worked and caused a little debate/rethinking.. but being the theoretical geek i am i was actually more interested in the whole ‘using commercial music’ discussion that came up in the conference a couple of weeks back… i think it’s one of those situations where the text in the post is crucial for contextualing the video, the fact that the inspiration was a memory of a song in a situation makes it all come together as a personal expression, (i.e. it’s not just a short music video) .. oh.. it was also a pretty cool loooking video..and great timing on the dramatic ending!
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It was eating to many of those cows that got me into the 30 lb. club. Freakin’ fat ass cows made me fat.
That’s cool you are a vegetarian. Didn’t know that about you. I couldn’t do it. I like meat too much.
A
Great Commercial. It definitely MOOOved me.
We have a cow and if someone offered me a million dollars today for her, to eat her, they’d be lucky if they made it off of my property alive.
i think if someone today, came onto my property, and offered me a million dollars to share a sandwich, i would impale them. but that’s just me.
just kidding.
your cows speak many words, my friend.
Definately made me want to head off to McDonalds … just kidding … nice video, cool effect
So I assume then that you and your family don’t wear or use anything that is made from animals, such as leather. (Belts, purses, wallets, shoes etc.) I also assume you make sure you don’t use any products that have been tested on animals. (Cosmetics, hair products, medicines, etc.) Is that correct?
Additionally if we all have a choice when it comes to eating meat, when raising your children, when they were old enough, I assume you gave them the opportunity to eat meat and educated them on both sides of the issue objectively and allowed them to make up their own minds on whether or not they wanted to be vegetarians and that if one of them wanted to be a carnivore that you would have supported them fully. Is that correct?
Nice use of video to convey your point of view.
Hey Joe (The Brother),
You know what bugs me? It’s when people ask questions to which they already know the answers. It’s usually done to imply that the person they are questioning is hiding some bit of information that is damaging or embarrising. Both you and I know that isn’t the case here so for the sake of the other readers I’ll indulge you. First let me reiterate a point from the text that accompanies this video. I said, “The words to the song are pretty heavy-handed.” In other words I think they go too far. What I mean by this is that human beings are omnivorous by nature and therefor, I believe, it can’t be wrong for us to eat meat. But, like I point out in the video, we all have a choice. So in my case I do what I feel I can. I don’t eat meat – beef, pork, chicken, seafood, any animal. I do eat dairy products and I do own a few pieces of leather (belt, wallet, pair of shoes, and a hand-me-down jacket). So what is the point you’re trying to make with your accusatory assumption? Am I a hypocrite because I put a slice of cheese on my veggieburger? Please. Being unable to follow a strict vegan diet should I just say “Fuck all this vegetarian stuff! Give me a steak.” It seems by your logic this is what I should do. This way there would be no inconsistency on my part. I know that some people prefer to look at the world this way – in terms of black and white, good guys and bad guys. It’s comforting. Easy. Our President likes to think like this. The problem is that this isn’t how the world works. It’s full of gray areas. And in the end, forcing things to be either black or white just makes you look stupid and ineffectual.
Then you want to talk about raising children. This one makes me laugh. Someone always brings this up. The thing is, if you think about it for a moment you’d see that the question implies a double standard. Parents make all kinds of decisions for their children. That’s what parents do. It’s our responsibility as a parent to do these things. Do you give your children the option of being a vegetarian? The answer to that is no. Do you educate them objectively about both sides (as if there are only two sides) of the issue and let them make up their own minds about it? Again the answer here is no. When my daughters are old enough to be responsible for handling their diet (selecting, purchasing, and preparing their own food) they are more than welcome to choose to eat meat. But as long as it’s my responsibility, I’m providing vegetarian meals. Am I a bad parent for doing this? Obviously not. Like I said I make lots of decisions for my children. I decide when they should go to bed, where they should live, that should go to school and do their homework, and on and on and on. Thankfully I haven’t forced some religion on them (joke. sort of). I guess that’s a topic for another day.
Good response, Verdi. I was waiting for it.
Verdi – thanks for saying all that. I am a vegetarian too and hate it when folks try to make you look like an idiot for not walking the razor’s edge. To me the important part is my effort. I try to find non-leather shoes, belts, etc. Occasionally I fail. I have to have a few suits and ties, some of which are part silk. Wea aren’t perfect and can’t get it right all the time.
Folks often don’t understand that you can be healthy and not eat meat. A coworker was attacking me over this a few months ago, so I turned it around on her by asking her if she was really so limited that she couldn’t imagine not eating meat, if her horizons were really that closed in. It made her look like a dolt in the lunch room. She never bothered me again about it, and I can eat in peace again! I love when people are curious, but some people seem to be threatened by the idea. Weird.
Verdi! I totally didn’t know that you’re a vegetarian! Me too! (but I eat dairy and eggs too)
I love how videoblogging connects people, and this is one of those examples. It’s even sparked a nice little discussion here.
when i was strict vegan, i used to scoff at people who were former vegatarians who switched back because they liked meat.
i am now one of those people, doh! i really like meat. i also really like meat alternatives and the idea of no more meat that is factory farmed etc etc. no more fast food joints that farm the crap out of animals and land using resources that could be better utilized. i am still guilty in consuming these things. lots of things have to change for their to be alternatives on a mass scale, we can work towards those alternatives. jay and i ate at this vegan cafe the other night and i forgot how damn good vegan food could be! so good, so tasty. with no animal products.
no one is perfect, no one has the right answers but we can all work towards a better system, that’s for damn sure.
Isn’t it great how a simple little video can stir up so much debate, emotion, and provoke thought and analysis?