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this post was submitted on 07 Jan 2024
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Today I learned
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I think it's worth reflecting on why being human should even be a relevant metric here. That they are not human doesn't change what they feel. If they can suffer, as chickens and other farm animals very much can, why shouldn't we aim to prevent suffering?
Don't feel like you have to respond to this. I really just want you to reflect on that idea and think about it for yourself
You see, they don’t have souls bestowed upon them by the sky daddy, so they don’t count. You fool. You absolute buffoon. /s
This person has clearly never interacted with a bird before. These dinosaurs are clearly capable of thinking, feeling, and voicing their opinions. Of course, the same applies to farm mammals. Just because we're... More resourceful doesn't mean we have to subjugate everything that's "inferior" to us. That sounds like 'ye olde "they don't need equal rights because they're just savages".
All other species are inferior to humans. Period. In fact, the only reason that the statement "they don't need equal rights because they're savages" is so abhorrent is because it historically referred to humans.
Snakes in many cultures are seen as a literal embodiment of evil but we don't take issue with that because they're not people.
And what exactly makes humans superior? In a couple of hundred years we did what millenial cataclysms couldn't do. The human superiority will be in the fossil record as a microscopic toxic line. If anything we're the worst species that has ever emerged on this planet.
Snakes in many cultures are seen as the embodiment of wisdom. They also stabilize rodent populations for example and are hunted by raptors. If snakes disappear tomorrow, there goes your human superiority. See also Mao's war on sparrows and the millions starved after showing their superiority over the tiny birds.
I understand no argument would change your mind on the matters, especially on the Fediverse, but I really hope you read about this from different angles.
Humans are a unique and important species, and as the only ones to ever create the concept of rights we are the only ones who inherently deserve them. Giving them to other species should only be done if there are positive effects on us (banning cruelty against animals commonly kept as pets and preserving wild biodiversity are ideas I agree with)
If you believe all living things are equally deserving you better stop killing bugs. Sentience is not rigorously defined.