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01-31-03
I'd like to see it so that food was no longer necessary, and humans could "feed" off of water, sunlight, and chemicals found in the soil (strange wish for someone who wants to own a restaurant). But that's not the lot we're given. It has been necessary for our evolution that we eat meat; if we were vegetarians, we would not be what we are. If we were plants, we'd be far less than even that. Omnivores are proven repeatedly to be the most intelligent animals; there's a reason for it. Now, it might be possible at some point for us to biologically engineer ourselves so that we no longer need to kill anything to live, at which point we should do so. But as it is, until we do, I'm going to continue to make do with the situation as I can. While it's possible to live without meat, it's much more expensive. It also limits my options as far as flavor and texture go. Milk we can live without, but it tastes good, and is the only food we eat that doesn't inherently require that something die for it.
Now, I would like to see free-range meat become more dominant, and I think Americans and the First World should eat less of it (maybe one serving of meat a day), but I wouldn't get rid of it entirely. I'd also like to see certain species that are approaching true sentience, such as dolphins, apes, and possibly pigs, elephants, and dogs, put under protection so that they cannot be killed legally for anything but self-defense. Some day, any of these may evolve into the second truly sentient, intelligent species on this planet.
If I had one wish, though, I think I'd use it to abolish all corrupt governments. Every dictator, despot, monarch, and 'chairman' should be toppled. Only Republic- or Democratic- based governments should be allowed to exist. When people talk of the freedom of writing, speaking or thinking I cannot choose but laugh. No such thing ever existed. No such thing now exists; but I hope it will exist. But it must be hundreds of years after you and I shall write and speak no more.
- John Adams |