I watched a new show that I would like to share with you all. The TV Program is called "The Goode Family" and it is about a family obsessed with doing the "right" thing, whether it's environmentally, politically or socially.
If you're looking for a brief synopsis, here it is on YouTube ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4paOVdU5h8
Watch this clip and tell me what you think about their "Vegan" dog ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPP1SKizPys
What does that have to do with this blog? Did you watch the above clips? If you did, you will know about the family as well as their dog. The Goode Family dog is vegan and while I don't have an argument against feeding your dog vegan, it bothers me when people anthropomorphize animals.
Wikipedia states that Anthropomorphism is the attribution of uniquely human characteristics to non-human creatures and beings, natural and supernatural phenomena, material states and objects or abstract concepts ... Humans seem to have an innate capacity to project human characteristics in this way.
Why does this infuriate me so much? I don't know, but it does. I just want to shake the TV and tell Gerald that his dog is not "warning his little squirrel friend to be careful" ... he's trying to get a snack! Argh! *headdesk headdesk* I really do hope that this show wakes a few people up ... maybe that's too much to ask.
If you're looking for a good laugh, check it out. I know I will be! Who knows, you may really enjoy it. Laughter is, after all, the best medicine.
5 comments:
That looks hilarious!
Hmmm, I've been thinking about anthropomorphizing lately.
The only frame of reference we have is ourselves.
Is it that impossible to imagine that an animal can feel the same things as a human?
I don't think so.
It's being able to recognize what they are feeling that's key.
At least they aren't trying to make their cat vegan. That doesn't work so well.
It is possible to recognize emotions in one's animals, but to respect the animal for what it is instead of trying to humanize the animal. We just don't know what they are thinking or how they think so have to do the best we can.
When my dogs would see a squirrel, there was no doubt that they were thinking --food!
sagebeasties.blogspot.com
oldmorgans.blogspot.com
I absolutely refuse to start watching cartoons, again!!! I don't understand this trend at all...
Dog are carnivores. I have a huge problem with anyone who makes their dog eat a vegan diet.
GoLightly ...
I agree. I think yes, animals can feel things ... are they the same as humans? I don't think so. I would assume you have the same basic feelings going on there inside the doggie brain (happy, sad, angry, love, hate, etc) ... but to assume they have similar reasoning as humans is going a bit too far. Everything in its proper context. (Like the "squirrel friend" comment)
OldMorgans ...
Yeah - I've seen a few people who make their cat vegan. I really don't think cats can deal with that properly (though I'm not a nutritionist so can't really say for sure).
I like your comment "respect the animal for what it is instead of trying to humanize" ... nicely worded.
GSC ...
Cartoons are my lifeline! It's pretty well the only thing I watch on TV (other than AM News and two and a half men). (That being said, we still only watch about a half hour on the weekend days and an hour through the weekdays.)
noshoes ...
I know what you mean, though some people really want to be able to say their dog is vegan.
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