3 ms·

And what happens to cows, as a species, a few decades from now?

by shiven 9y ago

nilkn 9y ago
I don't fully understand what you're asking. Could you clarify? Are you suggesting they might go extinct? Or something else?
- reificator 9y ago
  Not the above poster, but relevant SMBC: https://www.smbc-comics.com/?id=3105 https://www.smbc-comics.com/?id=3105
  - j1elo 9y ago
    I can see how that mom in the comic would be a supporter of bullfighting - they tend to use similar justifications around the idea that, if it wasn't because the bull was raised and taken care (to ultimatelly be killed in the sports), it wouldn't have existed at all. I say that's BS, if you ask me.
- shiven 9y ago
  There is more than one question I am asking - (1). Is there any scientifically sound study proving that the quality of protein from plant sources is equivalent to or better than from dairy products? (2). Is there any reproducible, quantitative data on leaving milk producing cows to fend for themselves vs caring for them in small -to- mid size "cow caring" setups (farms, one-cow ops etc.)? I ask this because both my maternal and paternal grandparents had 1 to 3 milk producing cows at any given point in time - from what I recall, they were well cared for (food, medicine, weather etc.) (3). If we, as a species, were to stop consuming dairy products today, or cut consumption by, say 90% over the next year, what would become of the current cow population? How is that better than the current situation for the animals? I am personally, utterly and deeply biased towards the survive-and-let-survive school of life --- so take what I say colored by my very, very, un-apologetically biased PoV.
  - Lon7 9y ago
    If you are interested in these questions I think it will be worth it to spend some time and do a bit of research, no? You can look up Peter Singer and Yuval Noah Harari to start with and read what they have written about this. I mention them because they write well and mainly stick to scientifically supported ideas. I haven't decided where I stand on the issues yet, but with a little research it has become apparent that you can have a very healthy diet without any protein form animals. I've also discovered that more and more philosophers, ethicists, biologists etc, are starting to make the argument that our factory farming of animals may be the the worst crime in human history.
    - shiven 9y ago
      Thanks for the pointers on where to start looking. This is helpful. The modern “factory farming” is not something I care to defend for any intent or purpose. It may as well disappear tomorrow, as far as I am concerned. However, I still see no argument against deeply caring domestication of a small number/herd of animals, providing them food, shelter and care in exchange for milk or unfertilized eggs. Can’t seem to find a convincing argument against that in my current ethics framework.
ezequiel-garzon 9y ago
Cows as a species are probably as safe as humans. Plenty other cases to worry about, assuming it’s feasible to fight extinction on a per-species basis.

And what happens to cows, as a species, a few decades from now?

by shiven 9y ago

And what happens to cows, as a species, a few decades from now?

I don't fully understand what you're asking. Could you clarify? Are you suggesting they might go extinct? Or something else?

reificator 9y ago
Not the above poster, but relevant SMBC: https://www.smbc-comics.com/?id=3105 https://www.smbc-comics.com/?id=3105
- j1elo 9y ago
  I can see how that mom in the comic would be a supporter of bullfighting - they tend to use similar justifications around the idea that, if it wasn't because the bull was raised and taken care (to ultimatelly be killed in the sports), it wouldn't have existed at all. I say that's BS, if you ask me.
shiven 9y ago
There is more than one question I am asking - (1). Is there any scientifically sound study proving that the quality of protein from plant sources is equivalent to or better than from dairy products? (2). Is there any reproducible, quantitative data on leaving milk producing cows to fend for themselves vs caring for them in small -to- mid size "cow caring" setups (farms, one-cow ops etc.)? I ask this because both my maternal and paternal grandparents had 1 to 3 milk producing cows at any given point in time - from what I recall, they were well cared for (food, medicine, weather etc.) (3). If we, as a species, were to stop consuming dairy products today, or cut consumption by, say 90% over the next year, what would become of the current cow population? How is that better than the current situation for the animals? I am personally, utterly and deeply biased towards the survive-and-let-survive school of life --- so take what I say colored by my very, very, un-apologetically biased PoV.
- Lon7 9y ago
  If you are interested in these questions I think it will be worth it to spend some time and do a bit of research, no? You can look up Peter Singer and Yuval Noah Harari to start with and read what they have written about this. I mention them because they write well and mainly stick to scientifically supported ideas. I haven't decided where I stand on the issues yet, but with a little research it has become apparent that you can have a very healthy diet without any protein form animals. I've also discovered that more and more philosophers, ethicists, biologists etc, are starting to make the argument that our factory farming of animals may be the the worst crime in human history.
  - shiven 9y ago
    Thanks for the pointers on where to start looking. This is helpful. The modern “factory farming” is not something I care to defend for any intent or purpose. It may as well disappear tomorrow, as far as I am concerned. However, I still see no argument against deeply caring domestication of a small number/herd of animals, providing them food, shelter and care in exchange for milk or unfertilized eggs. Can’t seem to find a convincing argument against that in my current ethics framework.

ezequiel-garzon 9y ago

Cows as a species are probably as safe as humans. Plenty other cases to worry about, assuming it’s feasible to fight extinction on a per-species basis.