4 ms·

I don't believe that my individual choice actually matters; What do I read to change my opinion?

by bollu 5y ago

SuoDuanDao 5y ago
Any introduction to chaos theory should change your mind, but it convinces you that your actions have consequences at the cost of never being sure what they are.
lasfter 5y ago
I'm usually of the same mind, but this is one scenario where individual action actually can help. For example, driving less won't significantly affect climate change even if most people do it, since the biggest contributors are industrial processes. On the other hand, nearly all of the animal cruelty from factory farms stems from people buying meat from them. So if most people eat less meat, then factory farms actually will suffer.
yboris 5y ago
There are people who have tried to investigate this thoroughly. My understanding is that there is a direct correlation between your actions an the supply. > "If someone gives up 1 lb of chicken, total consumption falls by 0.76lb in expectation." https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/fZp6Fpowmd5a8Lu2w/what-is-the-current-best-estimate-of-the-cumulative https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/fZp6Fpowmd5a8Lu2w/... Directly: https://reducing-suffering.org/comments-on-compassion-by-the-pound/#Elasticities https://reducing-suffering.org/comments-on-compassion-by-the... The mechanism is simple: if the stores are 100% responsive to your demand, your purchase directly affects supply. If they are not 100% perfect, they still have a mechanism through which they buy in bulk. So, roughly speaking, you might have a 1% chance of triggering a batch order for an extra 100 lbs when you purchase 1 lb of meat. And the same goes up the supply chain.
agogdog 5y ago
Have you noticed that there's a lot more vegetarian food available and there are legitimately good meat alternatives now? This stuff didn't exist 20 years ago. The personal choices of consumers en masse has made that difference.
yesenadam 5y ago
Maybe hang out with some cows, pigs, sheep, lambs etc for a lil while. I don't mean in a mass farm with 1000s. In a place where there are one or 2 you can get to know as individuals.

I don't believe that my individual choice actually matters; What do I read to change my opinion?

by bollu 5y ago

I don't believe that my individual choice actually matters; What do I read to change my opinion?

Any introduction to chaos theory should change your mind, but it convinces you that your actions have consequences at the cost of never being sure what they are.

lasfter 5y ago

I'm usually of the same mind, but this is one scenario where individual action actually can help. For example, driving less won't significantly affect climate change even if most people do it, since the biggest contributors are industrial processes. On the other hand, nearly all of the animal cruelty from factory farms stems from people buying meat from them. So if most people eat less meat, then factory farms actually will suffer.

yboris 5y ago

There are people who have tried to investigate this thoroughly. My understanding is that there is a direct correlation between your actions an the supply. > "If someone gives up 1 lb of chicken, total consumption falls by 0.76lb in expectation." https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/fZp6Fpowmd5a8Lu2w/what-is-the-current-best-estimate-of-the-cumulative https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/fZp6Fpowmd5a8Lu2w/... Directly: https://reducing-suffering.org/comments-on-compassion-by-the-pound/#Elasticities https://reducing-suffering.org/comments-on-compassion-by-the... The mechanism is simple: if the stores are 100% responsive to your demand, your purchase directly affects supply. If they are not 100% perfect, they still have a mechanism through which they buy in bulk. So, roughly speaking, you might have a 1% chance of triggering a batch order for an extra 100 lbs when you purchase 1 lb of meat. And the same goes up the supply chain.

agogdog 5y ago

Have you noticed that there's a lot more vegetarian food available and there are legitimately good meat alternatives now? This stuff didn't exist 20 years ago. The personal choices of consumers en masse has made that difference.

yesenadam 5y ago

Maybe hang out with some cows, pigs, sheep, lambs etc for a lil while. I don't mean in a mass farm with 1000s. In a place where there are one or 2 you can get to know as individuals.