On one hand, I don't think this is some meat industry propaganda and there probably is a link between the disconnect of meat consumers and the act of butchering

On one hand, I don't think this is some meat industry propaganda and there probably is a link between the disconnect of meat consumers and the act of butchering to the increase of meat consumption, but I don't agree with the core idea here: "The way I see it, it's not that there's a desire for the blood and gore, but rather we’re hardwired to deal with the blood and gore, and when that innate machinery goes unused – as it does in a postdomestic society – humans are left with a gap, with something missing." The fact that we're hardwired to crave something does not automatically imply we should do it. This is part of what being human is about. If men crave sex, it doesn't follow that they should rape women lest they are left with a gap or something missing. I used to love eating meat more than most people I know, but stopped eating it years ago since it didn't make any sense to me that for my pleasure a sentient animal should suffer and die. I have no trouble dealing with the gap... Note that I'm not judgemental about my friends or any other people that eat meat. Life is not black and white - everyone can make their choices and I know vegetarians and vegans who can take morality lessons from meat eaters - but at least we should call a spade a spade. Unless it's crucial for your own survival, I believe eating meat brings more suffering than joy to the world.