On Timelines
The idea that each person has their own timeline for converting to veganism met with the following comment from All Means Justifiable:
I think this an important comment as it pits theory against practice, words against actions, and highlights the reality that humans can very well know something is wrong–or even not good for their own health–and do it anyway (and to remove the health debate with animal-eating, think smoking, or excess alcohol drinking, or some other action that's bad for you and you might proceed with nevertheless).
The fact that the concept of the timeline exists is simply an admission that human behavior is not necessarily aligned with what's in the head or in the heart. And as long as timelines do exist and we cannot guarantee that we can speed them up, the very least we can do is work to move them along. And I know that many people don't want to hear this, but moving others along, if done too harshly or abruptly, can backfire. Moving people along is more art than science, and for some people it's far more emotion-based than logic-based.
In my experience, knowing your audience and tailoring your approach (but not the substance of your message), is what converts people to veganism . . . when they're ready.
What are your thoughts?
Breaking it down further, to the idea that we can't convince anyone without first presenting the information to them, it seems clear to me that engaging their interest is very important. Engaging an aspect of the vegan argument that they are already sensitized to helps to engage that interest and opens up the possibility of a deeper and more repeated conversations…which for most people is what seems to be needed. This is one reason why I think it is important for vegans to have at least a decent grasp at the intersecting issues. Lucky for us there are some great resources out there to make our jobs (of educating ourselves and others) easier.
My neighbor is a good example. He was a vivisector before he went to med school, and he watched earthlings and was not moved at all by it. He's not an evil man, he's not an amoral man, it just wasn't breaking through for him. The aspects that have allowed me to make headway with him are talking about the exploitation of the slaughterhouse workers and the abuse they often bring home to their families, and bringing that around to exploitation in a more general sense. He would seek me out to have more of these conversations because he was interested in what I had to say about what ends up being a wide range of topics. It is his kids (9 and 6 years old) who want just the narrow view of why I'm vegan. Their world view doesn't yet encompass the intersections in most ways.
I know some people think we shouldn't deviate from a set script, and I do find that attitude puzzling. I suppose it works for lectures or something, but my outreach ends up being one on one with people, and if I'm not listening to them, why would they listen to me?
I don't know…everybody's different I guess but
to me it all has to do with money. I mean I really REALLY like & respect money. Money buys
me the thing I cherish the most…FREEDOM & I
desperately want us all to be free.
Loving money the way I do, there's no way I
could be anything BUT a vegan. I mean I don't even like giving money to charities that I love…..oh oh oh…don't get me wrong, I DO give to many AR & Rescue causes. In fact I gave so much last year I didn't even have to pay any Federal taxes….but my point is, I'd rather just keep the money for myself & if I don't like giving it to those I like & respect how could I EVER give even one cent to an animal killing company? NO…the easiest thing in the world is NOT giving money to people or companies
who enslave animals.
Deb….I'm sorry but I have to disagree with you about your neighbor. Sort to like my grandfather….kind and sweet he was to me…loved me very much, but he was in the KKK
and to me that makes him evil….pure & simple
and anyone who could watch Earthlings & not be moved is the same kind of evil….heartless…
I don't care how pleasant he may seem. On the other hand…you seem to think you may be able
to bring him into the light. And for that, you
have my highest respect.
I think that most people just need hand-holding. They need someone to show them what to eat, how to cook, how to order food at restaurants, how to respond to criticism, etc.
The trouble is, hand-holding gets very tedious and tiring for the person offering their hand. It's very similar, in my opinion, to exposing sexism or racism to someone with privilege. They might be curious and wanting to learn, but they're also a little bit racist or a little bit sexist and they can get defensive very quickly and easily. (They = me, too. I'm not immune.)
I don't think there is ONE right way to do it. I think hand-holding works, and it works in a way that maintains friendships, but hand-holding takes so much effort that it's not always justified. That energy might be better spent trying to change laws or doing undercover work or simply caring for sanctuary animals… it just depends:
What resources do you have? What are you willing to use to help animals? What do you enjoy doing?
Answering these question is just as important as answering the question, "What methods are effective?"
I do not agree that pushing people too hard can backfire. I think pushing too hard will create tension, resistance, and backlash, but I don't agree that those are always bad things in the long-run. People often come around eventually. I've personally seen too much positive change result from pestering and nagging to not think pestering and nagging are worthwhile.
In my experience and opinion, it's better to try and fail than to not try at all. And for that reason, I'm willing to step over the line sometimes… how else do you learn where the line is?
Well, the issue for me is that by saying it, the speaker (unintentionally probably) sends a message that humans (those who have their own timeline) should be treated differently than nonhumanas in factory-farms (those who do not have their own timeline).
I have to agree with Gingerlks that anyone who could watch Earthlings and not be moved… is probably a lost cause. If you have any compassion at all… you will be influenced. I'd say anyone who remained indifferent would be a monster.
I've encountered many who will say "they know all about it"… or have seen it, or are "aware". Truth is, they know only a tiny fraction – but don't care to learn more. Ever. There is never going to be a "timeline" with these kinds of people. They will operate
in status quo with their other non-timeline friends and neighbors, who reflect back exactly what they wish to see. And until a monumental incident happens or until "groups" get large enough for them to get "nudged" out of their comfort zone… they won't. Many people just don't do things independently…
Wasting energy on the willfully ignorant is exhausting and counterproductive. I've found that if you threaten their bliss you're likely to get bit. Best to focus on others more receptive to ideas of peace, compassion and health. Those who won't bear their teeth to the messenger.