On Interviews, Quizzes and Coyote Decoys

Bea directed me to eInterview.org, "a Social Psychology Network partner site headquartered at Wesleyan University." There are currently two interviews you can take: one on Diet & Lifestyle, and the other on Race & Advertising. The technology is fascinating and the content, which is part of an academic study by Prof. Scott Plous at Wesleyan, is, well, subjective, as everyone would do it differently.

I don’t want to bias you, so I’ll just suggest doing the interviews and then looking at the links/resources page when you’re done.

As interesting, if not more, is the interactive "Animal Ethics Dilemma," which is especially relevant given the recent discussion a couple of us have had in the comments section of "On Helping Animals Then Using Them" with Kaye Harris (featured in the story referenced in the post), who rescues animals and then puts them to work to pay their way in what she refers to as an "exchange." Hers is by no means a case of horrifying abuse, but it does raise questions about degrees of use and abuse, and whether some use maybe isn’t so bad considering the alternative. What’s useful for that discussion on Animal Ethics Dilemma is the set of five views about animal ethics (and you’ll be happy to know that Peter Singer is featured under "The Utilitarian View" not "Animal Rights").

I came out 92% Animal Rights and 8% either Contractarian or Respect for Nature, contingent on my answer to one question (I had an inkling which question it was, retook the test, and presto! my results changed).

Though the References page appears extensive, if you click on Egg Industry, for example, you might find the information to be lacking. (There are other examples like it.) Then again, we all know how critical I am, and maybe it’s just me.

Finally, for anyone who thinks geese are stupid and can’t learn, check out "Fake Coyotes Fooling the Motorists, Not the Geese," which explains, well . . .