I'm not sure how many of you have seen the newest sensational YouTube video sweeping the world, but it's a video with a new way that Chinese are eating fish. The carp is partially deep fried and eaten alive. Here is the video and a news article from the Telegraph:

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/6595481/Chinese-diners-eat-live-fish-in-YouTube-video.html

 

What are your thoughts on this issue specifically, and animal rights in general? Obviously PETA was quick to denounce this, but I really don't think it's that big of a deal. They don't have the mammalian higher brain structures implicated in consciousness, and I don't think there's very much confidence in any theories of them being self-aware. Is it cruel? Meh, maybe, but I think many other issues relating to this could be debated as cruel to a varying degree, such as caged-chickens. Yeah, I know that organizations like PETA are also against that, and unless you eat completely organically like the Amish or something, there's not much arguing room. I think the argument comes down to "necessary" and "unnecessary" cruelty.

 

I draw the line on organisms that have higher brain development than fish.

 

So have at it: what are your overall thoughts on this specifically, and animal rights in general?

Only puppies need be protected because of their uber cuteness. Eat all the dolphin you want, they're jerks anyways.

Animals are not humans, therefore they don't have rights. I don't like seeing animals suffer in any way, and I think it's bad when people hurt them unnecessarily, but there is no moral wrongness with anything done to an animal.

I don't like such stuff as "eaten alive". I could never do such a thing, whether it's a fish, frog or a monkey.

And i've never understood why people say "it's only an animal" if it's been tortured or lived in crap conditions. I would like to see the person who says such things to live in similar conditions.

 

What gets me most is this [cabbage] that's come to Europe the last years "halal slaughter". I [bleep]ing hate it. I would, if i were the person in charge, ban it as quick as possible.

I don't like such stuff as "eaten alive". I could never do such a thing, whether it's a fish, frog or a monkey.

And i've never understood why people say "it's only an animal" if it's been tortured or lived in crap conditions. I would like to see the person who says such things to live in similar conditions.

 

What gets me most is this [cabbage] that's come to Europe the last years "halal slaughter". I [bleep]ing hate it. I would, if i were the person in charge, ban it as quick as possible.

 

 

 

l0ld. So what you're saying is, that a human being is the equivalent to a fish?

 

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That video is disgusting. And if it was an animal that could actually "feel" in a sense, then it would be cruelty. But fish are machines: eat, sleep, swim, reproduce repeat, die.

I don't want to see animals suffer needlessly. If animals are going to be farmed for food they should be treated in a humane way as far as possible, I believe hunting should only be done for food or in extreme circumstances as a form of population control. I think animal testing should only be done for medical testing because of the potential benefits that this has in terms of potential cures for diseases, I don't agree with testing cosmetics on animals though as it's unnecessary in my opinion. I don't even believe in bullfighting because I think that is too cruel and unnecessary, I even root for the bull during the bullrun.

 

As for this case, I'm not entireley sure. You made a good point about the make up of the fish's brain and whether or not they can feel pain. The thing about it that really struck me when I read about it yesterday was why someday would want to eat something that is still alive. The thought of eating something that is still breathing and wriggling is what disgusts me far more than the idea of it being potentially cruel. There is a point where trying to eat fresh food just goes too far.

I don't like such stuff as "eaten alive". I could never do such a thing, whether it's a fish, frog or a monkey.

And i've never understood why people say "it's only an animal" if it's been tortured or lived in crap conditions. I would like to see the person who says such things to live in similar conditions.

 

What gets me most is this [cabbage] that's come to Europe the last years "halal slaughter". I [bleep]ing hate it. I would, if i were the person in charge, ban it as quick as possible.

 

 

 

l0ld. So what you're saying is, that a human being is the equivalent to a fish?

 

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That video is disgusting. And if it was an animal that could actually "feel" in a sense, then it would be cruelty. But fish are machines: eat, sleep, swim, reproduce repeat, die.

 

I haven't said that, have i? If you think that fish doesn't feel anything, you are wrong.

But let's change the animal, from fish to a collie, would you eat a partially deep fried collie that's still alive? /Would you say it's worse to eat the collie instead of the fish?

I draw the line at primates. The things people do to them.. it's just wrong. Animal cruelty to other animals doesn't go down well with me either, but it's only with primates that a little part inside of me wants me to hurt the bastards

I don't like such stuff as "eaten alive". I could never do such a thing, whether it's a fish, frog or a monkey.

And i've never understood why people say "it's only an animal" if it's been tortured or lived in crap conditions. I would like to see the person who says such things to live in similar conditions.

 

What gets me most is this [cabbage] that's come to Europe the last years "halal slaughter". I [bleep]ing hate it. I would, if i were the person in charge, ban it as quick as possible.

 

 

 

l0ld. So what you're saying is, that a human being is the equivalent to a fish?

 

-------

 

That video is disgusting. And if it was an animal that could actually "feel" in a sense, then it would be cruelty. But fish are machines: eat, sleep, swim, reproduce repeat, die.

 

I haven't said that, have i? If you think that fish doesn't feel anything, you are wrong.

But let's change the animal, from fish to a collie, would you eat a partially deep fried collie that's still alive? /Would you say it's worse to eat the collie instead of the fish?

 

 

Ofc, heck I think the fish is even borderline too much. You should never do it with any animal, I'm simply stating don't treat it like it's a human.

I'm against blatant animal cruelty, but in reality there is nothing wrong with it. Animals don't think, they act based on instinct. They are essentially organic machines.

The difference is that animals do it because they have to, not because they want to. It's entirely possible to remain healthy and living without eating a fish alive. The fact that someone even thought of this is a testament to how twisted humans actually are.

If an animal doesn't need to suffer, it shouldn't. If a luxury causes them to suffer, find a better way.

Animals eat other animals alive, ALWAYS. That's the ONLY way they do it. Fish are food creatures, here to be eaten, they have a huge population and they are dumb as hell, what purpose could they serve?

While I think it's sadistic to torture animals for the hell of it, I think there's nothing wrong with using them as a food source. Most of them would do the same to us if the opportunity arose - it's just the circle of life.

Look, if we weren't supposed to eat them, then they wouldn't taste so bloody good.

It's a fish. If you feel the need to half fry it and eat it alive, go ahead. I find it strange, but I hate fish anyway.

 

You shouldn't be able to kill 'important' animals (that may go extinct) but go ahead and kill random ones if you're going to eat them. Not a fan of blatant torture, it's pointless, but I don't classify eating fish alive as torture.

Animals are not humans, therefore they don't have rights. I don't like seeing animals suffer in any way, and I think it's bad when people hurt them unnecessarily, but there is no moral wrongness with anything done to an animal.

Exactly.

 

I'm getting sick and tired of the extreme sides of this issue. Some people think if you think an animal should be treated properly you're some PETA fundamentalist. :roll: Then we got those loudmouth vetertarians sons of [bleep]es. :roll:

If an animal doesn't need to suffer, it shouldn't. If a luxury causes them to suffer, find a better way.

And besides, do we even really need luxury foods? Come on, guys.

 

Beyond that, I don't really care about animal rights.

While I think it's sadistic to torture animals for the hell of it, I think there's nothing wrong with using them as a food source. Most of them would do the same to us if the opportunity arose - it's just the circle of life.

This mostly. I'd throw in the idea that if you plan to kill one you should at least ensure that you don't waste any parts.

I'm against blatant animal cruelty, but in reality there is nothing wrong with it. Animals don't think, they act based on instinct. They are essentially organic machines.

 

Animals can feel pain, though. Why isn't it wrong to torture an animal if they can feel pain?

 

I'd say it's wrong to needlessly inflict pain and suffering on animals. I'm quite fine with using them for food, though. Most of the videos organisations like PETA use to justify their cause will show the worst of the worst and don't represent common industry practice.

I saw that video a few days ago and I do have to say that it seems unnecessary. Killing animals to aid us is perfectly fine, but I do think that going to such drastic measures to cook a fish like that is a bit over the top. I can't say I'm outraged by it or anything though, and I know that it certainly isn't a common practice.

What about eating live octopus while it't still crawling around? Better, worse, or same?

I think alot of it depends on the animals ability or inability to feel pain. Mammals certainly can feel pain, but fish? Insects?

it's okay to buy meat from the grocery store as long as people don't know where it came from, or eat at KFC and McD's.. but this is wrong!

I have a varied opinion of animal rights.

 

I'm a firm believer in the fact that there's nothing wrong with eating animals - I believe they are here for our consumption, and we need them to survive(although technically we could survive on vegetables alone). However, I don't think any animal should suffer needlessly, so seeing something like that video is a bit off putting. Also, the beating/maltreatment of pets is not something I'm okay with either.

 

However - I greatly dislike the overzealousness of many animal rights organizations - Peta for example is hypocritical and does nothing - and organizations like Greenpeace take things way too far. As much as I don't want animals being abused - I believe in solving the human problems of this world before we concentrate on animals. I find it hard to take people who are concerned about seal hunting seriously when there are hundreds of millions malnourished children all over the world - there is war, racism...and I won't even mention my feelings on abortion :P

I agree with 1_man_army. I've never seen a bull-fight, though.