The End of Animal Farming

1. The moral circle is expanding to include farmed animals

Humanity has already seen many similar transitions. With animals, we shifted from whale oil to petroleum to light our homes. We shifted from horse-drawn carriages to automobiles as the dominant mode of local transportation.

Scientific consensus. The scientific community now widely accepts that animals are conscious, feeling beings capable of suffering. This represents a major shift from the Cartesian view of animals as unfeeling machines. Key evidence includes neurological similarities between humans and other animals, as well as observed behaviors indicating emotions and cognition.

Cultural shifts. Public attitudes are changing, with growing concern for animal welfare. A 2015 Gallup poll found that 32% of Americans believe animals deserve the same rights as people. All 50 US states now have felony animal cruelty laws. This expanding moral circle builds on previous expansions like the abolition of slavery and women's suffrage.

• Historical precedents: Shifts away from whale oil, horse transportation
• Scientific evidence: Animal consciousness, emotions, cognition
• Cultural indicators: Polls on animal rights, animal cruelty laws
• Context: Part of broader trend of expanding moral consideration

2. Undercover investigations expose factory farming cruelty

Mercy For Animals has relentlessly pursued effectiveness, placing the desire to maximize its impact above all else.

Powerful exposés. Undercover investigations by animal advocacy groups have been crucial in revealing the reality of factory farming to the public. Videos and reports showing extreme confinement, abuse, and unsanitary conditions have generated widespread outrage and calls for reform.

Media impact. These investigations frequently receive major media coverage, bringing factory farming practices to mainstream attention. This has helped shift public opinion and create pressure for change. However, the industry has fought back with "ag-gag" laws trying to criminalize undercover investigations.

• Key players: PETA, Mercy For Animals, Humane Society
• Tactics: Covert filming, whistleblowing, media campaigns
• Industry response: "Ag-gag" laws to prevent investigations
• Outcomes: Increased awareness, pressure for reforms

3. Plant-based and cultured meat are revolutionizing food

The ace in the hole for the inevitability of the end of animal farming is the incredible inefficiency of making meat, dairy, and eggs from animals.

Rapid innovation. Companies like Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat are creating plant-based meat alternatives that closely mimic the taste and texture of animal meat. Meanwhile, cultured meat grown from animal cells in bioreactors is progressing toward commercial viability.

Market disruption. These new food technologies aim to be more efficient, sustainable, and ethical than conventional animal agriculture. Major food companies and meat producers are investing in and developing their own plant-based and cultured meat products, signaling a shift in the industry.

• Key players: Impossible Foods, Beyond Meat, Memphis Meats
• Technologies: Plant protein isolates, heme, cell culture
• Advantages: Efficiency, sustainability, animal welfare
• Industry response: Investment, acquisitions, new product lines

4. Corporate campaigns drive welfare reforms

Corporate victories establish precedent for more than just the movement and industry. They signal to media, intellectuals, and the public that farmed animals matter and that farmed animal advocates are a powerful force, worthy of press coverage and serious consideration.

Effective strategy. Targeted campaigns pressuring food companies to adopt higher animal welfare standards have achieved significant victories. These include pledges to switch to cage-free eggs and policies banning cruel practices like tail docking of dairy cows.

Ripple effects. Corporate policy changes affect millions of animals and create momentum for industrywide shifts. They also legitimize animal welfare as a serious business concern and set new norms. However, some argue these incremental reforms don't go far enough and may make consumers complacent.

• Tactics: Petitions, protests, shareholder resolutions
• Key victories: Cage-free egg commitments, gestation crate bans
• Pros: Large-scale impact, shifting industry norms
• Cons: Potentially inadequate reforms, risk of complacency

5. Focus on institutional change over individual diet

If revolutionaries want to overthrow a dictator, it's not enough for the majority of individuals to want the dictator gone. They need to know that other people want this result as well.

Collective action. The movement should shift focus from individual diet change to institutional and policy change. This approach can create larger-scale impacts and overcome the limitations of relying solely on personal consumer choices.

Systemic solutions. Institutional strategies like corporate campaigns, policy advocacy, and technological development can drive widespread change more effectively than convincing individuals one by one. This also helps create "common knowledge" that others support the cause.

• Individual focus: "Go vegan" messaging, lifestyle changes
• Institutional focus: Corporate campaigns, policy advocacy, food tech
• Benefits: Larger-scale impact, overcoming social barriers
• Examples: Cage-free campaigns, cultured meat development

6. Address the "Four N's" justifications for eating meat

What do people typically say when we ask them why they eat meat? Psychologists categorize people's reasons into the four N's: meat is normal, necessary, nice, and natural.

Common justifications. People often defend eating meat using the "Four N's": that it's Normal, Natural, Necessary, and Nice (tasty). Advocates need strategies to effectively counter each of these rationalizations.

Counter-arguments. Emphasize that what's normal and natural isn't always ethical, provide evidence that meat isn't necessary for health, and showcase delicious plant-based alternatives. The "natural" argument is particularly persistent and requires nuanced responses.

• Normal: Show growing popularity of plant-based diets
• Natural: Explain appeal to nature fallacy, point out modern farming
• Necessary: Cite nutritional evidence, vegan athletes
• Nice: Highlight tasty alternatives, conduct blind taste tests

7. Broaden the movement's appeal across demographics

People who see vegetarianism and animal-free food advocacy as outside their demographic are probably more hesitant to change their diet or join the movement.

Diverse representation. The movement needs to broaden its appeal beyond stereotypes of white, liberal, wealthy vegans. This requires diverse representation in leadership and messaging, as well as tailoring approaches to different cultural contexts.

Global strategy. While the US and Europe have been movement centers, the largest numbers of farmed animals are in China and India. Effective advocacy requires understanding local cultures, collaborating with local groups, and adapting strategies accordingly.

• Stereotypes to overcome: White, liberal, wealthy, Western
• Key regions: US, EU, China, India
• Tactics: Diverse leadership, culturally-adapted messaging
• Considerations: Local customs, religious practices, economic factors

8. Cautiously confront and use moral outrage strategically

We should be bold and radical by honestly explaining the huge scale and horror of animal farming, but we should also be considerate and accepting of our audience.

Balanced approach. While confrontational tactics can spark moral outrage and media attention, they risk alienating potential supporters. A more effective strategy balances bold messaging with considerate, solution-oriented approaches.

Strategic outrage. Moral outrage can be a powerful motivator, but should be used carefully. Focus on directing outrage at institutions and practices rather than individuals. Combine it with positive visions and achievable solutions to channel emotion into constructive action.

• Pros of confrontation: Attention, moral urgency
• Cons of confrontation: Alienation, defensiveness
• Better approach: Bold message + considerate tone
• Outrage targets: Factory farming, not individual consumers

9. Consider wild animals and artificial sentience in future

Are we who have opened our eyes to the harms of animal farming still ignorant of other classes of victims, perhaps who suffer in even greater numbers?

Expanding considerations. As the movement succeeds in reducing farmed animal suffering, advocates should consider expanding their moral circle further. This could include addressing wild animal suffering and the potential sentience of artificial beings.

Long-term thinking. While these issues may seem speculative, their potential scale is enormous. Considering them now can help shape a more ethical long-term future. This reflects the effective altruism approach of tackling neglected but potentially high-impact causes.

• Wild animals: Vast numbers, natural suffering
• Artificial sentience: Future AI, digital minds
• Challenges: Tractability, public acceptance
• Approach: Research, raise awareness, prepare strategies

10. The end of animal farming is achievable this century

I would guess that by 2100 all forms of animal farming will seem outdated and barbaric.

Realistic timeline. While challenges remain, the end of animal farming is a achievable goal within this century. Technological advances, shifting public attitudes, and economic factors are all trending in this direction.

Transition phases. The shift will likely occur in stages, starting with increased adoption of plant-based foods, followed by cultured meat reaching price parity, and eventually, the phasing out of conventional animal agriculture. Policy changes and cultural shifts will accelerate this process.

• Near-term (10-30 years): Plant-based growth, initial cultured meat
• Mid-term (30-50 years): Cultured meat at scale, policy shifts
• Long-term (50-80 years): Animal farming phase-out, cultural change
• Key drivers: Technology, economics, ethics, sustainability

Last updated: August 9, 2024