Misothery: Contempt for Animals and Nature, Its Origins, Purposes, and Repercussions
Abstract and Keywords Our worldview is made of animals. Our views of animals determine how we see nature—the living world, as well as our part in it. Pre-agricultural peoples were intrigued by animals, their behaviors, and powers. In these totemic societies, animals were seen as First Beings, ancestors, and there was a sense of kinship […]
Speaking of Animals
Every October at Hale’s 5-H Ranch and Drive Thru Animal Park [perhaps since renamed the 5-H Animal Auction in Jackson, MO] just north of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, the Hale family conducts the largest animal auction of its kind in the world. For four days, the Hale brothers auction off tropical birds, water buffalo, miniature horses, […]
Agribusiness attempts to respond to animal rights movement
An important meeting of animal rights advocates and animal agribusiness people was held September 10, 1981, in Des Moines, Iowa. Arranged by the Livestock Conservation Institute ostensibly “to define the issues,” the meeting brought out representatives from the veterinary and animal sciences communities, farm bureaus, animal commodity groups, and agricultural support industries to listen to […]
The 1981 American Pork Congress: Pushing Pig Flesh
Kansas City, Missouri: city of fur traffic, cattle drives, stockyards, slaughterhouses, and steakhouses, a metropolis built from the backs, blood, and bones of animals—not exactly Miami Beach for an animal activist. In March of this year, the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) held its annual meeting and trade show in Kansas City. NPPC, composed of […]
Animal Welfare / Rights / Liberation: What’s the Difference?
Like a great ship at sea, the animal protection movement is going through another change in the weather. Strong, favorably directed gusts of new ideas are kicking up controversies, problems, and confusion. To try to keep on course, we should grapple with these as they arise. There is some confusion, for example, over the meaning […]
Investigative Report:
Going, Going, Gone
From 1993 (PDF) A little-known auction circuit that stretches from Ohio to Texas is selling thousands of exotic animals, from monkeys and leopards to genetic novelties like “ligers” and “zorses.” It’s a $100-million-a-year business—and growing.
Oral History Interview with Jim Mason 1999
Jim Mason begins this three-session interview discussing his experiences growing up on a farm in Missouri during the 1950s. He analyzes at length the rural outlooks on animals, including in agriculture and hunting. He describes his initial interests in biology, entry into college as a pre-med student, and eventual decision to pursue law career instead.
The Animals Voice Magazine Interview
The November/December 2019 issue of The Animals Voice Magazine featured the cover story, “Three Wise Men,” profiling three animals activists making tremendous contributions toward the improvement of animals’ lives. The interviews were conducted by Animals Voice Associate Editor Susan Barzallo. This is the first of the three. Jim Mason is an author and attorney who […]
The EVEN Interview
I think a lot of people see veganism as extreme, as some sort of cult practice. Although, I think this has more to do with the meat-eater mentality than it does with any behavior on the part of vegans. You know, the eye of the beholder. In my view, the reduction of animals to tools, […]
Rituals of Dominionism
