Earlier today I sent Cindy a sputter on what seems to me to be the ignorant
use of the word 'speciesism' in the article. It is hard to know whether or
not a snail exhibits the human trait of speciesism. 
 
I think the word came into use in the 1970s as a description of the human
characteristic to only consider human desires and selfishness and to take
advantage in its relationship with other organisms. The requirements for
life of species other than human has no part in the human characteristic of
speciesism. Some defend this idea of speciesism, while others deplore it and
see it as the root of destruction rather than protection. So, really to say
speciesism is in effect for the protection of sensitive lands is not to
understand the environmentally negative meaning of the word. 
 
Or has the meaning so changed from a human self interested characteristic to
one where anytime humans do anything for the well-being of another organism,
they engage in reverse speciesism. Words are such slithery, sometimes
dangerous creatures, that one must forever be aware of their uses and
misuses. I suspect the emotionally sounding words like speciesism are more
dangerous and damaging in the IFB article than the obvious misinformation.
 
As Humpty Dumpty said to Alice, and I paraphrase - Words mean what I want
them to mean.
 
Linda

Linda & Robert Scarth
1630 Wildwood Dr. NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
319-366-6817
[log in to unmask] 
www.scarthphoto.com
blog: www.scarthphoto.com/wp/

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
To unsubscribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to:
[log in to unmask]

Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information:
http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp