ism - is condition of being - usually disparaging. (WEBSTER)


On 1/13/2012 3:56 PM, Linda & Robert Scarth wrote:
> 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/
>
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