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I'm still thinking about how culture plays a huge role in what we eat. Herzog talked about some factors that cause us to eat differently. He cited many good reasons but he got me thinking, is it really true that we don't eat animals that we hate or dote on? what is considered doteing? I know people who have chickens as pets and also eat chicken. Is it not the same because they are eating chickens that aren't theirs, or maybe it's because they grew up eating chicken so it's normal to them now? Also, I don't hate or dote on toads and frogs but I don't think I want to eat them.

I know these are really random thoughts and I'm just taking what he said too literally but, I am still thinking about that concept and trying to apply it to different things we are learning. When do emotions like guilt override our culture? Why is our culture so meat-driven? Using the information I learned this week makes me want to learn more about these continuities and if it's all subjective or if there is a method to the madness.

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One thing that stands out from this section of the Herzog book is the complex relationship between health and dietary choices, particularly regarding the transition from vegetarianism or veganism to omnivory. Individuals like Joanie may face health challenges that prompt them to bring animal products back into their diet. This raises questions about the crossings of personal health, ethical beliefs, and dietary practices. It challenges the idea that dietary choices are solely decided on ethical considerations and highlights the importance of considering individual health and ethical thoughts. It also raises contemplation of the different sides of food choices and its impact on individuals lives.

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After this weeks discussion video, I was really left thinking about how gory those videos are. In a way it makes me feel guilty about eating animals on a daily basis but it's also what i've always done. I've always joked to my friends that meat is just too good to give up but my god there has to be a more humane way to farm the animals that we eat. Another thing this made me think about was my dads job. My dad works at a pork plant. JBS, national industry. He's always telling me about how horrible the process is of killing these pigs to put them on our table. The area he works in is literally called the "Kill Floor". Hes shown me photos of his job and it's horrible to look at. Again, it makes me feel guilty about eating what I eat. Honestly in my opinion, if we made the process more humane, I would say it's still okay to keep eating animals.

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There is a lot that I am left thinking about, as well as learned. What really stood out is the video images of how violent they handle the animals. They are basically killed alive, it was the most heartbreaking thing to watch. The blood in the blades and the chickens struggling tied by their feet. The slaughterhouse videos are horrible. All the gruesome imagery is stuck in my head. Seeing factory farms was terrifying, the fact they could house up to millions of animals. I understand that animals are part of our daily lives and consumption, but the intensive farming practices seem almost unnecessary when we see how much of the meat gets thrown out and wasted.

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This really made me think about the questions I've asked myself time and time again about why I don't stop eating meat if I love animals so much. I always think the same three things, eating meat is natural, I don't think I'd have enough things to eat if I didn't eat meat, and it tastes delicious. These reasons fall in line with the "4Ns" discussed in chapter 7. But still, when I'm preparing my food sometimes I think about how it used to be alive, and this is just an animal's insides that I'm squishing in my hands. Sometimes the thought makes me sick. I'm sure this will only be worsened after seeing how animals go through the slaughterhouse. Herzog's description of processing the steer for meat made me really sad. Even this animal that was raised in the best conditions was torn apart so brutally, there's no pretty way to process meat. What made me the saddest though was that they were lured in with some sweetgrass. It breaks my heart that the cow was so trusting of the people who cared for it, only to be killed by those same people. I don't know if I could eat meat if I was the one who had to kill the animal, or maybe I'd be like those students who go right back to it after a few days. It was interesting to learn just how many vegetarians still eat meat, at that point why are you labeling yourself? Even if you don't consider fish to be meat, why not just call yourself a pescatarian?

I would like to eat less meat myself, but I won't try and call myself to being a full vegetarian until I could completely commit to it.

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After reading the chapter and watching the lecture, one thing that I am left thinking about is the laws surrounding the treatment of animals. Especially after watching the video of the cruelty that animals in the food industry endure, it makes me wonder how this can still be happening. I can't imagine someone who can watch that video and not be disgusted. So, if videos like this exist to show the world what is going on, then why are there not stricter laws? It makes me wonder what is stopping laws protecting these animals from being passed and enforced. The only thing I could think of is that the government would turn a blind eye to these practices in order to lower prices for consumers. However, it makes me wonder if everyone was made aware of videos like this that exist showing these disturbing food industry practices, if more change would occur.

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One thing that I am left thinking about is from this week's chapter by Herzog. I am left thinking about how little interests or crazes influences the meat industry vastly. In this chapter Herzog talked about the decrease in interest in cow meat and the increase in chicken meat. The statistic was that 20% of cow production went down while 200% of chicken production went up. That is an insane statistic, especially since word of health benefits from chicken over cow is what influenced it. Furthermore, I am left with the thought that, like our favorite dog breeds, the animals we eat are influenced by our everchanging, easily influenced desires on a daily basis.

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To tell you the truth, I hated the fact that I was had to see this. Despite the fact that I believe it is a terrible thing that this occurs to animals, I really despise the fact that I was forced to sit through it and see the animals suffer and even die. Even though I was aware that I shouldn't have viewed it while I was at work, the fact of the matter is that this is the only time I am able to do my job since I work virtually all day every day. However, this simply made me feel down. I get the impression that there are a great many more ways that we might use them as food, provided that we do it in a manner that is both more expedient and ethical. I am aware that it is still terrible to consume them or to murder them, but if it were up to me, I would want them to live a life of joy before they pass away. This is the worst kind of animal cruelty, and I despise it.

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After listening to this lecture one thing that I learned was just exactly how awful the conditions are for these animals in the food industry. I've known that they weren't treated well but I never knew the awful extent of it. I don't understand how these workers can do such things on the regular. The things they showed us and what was brought to light, just listening to it made me feel uneasy. It is so hard to wrap my head around the fact that humans do these things to them. For example they are burning, mutilating, and abusing these animals. These examples did not even cover everything going on in this industry. Something else that stuck out to me was the "free range" chickens. When I heard the term free range chickens I thought about a free open grassy area these chickens got to live in. To see the reality was eye opening. It makes me wonder what else this industry has been weaseling their way around to make them sound or seem better than others in the industry.

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What I'm left thinking about are the CAFOs in the food industry. These places treat animals horrifically. They are bad for the environment and they make people sick. Animals live in cramped filth to meet an awful end. These industrialized facilities confine animals to overcrowded and unsanitary conditions. The waste produced from these facilities pollutes air, water, and soil, making it hard for plants and animals to live nearby. It was eye opening as these are obviously real and current issues.

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This week's lecture had one thing that really stuck with me and that was the way the animals were treated. I didn't know much about animals in this food industry before this lecture. Seeing how many of them were beat, sick, and killed in harsh ways was something I am still thinking about. It was hard to see the harsh environment that the animals had to live in their whole lives. It seems unnecessary to me that the animals are in such harsh and dangerous conditions that also put the companies employees at risk. It is a hard reality to face that is kept behind doors.

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After following the lecture, the one that stood out to me was the grotesque ways the animals were being killed. Before watching the video, I thought they tried to do the task as humane as possible, but that was not the case at all. It just did not sit with me right the way the animals were drowned, electrocuted, cut, hit, and other insane actions. It is now a little different when I am looking at my dinner plate at night. Overall, the lecture allowed me to reconsider the process of how most people get food, and it is not pretty at all.

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After following the lecture, the one thing that stood out to me was the grotesque ways the animals were being killed. Before watching the video. I thought they tried to do the task as humane as possible but that was not the case at all. It just did not sit with me right the way the animals were drowned, electrocuted, cut, hit, and other the other insane actions. It is now a little different when I am looking at my dinner plate at night. Overall, the lecture allowed me to reconsider the process of how most people get food, and it is not pretty at all.

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One thing I learned about this week that I’m still thinking about is the economical problems associated with high production of meat products. I was unaware of the grants given to farmers to keep up with the costs of raising and killing animals, which actually end up hurting the economy. I feel like this part of the food industry is not at all talked about and if it were would actually get more people on board to look at solutions to these problems. Hopefully in turn finding other foods to eat and/or other ways to obtain meat, helping the economy, environment, and welfare of animals.

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A huge amount of suffering these animals experience is one thing that really stands out to me from the section on animals in the food industry.  The details of the horrific methods of slaughter, frequent mutilations, and crowded living conditions. It has caused me to rethink my eating decisions and has motivated me to look for healthier options.  This really motivates me to push for any changes in this animal and food industry.

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After this section on animals in the food industry, I am still thinking about how food industry employees are affected.  I deeply sympathize with the animals getting such poor treatment, but the issue is even more complicated.  Many of these workers live in underserved communities containing CAFOS/slaughterhouses and are typically of a minority.  These people are at risk for getting blamed for the animal cruelty, which is crazy because it is the management that forces them to fulfill the actions. Also, they are at risk for getting harmed through the chemicals inside slaughterhouses and through the large size of some of the animals. The information of this issue leaves me disgruntled because of the lack of efforts being made to help this cycle.

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The food industry actually impacts our daily lives in ways that we might not see. I understood how the food industry worked, but watching the in-class video was actually horrid. The way they slit the throats of animals, stomp on turkeys wings and skulls, or breaking the beaks. It doesn't sit right with me how the animals go through such a rough environment, but I was always taught that animals are here to be eaten. The one way that really messed with me was how the newborn male chickens wouldn't even get a life. Instead they are thrown in a grinder because they don't bring value to the food industry. I will truly never understand how someone working the food industry can go to work every day knowing you are going to kill numerous animals.

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One thing I learned from this week was about COFAs. Before watching the lecture, I honestly didn't know that large farms were called this and how animals were treated in some sides of the animal food industry. I have an aunt that works in a slaughter house and she has told me how the process works, so I know that not all slaughter houses are like in the video. I still think that it is very unfortunate that some places are so rough with the animals and don't prioritize their health and wellness along with the entire process. I'll definitely be thinking about how not every place dealing with animals and food production are the same and some are better or worse than others.

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One thing that I learned that I can't seem to get out of my head is the torture and abuse that the workers in slaughter industries inflict on innocent animals. Particularly, watching the video in the lecture opened my eyes to a real issue. It makes me upset knowing this is how animals whom many rely on for food are suffering for absolutely no reason. In addition, I will always want to understand the workers' minds doing these acts of aggression and how they remain so unphased.

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After this section on animals in the food industry and learning more in depth about it, I am left thinking about the regulations of this industry. These CAFO's seem to be able to get away with a lot of stuff and make it seem like they are the good guys. For example, in the video when they showed a chicken coop which was considered "free range," I was in awe. There were thousands of chickens in there and just because there was a little window and outside area, they can consider those chickens "free range." This makes me wonder what else are lies that the food industry tells us and how they are twisting their words. These huge business owners will do anything to cover up what is really happening in order to keep making a profit.

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After learning about the treatment of animals in the food industry this week, one thing that continues to linger in my thoughts is the concept of ethical consumption and its impact on animal welfare. The stark realities of factory farming and the conditions in which animals are raised and slaughtered raise important questions about our choices as consumers. Reflecting on this, I find myself grappling with the ethical implications of my dietary decisions and considering ways in which I can align my values with my consumption habits. This newfound awareness serves as a catalyst for ongoing reflection and a deeper exploration of alternative food sources that prioritize animal welfare and sustainability.

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One thing I learned from the lecture that I am still thinking about is how large the meat industry is. Some questions we were asked to think about was if we would change what we eat and if it is possible to change the industry. These were hard questions to answer and I am still thinking about them because they were difficult. The meat industry is huge, it produces tons of product and it is backed by the government. The animals within it are treated horribly and put in terrible conditions yet it continues to happen. A few people changing their diets would not be enough to stop an industry of this magnitude, especially when the government supports and funds it. It is also not easy for everyone to stop supporting the industry as it does keep food costs lower and provides easy access to certain products. Many people are also unaware of what actually happens before they buy their food and there would probably be more outrage if they did. A change would have to be from within the industry itself or within the government and I feel like people would support these changes if they were made.

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After understanding and learning more about these animals in the food industry the main thing that stuck with me and was hard to stomach was the treatment/living conditions of these animals in the houses. The gruesome treatment of the pigs, chickens, cows and other slaughterhouse animals is completely unethical and truly disheartening to learn about. It's very hard to comprehend how these workers can just simply do these things daily and have np regret or remorse for these poor living creatures. I used to just think that the cooping and large quantities of animals in a confined space was brutal and sad but after hearing of these tactics and horrifying methods I now truly understand how much worse this system is. This form of processing and general treatment to living animals is sickening and insensitive, hopefully their will be law changes soon to stop these houses from doing such.

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One thing I learned about animals in the food industry that I am still thinking about is the horrible conditions and treatment these animals have to deal with for the entirety of their lives. Most of these animals are brutally killed and crammed into small living spaces for their entire life. For instance, hanging pigs by the neck, and slamming the piglets on to the ground. I find it crazy that these practices are still used and still lawful. It is very sad and very eye opening to watch these operations happen, as most people do not truly understand what animals in food industry go through before making it to the grocery store. I am very surprised that there are not more laws in place to help these animals from living horrible and suffering lives.

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One thing I learned in this section that I'm still thinking about is how CAFOs can be so inhumane and cruel, yet be the main producers of the meat and animal products we consume. A while ago I had learned about and heard stories of animal abuse within factory farms, and I just assumed these issues were outlawed, dealt with, and weren't in practice anymore. Its extremely disheartening the know that many people think this is the best way for us to raise and murder animals. I think its really unfortunate that we have normalized practices like this that make things "easier" for us, but at the expense of other creature's live and the health of the planet. We should rethink and restructure our practices before we reach the point of no return.

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One thing that I learned this week that I am still thinking about is how horrible the slaughterhouses are for these animals. Specifically, in the video I remember all of the horrible living conditions that it showed. One thing that stood out was the pigs all walking around in their own manure and living like that. It was disgusting and inhumane. The very least the humans could've done was clean out the pens for them so that they are not getting diseases or sick. Not to mention if these animals are getting sick or diseases then they should not be killed to be turned into food for us to consume because then we would get sick as well. Another thing that stood out to me from the video was the cow being crushed against the wall of the pen that it was in and the narrator saying the cows neck were often cut. That is horrible to think that we are allowing the animals to be treated this way. We should find more humane ways to treat and kill these animals at the slaughterhouses, so that the animals are not suffering more.

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One thing I learned that I am still thinking about is the conditions of the animals and workers in these industries. I think the workers treating the animals like this have to be very numb inside to be able to treat animals that horribly. I grew up on a farm and in a farming community where farming was not done this way or with this many animals. The farmers did this out of respect for the animals and respect for their meat to feed humans. I think the treatment of the animals is awful and I can't stop thinking about the different methods they used on the animals in the videos.

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After reviewing the section about the food industry, I am still left thinking about the living conditions of that many of the farm animals live in. In the video, it was presented to show how these animals lived in these farms and how they are cared for. While watching the video it felt weird to watch the whole thing without stopping. I've already experienced and seen slaughter before when I was young. Never actually done it, but I think in perspective it's interesting that these are the same animals that get put on the plate. Though I personally don't think it's right for these animals to be living the way they are, we should advocate changes to incorporate different methods. Methods of raising the health standard, treatment overall with animals, and process. There are different ways to handle animals, just not the way that was shown in the video. Something I wrote on my debriefing is that you shouldn't blame the people in occupation, but those who over see it the whole operation.

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After this section on animals in the food industry, there was a lot that I was left still thinking about. However, I would say the main thing I learned about that I have spent the most time reflecting on are CAFOS, which stands for "confined animal feeding operations." These are also called "factory farms" and a big reason why I am still thinking about them is they house anywhere from hundreds to millions of animals, which is truly shocking to me. I cannot begin to fathom a location that has up to a million animals on the premises. Also, the high percentage numbers on the slides dealing with why exactly various species of animals are raised at these places was alarming (for example, 99.9% of chickens are raised solely for meat). It was simply a surprising thing to learn of, just the idea of "warehousing" animals was something that I had a hard time moving past.

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After learning more about animals in the food industry something that I'm still thinking about is the methods of treatment for those animals. Specifically from the video we watched. As I mentioned in my weekly assignment the video did indeed make me feel awkward and distraught watching it however, I couldn't seem to take my eyes off the screen and watched it all in one go without pausing. The brutality of it was something. Specifically, I am still thinking about 3 things we saw which were the female chicks getting their beak cut off, male cows getting their horns burned, and just the amount of I would say violence toward the animals. Such as slamming them against the ground or even punching and stomping them until death. To me, I still think about that since even while growing up on farms and seeing slaughterhouses I never saw that kind of treatment since the animal would be put down quickly and not treated that way. It could be a culture shock since even while I am a meat eater I still respect animals especially when harvesting one. Since I grew up with that aspect and when harvesting a large amount it was also to feed my whole family.