# data[].attributes.body
Meghana: Overall, I don't think that we should lean to one type of person or animal . Lets try to save both!

# data[].attributes.body
I agree with Meghana, species like worms and bees are important to our ecosystem and humans. (Rishmeen Kaur)

# data[].attributes.body
Hal Herzog clearly states that household pets or animals that live in the wild are the only animals that humans really care about. -Suhas

# data[].attributes.body
That is an intersting point Suhas brought up earlier like source 2 shows chicksn die a lot and no one really cares. Benjamin

# data[].attributes.body
As Raveena said in the discussion, humans accompling things and create new technology and inventions, animals do not. - Anaya

# data[].attributes.body
Madison, any pet requires money to take care of

# data[].attributes.body
To answer Leslie's question, bees are extremely important to our society. Without bees, there would be no flowers. Without flowers, no fruit. This would all result in a limited amount of food, which would result in the population decreasing dramatically. (Rishmeen Kaur)

# data[].attributes.body
This isn't a shocking fact. People just don't like helping people as much as they like spending it on themselves. -James

# data[].attributes.body
Meghana: ( adding on to my old response) I think it is also about they world like what worms do to us, they have helped make soil better

# data[].attributes.body
What type of pets would be spent money on? Rare types? -Madison

# data[].attributes.body
I feel like Americans spending over 60 billion dollars on their pets is very shocking. Although pets are very important, Americans should be spending money on different causes rather than their pets. -Bancy

# data[].attributes.body
People who are blind need these animals, commonly a dog. Dogs can help owners by not running into a street not knowing that they are even in a street - Brennan

# data[].attributes.body
Meghana: I think the symbiotic relationship between us and animals is more than just money

# data[].attributes.body
But remember, people have very different views on what animals are important or not. -Suhas

# data[].attributes.body
Students, here's an interesting fact. In 2015 Americans spent over 60 billion dollars on their pets. Is that shocking to you? Is that terrible? Or, do we need to look at this statistic in light of how much money Americans have donated to help fellow humans who are suffering?

# data[].attributes.body
I look at this as how much animals impact the lives of humans, the money would not only be spent on knick knacks, but also for people with disabilites, for Mrs. H post earlier. -justin

# data[].attributes.body
Meghana: true, but we don't have to, we can try to consume less meat or even try saving some animals in return

# data[].attributes.body
I believe that spending this much money on your pets is not okay, but how much would a parent spend on their child. It doesn't really matter if it is a dog or a child. - Suhani

# data[].attributes.body
To refer to Suhani, you are assuming that without our support for the animals, they will die out.

# data[].attributes.body
I agree with Mrs. HM. Both creatures deserve to have a good life, so if you can sponsor both, you will be doing a favor to the economy

# data[].attributes.body
good point- justin

# data[].attributes.body
To refer to Suhani, it actually depends how much meat or dairy that person eats which reflects how hard it is to convert to vegan. -Madison

# data[].attributes.body
-Madison

# data[].attributes.body
-justin

# data[].attributes.body
I completely agree with Meghana. Though it will take some effort it is  possible to convert to a vegan diet. Anwika

# data[].attributes.body
To respond to Ms. Harman Murray's post a few minutes ago, I think we have to considers how much money have humans donated to help other humans. We shouldn't judge how much money we have donated to animals before thinking about how much we have gave to help humans.-Simran Tawari

# data[].attributes.body
To respond to madison, i don't think we built a relationship with these animals and are not commonly "pets." - Brennan

# data[].attributes.body
I respectfully disgaree with Rishmeen this is, because a house animal dieing has no effect really, but as the first source shows some animals really need our help. We need to help both humans  and animals, and as source 1 shows when some animals a re helped humans die. We need to comrimse to help humans  and animals. Benjamin

# data[].attributes.body
Could it be possible that we can remain dedicated to both animals and humans and try to make both animals and humans help each other instead of contributing to each other's suffering? - Maya

# data[].attributes.body
But Benjamin, remember that in article two where Hal Herzog specifies which animals people really care about. People could safely say that dogs have no purpose but to love. -Suhas

# data[].attributes.body
Adding on to what Benjamin said a few posts ago, we should save animals that play important roles in our ecosystems, for example animals like deer, and many others. The majority of animals that we have as pets do not play such a large role in the ecosystem. For example a dog, a cat, or a hamster. -Anaya

# data[].attributes.body
Following up on what James wrote, does this mean I should support, say the local animal shelter, as well as sponsor a child in a third world country?

# data[].attributes.body
What about the people who aren't vegan. Many people will have trouble converting to a vegan diet - Suhani

# data[].attributes.body
Meghana: I think it is realistic to both because we share a slight symbiotic relationship with animals so they are worth saving ( response to Mrs.HM question)

# data[].attributes.body
Maya, some people may be vegan, but not everyone is vegan. If you look above I talk about how cow excrement is in manure.

# data[].attributes.body
TO respond to Mrs. Harman-Murray post approximently 10 ago, it is necessary to be help both groups. However, it is much harder to do both then to only do one.

# data[].attributes.body
TO respond to Mrs. Harman-Murray, it is necessary to be help both groups. However, it is much harder to do both then to only do one.

# data[].attributes.body
What should we discuss?

# data[].attributes.body
It is necessary to balance everything out. Both animals and humans deserve the same amount of attention. If there were no balance, a specie may go extinct. For example, if their are more humans than animals we would have less of a food supply to the world. (Rishmeen Kaur)

# data[].attributes.body
I disagree with Rishmeen because not every species is crucial to an ecosystem

# data[].attributes.body
Adding on to what Vedant said, many humans do not actually eat meat or other animal products, like for example vegans- Anaya

# data[].attributes.body
In article 2 it says that most of America eats certain critters on a regular, like cow, sheep, etc, yet how does no one care?

# data[].attributes.body
-Madison

# data[].attributes.body
Meghana: I think we have exhausted this topic, can we move on to another question

# data[].attributes.body
Milk, eggs, and meat are just a few examples

# data[].attributes.body
Regarding to what Jasleen said in teh inner circle: if a house cat or dog dies  would that really harm our species, but animals with real purpose in teh ecosystem we should help them. Benjamin

# data[].attributes.body
I agree with Vedant, but then again, material products are not the only reason we are protecting animals. Many people are doing it because of their religion or their beliefs. - Suhas

# data[].attributes.body
To respond to Vedant, Humans do not require these resources to survive.

# data[].attributes.body
Animals, like fish, for example, help humans gain money, which is another reason as to why animals are important to humans. -Bancy

# data[].attributes.body
People use animals for products for human consumption -Vedant

# data[].attributes.body
Meghana :True, but isn't that being selfish vedant like the 6th paragraph on page 2 of article 1

# data[].attributes.body
So, how important is it then that we strike some kind of balance between caring about animal suffering and caring about human suffering? Should we actually do both? Is this realistic?

# data[].attributes.body
I agree with Vedant, because bees and other pollinators contribute to the growth of many of our crops. If this stops then humans will die.

# data[].attributes.body
To refer to Jasleen, is it only birds that eat it and can throw up the trash?

# data[].attributes.body
I disagree with Vedant because we don't need animals to survive. This is because many people in the world are vegan, and they live healthy lives. Anwika

# data[].attributes.body
Is there anyone here who is more drawn to animal-related causes than  human causes?

# data[].attributes.body
I agree with what Maya said that humans have destroyed many animals' habitats. Because of humans, many animals are extinct or endangered. I think that because humans have caused suffering to so many animals, I feel more dedicated to helping animals.                                                                                                 -Simran Tawari

# data[].attributes.body
I think there can also be  a comprimiese for species who are in need. But, animals like dogs have a great population. Saving humans is more important. Benjamin

# data[].attributes.body
Replying to madison, other animals can die from trash, aquatic animals are commonly killed by plastic, we need to save animals to help out our habits - Brennan

# data[].attributes.body
I agree with James with his post earlier, because some people would be vegans, and they wouldn't care nor need these resources from animals.

# data[].attributes.body
Good point Brennan.

# data[].attributes.body
Meghana: Why do some of you think that animals are less important just because they can't communicate with us?

# data[].attributes.body
I agree with you, Brennan, because conserving and helping animals can help us in many ways. According to article #1, helping animals can help us succeed. Also, according to article #2, helping animals just makes people feel good in general. - Maya

# data[].attributes.body
I agree with Brennans post from about 15 posts ago. Although pets like dogs or cats are nice to have as companions, humans are much more valuable as they can work to grow food, create technology, and do much more. - Anaya

# data[].attributes.body
A anmial, like  a dog is nice, but a human is so much more valuble. Benjamin

# data[].attributes.body
I agree with Benjamin. However, we rely on animals for everyday meals. For example, the domestic cow's excrement is used in manure, which is used to grow plants -Vedant

# data[].attributes.body
Meghana: According to the last sentence of article 1, we depend on animals and animals depend on us

# data[].attributes.body
Students, if you hear something from the inner circle and it resonates with you, feel free to refer to it in your posts.

# data[].attributes.body
Is it really more important for a human to make money or an animal to be saved?

# data[].attributes.body
Saving animals can also lead to getting more money. For example,  in article one it said that children got an education because of saving animals. an education for children is very important. - Suhani

# data[].attributes.body
It means  a human has more value, they can work, they have purpose, and potential. Benjamin

# data[].attributes.body
I believe that he us saying that the humans might grow up to bolster the economy. -James

# data[].attributes.body
Are we always successful if we help ourselves? -Madison

# data[].attributes.body
to helping animals, like transfering endangered species them to sanctuary, would help humans make money- justin

# data[].attributes.body
Meghana: I think they mean that if you for example fish, you get more money by selling the fish

# data[].attributes.body
I believe that we should be more dedicated to helping animals, because animals contribute to human life. -Bancy

# data[].attributes.body
I want to add that by saving animals we can still get money. Article 1 states that, "When the animals are gone, economic prospects for humans diminish as well."-Simran T

# data[].attributes.body
I agree with Maya because according to article one, many areas have many conflicts because of animal welfare rights. We are the main reason why animals are going extinct. As we brought up before, if this continues on, we could run out of many resources. -Suhas

# data[].attributes.body
I am more dedicated to helping animals because the ecosystem to remain in balance is extremely important. If one specie went extinct, the whole ecosystem would fall. This would hurt the humans by reducing amounts of food and less amount oxygen, which is what the plants supply to the world. Humans could go extinct from this! Dead animals equal dead humans. We depend on each other! (Rishmeen Kaur)

# data[].attributes.body
How can saving humans lead to gaining more money? - Anaya

# data[].attributes.body
I think saving animals helps, more. It impacts humans in a way that we get more money and we could help humans with that money. In source 1 it writes that Empathy isn't a zero-sum game. This means helping animals can help us. - Brennan

# data[].attributes.body
I agree with Benjamin. Humans have many more opportunities to contribute to the world and make an impact. Anwika

# data[].attributes.body
How do we save more money by saving humans? - Suhani

# data[].attributes.body
Meghana: isn't that selfish

# data[].attributes.body
I think that I am more dedicated to the causes that help animals because humans are a major reason that many animal's habitat are being destroyed. It doesn't matter how much money we make because animals are a major part of our lives. - Maya

# data[].attributes.body
If we save humans we can gain more money. Benjamin

# data[].attributes.body
What does this mean: If we save humans we can gain more money? Also, how does this comment address guiding question #3?

# data[].attributes.body
Outer circle starts off with guiding question #3:                                                                                            Think about the causes you care most about. Are you more dedicated to helping animals or humans? Why? Use evidence from the articles to help support your position.                          Mrs. H-M

# data[].attributes.body
ANNOUNCEMENT: You will not get credit for making a contribution if you don't include your name at the end of the post.  ALSO, all posts must be rated G. This is not the forum for making jokes either.           Mrs. H-M