Beyond vegetarianism

by Anders Sandberg
A vegetarian approached me one day while I was eating, asking me (no doubt with the intention to sow guilt and preach a bit) "How can you eat *carrion*?". Unfortunately for him, I responded by happily explaining that it is quite natural for humans to eat carrion; after all, our evolutionary past suggests that we were opportunistic omnivores, eating meat whenever we could get it. Our teeth seem to be well adapted to chewing meat made tender by a slight rot, something we later replaced with cooking.

In fact, being purely vegetarian is unnatural. There are to my knowledge no indigenous people living only of vegetables (something that is very hard to do without advanced nutrition and availability of a wide variety of vegetables around the year). Being adaptive we can become vegetarian (or purely carnivorous) if we choose today, but it is an individual choice made based on our own values and not on any biological support. Vegetarianism can be seen as a kind of self-expression, a decision to overcome our biological heritage as omnivores for a herbivorous diet more in accordance to our ethics or aesthetic.
This transhumanist way of seeing vegetarianism is of course not very accepted by most vegetarians, of which an eloquent subset regard un- or non- natural things as bad. To get rid of the cognitive dissonance they attempt to show that humans really are herbivores, and that the meat-eating establishment is wrong. It is too bad they lack the courage to see vegetarianism as what it is: a deliberate change in our biology, based on culture not nature.
I will not go into the health benefits and problems of a vegetarian diet, I'm no nutritionist and this essay has other axes to grind. Instead of looking at eating green to improve one's health I'm more interested in strong ethical vegetarianism, the idea that it is wrong to eat meat since it implies killing other animals. There is also "weak ethical vegetarianism", which opposes eating meat because of the often bad conditions animals are brought up in; if these conditions were to be significantly improved this condition would become untenable.
While it is easy to point out that "natural" predators also kill prey all the time without anybody regarding them as unethical, I think ethical vegetarians have a point. Our ethics, a cultural construction that can be as absurd or practical as we or our memes (Self-reproducing idea or other information pattern which is propagated in ways similar to that of a gene) desire, can and should determine in what directions we autoevolve (Evolution directed by intelligent beings instead of natural selection).
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My personal ethics is based on the fundamental assumption that complexity and information is good. What does this imply about eating? Killing other living beings is of course negative, since we lose some of the complexity of the universe this way. On the other hand, the nutrients making up the animals and plants we eat, and their low entropic state, are used to sustain and develop our own beings. And humans are able to create systems of extreme complexity and information content; maybe it is good after all to eat chicken, since we can create more complexity in the world than the chicken could ever do? Or maybe it is just ethical for artists, scientists, engineers and other creative people to eat chicken, while it would be unethical for a bureaucrat to do so?
I think we need to take the long range view of this problem; detailed attempts to measure the complexity of different alternatives quickly run into the same problems as utilitarian happiness-calculations. In the long run, a temporary decrease in complexity can lead to a much greater increase in complexity in the future (a typical example is a forest fire, which enables many species to re-colonize a forest which otherwise would be almost a monoculture). If we as humans can make sure the complexity and information content of the universe increases vastly, then the small violations against the complexity ethics we out of necessity are guilty of can be forgiven. If we just feed on other beings with no intentions of ever changing the universe or our planet, then we are unethical. This leads to the interesting conclusion that the bio- fundamentalists, even if they are vegetarians, are behaving unethically as they prey upon other complex lifeforms while trying to preserve the complexity of the world as it is, with no increase or decrease, while it might be ethical for transhumans (Someone actively preparing for becoming posthuman [Persons of unprecedented physical, intellectual, and psychological capacity, self-programming, self-constituting, potentially immortal, unlimited individuals]. Someone who is informed enough to see radical future possibilities and plans ahead for them, and who takes every current option for self-enhancement) to enjoy a delicious dinner if it helps make the universe a more complex place one day. Fruitless table discussions are immoral!
Of course, it can still be argued that eating meat is bad even if we will eventually "repay" the universe by a huge increase in complexity. Not eating meat does however not guarantee more complexity, since fewer meateaters would mean less livestock reared and hence no net complexity increase. But there is a very real overhead in producing meat the current way by growing plants to use as food for the meat animal. So it seems like eating meat is slightly entropic, and the entropy increase becomes smaller the more we move towards the bottom of the food-chain.
So does this mean I have turned vegetarian? Not yet; I have never pretended to be completely rational, and eating habits are one of the more hardwired parts of our neural wiring. I realize that I do a lot of things each day that decrease the complexity of the world unnecessarily; reprogramming myself to avoid them is possible, but at present I think the mental resources needed to do it can be used in more constructive ways (or is this just my subsystems speaking?). So while I asymptotically move towards vegetarianism, it is interesting to consider other possibilities which would change the rules of the game, or go much further beyond vegetarianism.
One interesting possibility is the development of cultured meat. Growing tissues in vitro is at present a hot research subject, mainly directed toward culturing transplants, but if it succeeds there is no reason that the same techniques could be simplified and commercialized to meat culturing. Using a few precursor cells meat could be grown with no need of killing any animal and no animal suffering in a stock-yard, and likely with less waste of resources. It is interesting to note that many ethical vegetarians still react negatively to this idea, which suggests that it is not just intellectually considered ethics that has made them vegetarian.
Another possibility is to develop an animal which can produce meat without any need for killing. The archetypal example would be lizards who can shed their tails to escape predators; why not a meat animal which can shed meat without dying? This is essentially cultured meat that is grown in vivo instead of in vitro. It would in many ways be equivalent to eating fruits, which are harvested from plants (usually) with insignificant damage. The purely biological problems of implementing this are of course immense, since the kind of meat we usually eat consists of muscle tissue: how to grow muscles that can easily (and with no pain or danger to the animal) be removed, especially since muscles usually needs to be in use to grow? Needless to say, the idea of cows with "flesh fruits" on their backs would scare and sicken many, but ethically it is clearly preferred over killing animals for their meat unless one takes the extreme position that it is more wrong per se to change animals than to kill them.
In his book Islands in the Net Bruce Sterling suggests a radical alternative to vegetarianism based on eating yeasts and cultured bacteria (mainly for health reasons, since plants produce poisons to protect themselves, but maybe also ethical reasons). This may appear an extreme step, but it is possible to go one step further in the nutrient chain.
When I get the chance I plan to become fully autotrophic. Writers have speculated about plant-humans for a long time, but I plan something more original. I want to live in free space, living of sunlight and the minerals in asteroids. This way I will not need to sacrifice the complexity of any other lifeform to increase my own. This is the logical conclusion of the line of inquiry started by the vegetarian accusation of being a carrion-eater.

Benefits of Eating Vegetarian Food

a. Vegetarian food is the staple food of the world!
In reviewing typical menus around the world that are based primarily on grains and legumes with only a fraction coming from meat, milk and eggs, scientists have found a diet of about 2500 calories would supply 50% more protein than needed by 98% of the world's population!
b. Vegetarian food is healthy!
BY now all the most respectable and conservative nutrition journals have proclaimed that a good vegetarian diet is wholesome and healthful.

c. Vegetarian food does not cause deficiency!
As long as some milk is included in the regular diet, no evidence of deficiency is found.
d. Vegetarian food is good for your heart!
In fact, even conservative nutritionists have begun to speak of the dangers of eating too much meat. A wealth of evidence shows that increases in dietary cholesterol in take, present in animal products, leads to coronary heart disease. Vegetarians also have lower blood pressure because of an increased fibre intake.
e. Vegetarian foods help fight disease!
Further a vegetarian diet may reduce the risk of some kinds of cancer like cancer of the colon, rectum and breast. The ability of white cells to fight disease, is twice as much in vegetarians as in omnivores.
f. Vegetarian food is great for athletes and kids, too!
Children who are vegetarian still have enough nutrients for promoting growth and health. The balanced vegetarian diet provides the athlete with added reduction in coronary risk factors while meeting all known nutrition all needs.

Changing back to nature
First and foremost, the foods we eat should be as near the natural state as possible. They should be free of unnecessary chemicals in preserving, preparation and storage. The best anti - ageing pill is to eat less altogether and more lightly at each sitting, following the natural need of our bodies.

A word about fasting
In the ancient Asian tradition, fasting is termed a process of "Making one lighter". When properly done, it is a process of revitalization. This meant that one should be offered all the most nutritious aspects of the best quality of foods. The ideal technique for successful fasting is the use of fresh, raw fruits and vegetables or their juices. On such a diet, the full spectrum of nutrients is supplied in an easily assimilated form, so the digestive tract can remain essentially at rest. Try this when you've had a particularly heavy meal (don't we all!) or over eaten at a celebration!

Try carrot or celery juice supplemented with cucumber or spinach juice. Fresh apple, pineapple, black and green grape, mango juice are also popular. Although fresh sugar cane juice contains sugar, there is something in the fresh juice which does not cause dental decay! Eating refined sugar causes dental cavities. Try different combinations of fruit juices and spice them up with ginger or lemon juice.

Arthritis: relief through vegetarianism

by Lara Greguric

The symptoms began a few years ago. One morning, I awoke and was unable to move my hands. They were swollen shut into fists and attempting to wiggle my fingers was extremely painful. Over the next couple of weeks, the symptoms spread into other joints. My wrists, my shoulders, my knees and the joints in my feet became stiff, swollen, and tender. After a few weeks of suffering, I finally realized that this was not normal and went to see my family doctor. He referred me to a rheumatologist. At the ripe old age of 21, I was diagnosed with arthritis.

I was in shock upon hearing this diagnosis. I kept thinking "why me?" Arthritis was something that 85-year-old grandmothers get, not healthy, fit young adults.
Unfortunately, that belief is a myth. Arthritis is a blanket term for a disease that encompasses over 100 different conditions ranging from mild forms of tendinitis and bursitis to the crippling rheumatoid arthritis. As a disease, arthritis does not discriminate. It can inflict young children still in diapers, individuals in the prime of their lives, as well as the elderly. The condition is marked by an inflammation of the lining of the joints, resulting in joint and muscoloskeletal pain and eventual loss of mobility. Doctors do not yet know what causes arthritis and, although there is no known cure, symptoms can be treated through a variety of medications and lifestyle changes.
Immediately after my diagnosis, my symptoms worsened. I was mildly depressed and in a great deal of pain. There were days when I couldn't even get out of bed because of the swelling and stiffness. I was also experiencing a limited range of motion in some affected joints. I could no longer lift my arm up high enough to blow dry my hair and doing up zippers on the backs of dresses was impossible.
I was put on a series of non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). For those unfamiliar with NSAIDs, they are not the most user-friendly family of pharmaceuticals. They are quite powerful drugs that suppress immunity, have negative side effects on the liver and kidneys, and are corrosive to the lining of the stomach. I was unable to tolerate these medications. They gave me violent stomach cramps, nausea, and diarrhea. In my case, the prescribed treatment was almost as bad as the disease itself.
Growing increasingly impatient with traditional courses of therapy, I became convinced that there had to be a gentler, more effective way to treat my arthritis. After many hours spent reading everything I could on the topic, I discovered the link between diet, exercise, stress, and arthritis. Many conventional therapies treat only the symptoms of arthritis. On the other hand, lifestyle changes affect the individual as a whole, making him or her healthier and providing a more positive outlook. In turn, such changes have a positive effect on the disease itself. That is how I came to be a physically active, stress-managing vegetarian.
Countless studies published in various medical journals show that a vegetarian diet lessens the symptoms of arthritis in most people. Both the Arthritis Society in Canada and the Arthritis Foundation in the USA provide the following dietary recommendations for individuals suffering from arthritis:
· eat a variety of foods
· maintain an ideal weight
· avoid too much fat and cholesterol
· avoid too much sugar
· eat foods that are high in fibre
· avoid too much sodium
· limit alcohol consumption
The above recommendations are highly compatible with a vegetarian diet. Specifically, I started eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. I limited my intake of processed foods, caffeine, and sodium and stopped consuming alcohol altogether. My new vegetarian diet was high in antioxidants and phytochemicals, which promote joint health. It was also naturally low in fat, cholesterol, and sugar and high in fibre.
I also started a regular exercise program. The benefits of exercise were threefold. Exercise strengthened my muscles allowing them to support more of my weight, taking some of the pressure off of my joints. Exercise also helped me maintain an ideal weight ensuring there would be no excess pressure on my joints. Finally, exercise gave me an outlet to release stress in a positive manner.
After only a few short weeks, my lifestyle changes were having a profound effect on my quality of life. My pain and stiffness disappeared. I regained a full range of motion in the affected joints. Most importantly, I once again had a positive outlook on life. For the first time in a long while, I felt I had some control over my body.
Now, six years after my diagnosis, I no longer have to take medications for my arthritis. I am living relatively symptom-free thanks to vegetarianism, exercise, and stress-management.
I initially became a vegetarian for medical reasons, but eventually I evolved, taking up the ethical cause and becoming a vegan. Although I don't recommend that individuals forgo medical treatment altogether, I do suggest that they educate themselves and make positive lifestyle changes such as vegetarianism as soon as possible. In some cases, doing so may alleviate the symptoms of the disease making traditional therapy unnecessary.
For more information on arthritis see:
Arthritis Society: www.arthritis.ca
Arthritis Foundation: www.arthritis.org

Arthritis: relief through vegetarianism

by Lara Greguric

The symptoms began a few years ago. One morning, I awoke and was unable to move my hands. They were swollen shut into fists and attempting to wiggle my fingers was extremely painful. Over the next couple of weeks, the symptoms spread into other joints. My wrists, my shoulders, my knees and the joints in my feet became stiff, swollen, and tender. After a few weeks of suffering, I finally realized that this was not normal and went to see my family doctor. He referred me to a rheumatologist. At the ripe old age of 21, I was diagnosed with arthritis.
I was in shock upon hearing this diagnosis. I kept thinking "why me?" Arthritis was something that 85-year-old grandmothers get, not healthy, fit young adults.
Unfortunately, that belief is a myth. Arthritis is a blanket term for a disease that encompasses over 100 different conditions ranging from mild forms of tendinitis and bursitis to the crippling rheumatoid arthritis. As a disease, arthritis does not discriminate. It can inflict young children still in diapers, individuals in the prime of their lives, as well as the elderly. The condition is marked by an inflammation of the lining of the joints, resulting in joint and muscoloskeletal pain and eventual loss of mobility. Doctors do not yet know what causes arthritis and, although there is no known cure, symptoms can be treated through a variety of medications and lifestyle changes.
Immediately after my diagnosis, my symptoms worsened. I was mildly depressed and in a great deal of pain. There were days when I couldn't even get out of bed because of the swelling and stiffness. I was also experiencing a limited range of motion in some affected joints. I could no longer lift my arm up high enough to blow dry my hair and doing up zippers on the backs of dresses was impossible.
I was put on a series of non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). For those unfamiliar with NSAIDs, they are not the most user-friendly family of pharmaceuticals. They are quite powerful drugs that suppress immunity, have negative side effects on the liver and kidneys, and are corrosive to the lining of the stomach. I was unable to tolerate these medications. They gave me violent stomach cramps, nausea, and diarrhea. In my case, the prescribed treatment was almost as bad as the disease itself.
Growing increasingly impatient with traditional courses of therapy, I became convinced that there had to be a gentler, more effective way to treat my arthritis. After many hours spent reading everything I could on the topic, I discovered the link between diet, exercise, stress, and arthritis. Many conventional therapies treat only the symptoms of arthritis. On the other hand, lifestyle changes affect the individual as a whole, making him or her healthier and providing a more positive outlook. In turn, such changes have a positive effect on the disease itself. That is how I came to be a physically active, stress-managing vegetarian.
Countless studies published in various medical journals show that a vegetarian diet lessens the symptoms of arthritis in most people. Both the Arthritis Society in Canada and the Arthritis Foundation in the USA provide the following dietary recommendations for individuals suffering from arthritis:
· eat a variety of foods
· maintain an ideal weight
· avoid too much fat and cholesterol
· avoid too much sugar
· eat foods that are high in fibre
· avoid too much sodium
· limit alcohol consumption
The above recommendations are highly compatible with a vegetarian diet. Specifically, I started eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. I limited my intake of processed foods, caffeine, and sodium and stopped consuming alcohol altogether. My new vegetarian diet was high in antioxidants and phytochemicals, which promote joint health. It was also naturally low in fat, cholesterol, and sugar and high in fibre.
I also started a regular exercise program. The benefits of exercise were threefold. Exercise strengthened my muscles allowing them to support more of my weight, taking some of the pressure off of my joints. Exercise also helped me maintain an ideal weight ensuring there would be no excess pressure on my joints. Finally, exercise gave me an outlet to release stress in a positive manner.
After only a few short weeks, my lifestyle changes were having a profound effect on my quality of life. My pain and stiffness disappeared. I regained a full range of motion in the affected joints. Most importantly, I once again had a positive outlook on life. For the first time in a long while, I felt I had some control over my body.
Now, six years after my diagnosis, I no longer have to take medications for my arthritis. I am living relatively symptom-free thanks to vegetarianism, exercise, and stress-management.
I initially became a vegetarian for medical reasons, but eventually I evolved, taking up the ethical cause and becoming a vegan. Although I don't recommend that individuals forgo medical treatment altogether, I do suggest that they educate themselves and make positive lifestyle changes such as vegetarianism as soon as possible. In some cases, doing so may alleviate the symptoms of the disease making traditional therapy unnecessary.
For more information on arthritis see:
Arthritis Society: www.arthritis.ca
Arthritis Foundation: www.arthritis.org