I've been thinking lately about why I went vegetarian. The past couple years, I've heard a lot about factory farming, and going vegan to "reduce suffering". But that wasn't why I went vegetarian, and that's not why I am opposed to animal testing and other abuses. I am against unnecessary farm. Buying meat from a small farm still promotes unnecessary harm, and unnecessary violence. It's an issue because I could easily get non-factory farmed meat. But is it necessary? No, I know it would be wrong of me to do, because I know better. I have to deny a part of myself to engage in such practices. Sure, if it is necessary, it is a different story. People also can be driven to practices such as cannibalism and infanticide in certain situations, but it's not pertinent to my situation. So, it's disingenuous to say it's about factory farms and the quality of an animal's life--that's just the tip of the iceberg for me, I see being vegan as an extension of the peace movement; avoiding harm when possible.

Boston was fun, I was mostly in Cambridge. Just walked around, went to my conference. Lots of good ideas there.. I am still chewing on them. Ithaca is small but beautiful and people are nice. Just so much slower-paced than I am used to. I wish finals were over...