Think Veganism | Kerry McCarthy | TEDxUniversityofStirling

Kerry speaks about her personal path to veganism and questions the concept of compassion in the contemporary environment. How did our brain really evolve?
Kerry McCarthy is a radio presenter and programme maker who has been vegan for over a decade and offers vegan news and advice on her popular KZbin channel ‘Kerry McCarpet’. She has worked on BBC Radios 2, 3, 4 and 5 Live, LBC and various local stations, BBC and commercial. Despite the growth of veganism in recent years there is still a lack of awareness surrounding the relationship between a plant-based diet and our bodies, which Kerry will delve into, and as well as give us a comprehensive look into just how beneficial veganism can be for ourselves, the animals and the planet. Her witty and knowledgeable videos have made her account a favourite within the online vegan community and allowed her to travel around the UK delivering speeches on veganism, to vegans, vegetarians and omnivores alike.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@artbabe2944]

She has the ultimate voice of reason. Not only is her voice deep and powerful, her insights feed my thoughts endlessly. She's just brilliant.

[@jessicaparnell3152]

So well put

[@CastledarkDweller27]

Beautifully said Lauren. i think youre pretty brilliant too.

[@nunyadambidniss]

NO.

[@fergusologhlen8426]

@@marius-mugurelmarincas1527 animal protein promotes the growth of IGF-1, a cancer producing hormone. There are also so many studies that suggest links to cancer and disease. Many studies that cover up these links are very often sponsored by the animal agricultural industries.. Cancer cells can take decades to grow in our bodies, fuelled buy excessive animal proteins.

[@fanniterrette]

​@@marius-mugurelmarincas1527 The World Health Organization is one source. WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) announced that consumption of processed meat is “carcinogenic to humans (Group I ),” and that consumption of red meat is “probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A).” Hope this helps.

[@AddictedToDates]

Wow. This is enlightening, I'll be watching this one over and over ☺

[@MrDanielfff777]

Why did you stop making KZbin videos

[@DitloNio]

Guys, spread this video. I think she talks about a lot of interesting things that I think a lot of people can benefit from.

[@peterjones8335]

Good speech, vegan 30 years and still dumbfounded by people's ignorance and callousness

[@DaleAmigaman]

This has to be one of the best talks I've ever heard. It makes total sense to me.

Definitely going vegan! Thank you for the information.

[@jamesbehncke3744]

Still vegan?

[@evelyngarcia3207]

As a vegan, I am thoroughly impressed with her talk. She presented her ideas very well and I hope others are inspired and see the real reasons why being vegan is smart.

[@MrDanielfff777]

Are you still vegan

[@evelyngarcia3207]

@@MrDanielfff777 Of course

[@MrDanielfff777]

@@evelyngarcia3207 I respect that👏🏾 have you got an Instagram page i can follow?

[@stewartkotler9024]

There's no such thing as a vegan.... Check out avocados and veganism and you understand why there's no such thing as a vegan

[@stewartkotler9024]

If you claim to be a vegan and you don't eat honey and if you won't eat figs then you wouldn't eat avocados either or any other food that is mass produced agriculture

[@candaceproud]

My sister-in-law had a baby and she was a vegan the whole pregnancy and had a healthy 7.4 lb baby girl and then 2 years later she was a surrogate for another family and had a healthy 8 lb baby boy being 100% vegan during both pregnancies , the kids are happy and healthy and have no health problem and they are both vegan kids. And on top of that I have Lupus and ever since I stopped eating meat 3 years ago my health problems have improved drastically, I'm not as swollen and in as much pain anymore I can sleep for 6 hours instead of 3 hours.

[@isabellehenley6357]

Ok I've watched a lot of vegan videos and I didn't think my mind could be blown more! (if that makes sense)

[@enerjustics]

Mind blown because you agree with the though process and the information presented or mind blown because of the impressive display of mental gymnastics that's required to come to these conclusions?

[@namitasharma6015]

i m so proud of u

[@MrDanielfff777]

@@enerjustics shh

[@ImprovingAbility]

Why does this not have a million views?

[@piotrnowak8725]

Not enough shares ;)

[@VeganoGuy]

Because people don't want to hear things that they don't want to hear.

[@sarahloffler1872]

It’s up to us in the comment section to pass it on. Community effort! Let’s do this!

[@Fuzed97Gaming]

People prefer comforting lies to inconvenient truths

[@LorenaGarcia-ml3vz]

This video is a must watch.

[@ladyfaye8248]

It is great to see TED involved now in putting the Animal Liberation message out there! I like to think that perhaps I have been instrumental in bringing this inclusion to reality when I wrote to suggest this subject to TED and offered to do a talk myself. I am happy to see that Earthling Ed has also done a TED talk! This is what I call INTELLIGENT, WORTHWHILE talking!

[@Aaaymee]

I actually invited Kerry to give this presentation during my final year at the University of Stirling 4 years ago! I'm so happy she said yes and I'm really pleased to see how many views this video has now. If you have the opportunity to host a TEDx event, you have the power to choose your lineup :) Thank you for contacting the organisation also! I'm sure if they receive enough requests they will look into it further.

[@nadiaaidan]

I love everything about this woman, how she speaks, what's she saying, her thoughts and her humour

[@rojocolorado3764]

....and plant based meals simply taste great. There are tens of thousands of plants we as people can eat.

[@toygummybear9397]

Yeah I went vegan over time first cutting out meat and realising how much better my stomach felt after eating plants and legumes ! Also started to learn the cruelty behind dairy that was enough to shun it completely! Still can’t understand why some of my family members still have it after knowing about the cruelty when it’s so easy to just have an alternative

[@MarkasTZM]

and they taste even better after using cannabis!

[@SumilatsFansReadURLs]

@@MarkasTZM LMFAO

[@SumilatsFansReadURLs]

@bugsan ?

[@xcxscot9850]

@seb Never understood this arguement. So what? Most people aren't raised vegan, they're raised omni. Cheese is good, milk is good, meat is good. Why not have substitutes for the foods one enjoyed before going vegan? At the end of the day, no animals had to be stuffed into cells and slaughtered after a poverty like state of life. It has nothing to do with nutritional deficiencies but everything to do with alternatives that don't contribute to the mass slaughter and exploitation of animals, but I think you already knew that.

[@bo_trilly]

I'm subscribing to ted because of this video

[@bandit2048]

Already a vegan - but loved to watch this- this lady knows what she's talking about- we need far more people like this to turn the planet round- the announcement of US to withdraw from the world climate change accord only emphasises the need of the world to stop eating meat as well as tackling CO2 emissions.

[@ElinWinblad]

bandit2048 the ya withdrew because and as is notable after withdrawing lots of American took action where as if they signed the paper and paid money no American would have done anything to actually help. A piece of paper and money paid to others when it could be put to use in the USA to fix actual problems causing it.

[@GoVeganForTheAnimal]

Beautiful words, insightful connections, important message. Thank you for your powerful video, Kerry!

[@huwwackman_excel]

What a speech. I'm so impressed. I feel like i'm in the MATRIX where I live. Denial of the obvious is scary to me and I have nothing in common this the majority of people i interact with. Why isn't someone like this running our countries.

[@josua_fx]

Wake up, Neo

[@dragonfairy22]

Brilliant talk! She should do this much more on different platforms, she has a gift.

[@davidhutchinson5233]

Kerry...you are an amazing woman. An artist, an inspiration......Thank you.

[@lydiam-j986]

No idea how many times i've watched this by now. Or how many of my poor friends i have spammed with it over time.

[@jessicaparnell3152]

what were the responses?

[@marinatolmie5204]

Jessica Rossato They really don’t. I share all sorts of articles, lectures, and documentaries about veganism on my Facebook page, and I get no reactions at all. Nothing. Not even arguments against it or angry comments. It’s really frustrating.

[@anushkakulkarni2238]

Haha I know right....I get ... "I'm almost vegetarian.. like I only eat meat 3days a week" urrghhh.

[@OtakuQueenMMD]

Marina Tolmie it’s because people don’t have time to deal with you. We don’t want to argue. We don’t care about you being vegan.

[@nandinijust1007]

This is what people need . many people are not vegan or don't even think of being vegan because they don't have the right type of exposure . I am very glad that she explains all this in a humorous and friendly way . Well done . .

[@Academic_G]

Tony Wright! Never thought his theory would be elaborated in a TedX talk! This is great. Definitively going to share this.

[@shanafife3228]

This is the best talk I've heard in a long time.

[@MysticRebelle7]

Saving the environment, improving your own health, and preventing animal suffering - there are so many reasons to go vegan: • Animals: a vegan lifestyle is the most effective way to protect animals. You can save lives every single time you eat. • Environment: animal agriculture is the source of 51 per cent of all greenhouse gases and 91 per cent of Amazon rainforest destruction, and it's the number one cause of species destruction and ocean dead zones. • Health: eating animal-derived foods can clog your arteries with cholesterol and increase your risk of suffering from obesity, cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.

[@aasd3477]

That's odd, I was 92% certain the majority of Amazonian deforestation was in part due to harvesting of palm oil, which is (correct me if i'm wrong) not meat or an animal product.

[@MayorBrownn]

a asd you are wrong

[@Chiungalla79]

​@@aasd3477 Actually, most of it is due to cash crops to feed the livestock. Depending on where you look it is at least 90 to over 95%. The problem why you are confused is twofold: - Palm oil is thought of to be easier avoided than animal products by the environmentalists. So for a long time they "attacked" palm oil instead of animal products. Because they don't want their effort go to waste. After all, people have an emotional attachment to animal products, while they could not care less about what kind of oil they eat. - Palm oil is mostly produced in parts of the world where island populations are under special danger by excessive agriculture. Orang Utans are for example more endangered by palm oil in their area than they would be by soy for animals.

[@flipczech]

Right on, Sister. Great talk. Wish more people could realize how important it is to stop the raising and torture of animals for food. Only then will all violence stop.

[@maxbax70]

Go Vegan

[@toygummybear9397]

maxbax70 I did

[@OtakuQueenMMD]

No

[@MohamedAdel-kl1nn]

Already...14 months 🌱🌱💪❤ Wish I had been all my lives ..😞

[@charlesfraunhofer7893]

I'd rather go beegan, being bullied by vegetarians is the reason I don't listen to people with selfish attitudes about my diet. You're veggies, you're supposed to help people, morals is what you need to put you in your place, you're not cute by telling me I'm a theif because I eat honey! You make less vegetarian people look bad, that's why I don't get tied into vegetarian extremism.

[@RubenTricky]

@@charlesfraunhofer7893 don't do it for the annoying vegans. Do it for the animals :)

[@gulagguard4602]

One of the greatest talks ever. A very important talk.

[@reeceball]

I love her KZbin channel, and when I discovered this video I nearly fell out of my chair in excitement.

[@gwen8320]

What's her username? I found her twitter but it doesn't link to the channel.

[@456mjb]

Kerry McCarpet

[@456mjb]

"her popular KZbin channel ‘Kerry McCarpet’."

[@julianwarmington1267]

I had no idea that she had a channel; i recognize her voice from PBN, Plant Based News, for which she hosts weekly or monthly updates sometimes. Her voice is quite distinctive, and i'd not seen her face before. Very glad to hear of her channel; going to subscribe now!

[@PhilippeOrlando]

Still, I know people who wouldn't pay attention to what she says and wouldn't be affected by her speech. Most people are indeed powered by a combination of wishful thinking, instant gratification and a serious dose of cognitive dissonance. I'm surrounded by idiots who love bacon.

[@courtneyhamilton4495]

I love you Kerry! So inspiring! I could listen to you talk forever

[@someguy2135]

"...Society has us inflicting these violent acts of indifference..." So true! So beautifully said!

[@elsjemassyn8921]

Kerry McCarthy - you have nailed it!!! Thanks for the information - its very usable especially when trying to convince a meat-eater that we love that their habits are detrimental to their health and the health of the planet. Thumbs up!!

[@elzavala1898]

Wonderful talk with some great insight. Very convincing in regards to what our natural diet more than likely was before meat. The 19 minute mark felt a bit short in my opinion, she should be given more time.

[@FM-qm5xs]

I have only been vegan for 2 years so the sense of awakening when I made the switch is still fresh in my mind. It's like all the indoctrination and cognitive dissonance was stripped away and I was seeing things clearly for the first time in my life. All the subconscious weight of lying to myself is gone. I can't believe I didn't see it before.

[@andyinzuerich]

Isn’t she incredible? Such intelligence, frankness and heart.

[@Paul_Palma]

Terrence McKenna; "Culture is not your friend, culture IS NOT your friend"!

[@ethicalphytophage]

Mind blown! As a vegan who has consumed lots of vegan content on the internet, Kerry's mind is just amazing. This is a lot of food for thought! 🙏

[@someguy2135]

This was so original and compelling. The analogy of a toxic relationship and our standard omnivorous diet rang so true to me!

[@robert10197]

I am in LOVE with this woman she is BRILLIANT oh my god. So insightful!!!

[@olakruk4973]

I have exactly the same questions since I became vegan, why haven't others done it too? It blows my mind and literally tortures me that conslusions I have reached are not so obvious for everyone. The best decision I have made, I just wish I had done much much earlier.

[@susanest]

I think most vegans would completely agree with you, Ola. I do. And if you want to understand much more about the consequences of our actions, but also why it's so hard for so many to see the truth, please read Dr. Will Tuttle's brilliant book The World Peace Diet. No one explains it all better!

[@EmeliaSings]

I wish the audio was higher, I like to listen to TedTalks while cleaning my room or do laundrey, but low audio makes it hard. Though this is a really important topic and I'm glad that this video exists.

[@elsjemassyn8921]

I watched this 3 x times. Cognitive dissonance is the mental disease of our time. Excellent speech 👍

[@llegumesv5492]

One of my fav videos. Yea I always find it so weird when meat eaters say things like I could never stop eating meat. But its truly just a chemical addiction. It can be overcome. Vegan ftw!

[@bellabear1974]

Amazing! Saving this and sharing far and wide! What an amazing TED Talk by an amazing intelligent awakened lady!

[@estanford826]

Wow. This young lady has really thought this through. Impossible to argue with. Well done.

[@hidden909]

So articulate, I’ve been vegan 12 years now, it can be difficult and isolating sometimes but well worth it

[@tranquil87]

Small correction: Dr. Greger doesn't advocate a low fat WFPB diet. He's very liberal about fats from whole foods, like Dr. Fuhrman. They do not believe in 80/10/10 and they're big fans of certain nuts and seeds being eaten every day.

[@tjhuana9105]

one of the best talks I've heard in a long time

[@phlutey]

Wow I’m surprised this one’s not got more views, she delivers her points in such refreshing ways this is awesome.

[@nickyschmidt2814]

Oh my goodness. I wish I'd had that intelligence argument during a discussion this morning. Great message.

[@nanjappa42]

One of the more sparkling and deeper talks.

[@firangele8094]

Very well presented. Thank you, this different approach may resonate with the omnivore community.🙏🏻❤️

[@katelowry3202]

hello. 5 year vegan and imma go get an apple

[@zanirani]

Brilliant. Worth listening again and again. Each time I pick up something new. Make more videos, Kerry!

[@nandinijust1007]

And there is a big difference in being vegan for these reasons (like the ones she explains in this video) or going vegan just for following some cool trend . One should be vegan for stopping the intense immense mass suffering of these poor and amazing animals

[@Alex-lt9pp]

Only 60k bloody views? This should have 6 million views!! Share share share.

[@troyporter1428]

Great talk. This is a conclusion with brain development that actually make sense.

[@kenengirth3022]

She was brilliant, very interesting 🌱🌱🌱

[@patrikbostrom3347]

Spot on! I totally agree that veganism is the only way if we want to continue to evolve our societies. Only when we take responsibility for the consequences of our actions, our world will prosper.

[@LWMksDlc]

One of the smartest talk about veganism in my opinion.

[@halo5moments79]

30 seconds in and already refreshing to hear a sane voice.

[@ktkungfutaichi]

👏👏👏 Very original aproach and enlightened speech.

[@jeromefalcon3001]

She's brilliant !!!

[@joshuabenson28]

This is without doubt the most brilliant Ted talk (Ted or TedX) I have ever seen. Thank you, Kerry!!

[@siddharthyadav2569]

One of the best talks I have seen about veganism.

[@eatfoodnotanimals861]

*The closest thing to a goddess is a vegan woman, so beautiful.*

[@yoso585]

Eat Food Not Animals This one for sure!

[@JAHQ79]

Actually, those are the same... ;-)

[@zellgado]

So smooth

[@jeffrey7865]

We're children of God😊

[@taviejohnson1884]

This is like my internal monologue when I hear people talking about eating animal products. It's everything I, and probably most other vegans, think but much more organized, concise and powerful. This is excellent. One of the best Ted Talks I've ever seen!

[@metalWarriorCZ]

this is an awesome speach. Bravo.

[@lakervoxx597]

Just lining up a comfy spot and strapping in to watch this for the 4th time... This is great work.

[@msives]

interesting analogy with Jeremy Kyle like tv shows. "Cos I love him..."......very true. A dysfunctional relationship

[@justincarrubba759]

This is an extremely good video. She is very well-spoken

[@Penguinstudios123]

11:50 I never thought of that! I’m already vegan but I love it! Gonna use it in future discussions !!

[@vegancolleen]

Absolutely brilliant. Thank you, thank you. An exquisite articulation of ideas and observations that have been bubbling in my mind, but only partially formed and very inarticulately. This is an argument that should sway those most resistant.

[@jonstollard484]

Mind blowing stuff, what a presentation.

[@BeEarthAware]

One of the best ted talks I’ve watched!

[@falconbrother2339]

Really great talk. I wish I could give this one multiple thumbs up!

[@bobluhrs]

Excellent video with lots of sound reasoning, loved it.

[@scottfishkind5335]

Brilliant talk on every level! 🌱☀️❤️

[@shanonm7528]

This should be required viewing. Illuminating!

[@Babsza]

Very good analogies !

[@suetownsend2170]

Your focus is your greatest attribute, keep going Rollo, keep going ! xxx

[@pal1ndr0me]

This was such an amazing talk!!!!

[@9catlover]

she is the most convincing person i have heard regarding why people should go vegan. it's amazing

[@RobertCheekeShow]

This was so awesome! Loved it!

[@VeganWalk]

"If your head in your heart or telling a few different thing one of them is wrong" Yes!!!

[@greyhnd001]

So true I have been whole food plant based for over 10 years now and barely ever have to go to a doctor for anything. I did have to because I wasn't eating iodine but have recently started taking seaweed that has tons of iodine. My poor doctor doesnt get to see me too often . I am 51, I juggle,program microchips, run occassionally and grow hydroponics in my basement. I have a string of lights controlled by a microchip in the front of my house. I blame all my energy on the whole food plant based diet.

[@ziondrumwright]

This was very enlightening, thank you! :)

[@PoFFizdaMan]

THIS.. is the best thing I've seen so far this year.

[@Marilyn88-]

Thank you for posting 💛

[@alexseleznov8256]

Great talk! It is changing society. Plant based products are taking over and its thanks to Kerry and all us vegans raising awareness and spreading love. I just did a video on how business is changing and animal derived products will be eliminated in the next 20 years or so... exciting times!

[@WeAreCameron]

Wow that was a fantastic speech.

[@Michajeru]

I really liked this video. This video is the one I will recommend to people with whom I get into discussions about the logic of becoming vegan.

[@missiris1234]

Great talk. I bet there are more vegans out there

[@doreenfinn1072]

Luv the comment about the business of saving the human from depression, etc...when might be correlated with meat eating......

[@jessicaparnell3152]

This is one of the best talks I've seen about the psychology of veganism. Brill!

[@AndrewRobinson-ee7um]

Fascinating. Thanks for posting.

[@jadex38]

Great speech- very enlightening!

[@arturoarino]

WOW just wow!! this deserves to be seen by a lot more people!

[@VeganWalk]

This is epically brilliant!