Toward Rational, Authentic Food Choices | Melanie Joy | TEDxMünchen

Melanie Joy on Carnism and other food choices.
Melanie Joy, Ph.D., Ed.M. is a Harvard-educated psychologist, professor of psychology and sociology at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, a noted speaker, and the author of "Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows." Melanie is a recipient of the Institute of Jainology’s Ahimsa Award. Her work has been featured by numerous media outlets including the BBC, Germany’s ARD, ABC Australia, the New York Times and Spiegel Online. Melanie has given her carnism presentation on five continents. She is also the founder and president of the organization Beyond Carnism (formerly Carnism Awareness & Action Network) and the project Karnismus erkennen (German-speaking countries).
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

[@waldoperedo7713]

“If you think that being vegan is difficult, imagine being a factory farmed animal.” -Davegan Raza

[@TheVenusProjectInfo]

This is ultimate motivation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@stacib1199]

great point!! I jus started other day n I'll remember that.

[@MagisterialVoyager]

What a powerful quote! Thank you for sharing.

[@yarharyar]

@Rae Edwin ya get used to it.

[@itz_leequirrielexlaflamant2091]

Wow

[@hannalor333]

I cried... i can't eat animals anymore. I'll ask a vegan friend to help me

[@laurajespersen7373]

+hannalor333 Great that you're asking for help. There's also a lot of vegan youtubers who have good information :)

[@hannalor333]

Thank you :) Now I'm vegan since two months!

[@maylightbewithyou]

hannalor333 Awesome! You are awesome!!

[@bigbaldin]

@@hannalor333 you're awesome :) glad that you're vegan now. A vegan diet can be difficult, so I would recommend to check the vegan Reddit. Those people help a lot and it's quite a nice community

[@hannalor333]

@@bigbaldin I'm actually vegan now since I wrote that comment :D almost five years now! woop woop

[@zzabellaa7972]

"to reduce a life to a unit of production" such a powerful line.

[@petershaw7792]

I have been vegan for 17+ years and counting. This video is VERY important for everyone to watch. Way to go Melanie!!!

[@musclebrainsmartypants6275]

+Peter Shaw Idea* Eating meat is claiming to have more claim over another sentient being than the sentient being itself. Veganism is just an extension to libertarianism.

[@TheAltruismActivist]

What have you learned from being vegan that long?

[@nisargab19]

do u still feel great in being a vegan?

[@Phoenix-uy7nm]

I used to be so disconnected from the reality of eating meat. I would never watch factory farm videos because I didn't want to feel guilty and I didn't want to face the painful reality. I'm so glad I finally woke up and decided not to look the other way.

[@Phoenix-uy7nm]

Abigail Stamaris Yay! I'm so happy for you that you've also made this choice! :) I started from vegetarianism too, thinking that it was "enough" but when I started researching dairy and egg production I couldn't stand how brutal it all was. It still supports the same industry and in some ways is even more cruel. :( I can't touch meat/dairy/eggs anymore and even passing them in the grocery stores make me feel sick. But both of us together can make a better world for the animals! High five!

[@DocRunaway]

Freja Richards On the contrary, I was raised in a farm. I myself learned how to kill chickens with my own hands and saw lambs being killed. It wasn't an industrialized farm though, so certain cruel practices were out. And since I was born with that reality so close - not through internet videos - I don't feel uncomfortable with it.

[@Shooter21Des]

Wow thats AWESOME!

[@Phoenix-uy7nm]

Docrunaway, killing animals with your bare hands is just as sick and twisted as paying for somebody else to do it. Do you expect a medal or a pat on the back for being an animal killer? Literally WTF. I spent my childhood in the sticks myself, but I managed to keep myself from becoming desensitized like yourself.

[@DocRunaway]

Freja Richards I know moral superiority is what propels you, but seriously get over it.

[@marbintj7242]

This is the Most important thing I've seen in my entire life

[@itsallme2029]

+Lara Bu yesss! GO VEGAN

[@vrindasview2714]

It really is so important

[@QuantumFengShui]

Being a Vegan you will look 20 years younger and healthier

[@saidinjest]

+Sasem Lunc not always true. I'm vegan, but I'll eat anything that happens to be vegan. Not just the healthy stuff. And I loves me some beer.

[@filippan5281]

I can't nothing but agree

[@enkelingdaemen2306]

I'm literally almost crying at the part where she tries to increase awareness.

[@Chrisisms]

That's a natural reaction. Don't bury it with lies or burgers. Maintain a clear conscience and good health with plant diets.

[@RelatedGiraffe]

Enkeling Daemen Isn't that part the entire video?

[@enkelingdaemen2306]

Chrisisms Doing that already, it just keeps on surprising me how much the cruelty hits me.

[@enkelingdaemen2306]

RelatedGiraffe I meant the footage of the animals being treated that way!

[@RelatedGiraffe]

Enkeling Daemen Okay!

[@mthfay]

What a beautiful, inspiring lady. I'm already a vegan but she is a great example how we should talk with people.

[@qtaayy]

This is a beautiful Ted Talk. I've been vegan for nearly a year now all thanks to watching this video that made me commit to this lifestyle. Becoming vegan was one of the best decision I've ever made for myself, the animal, and the environment.

[@ks1u]

I am 65, became a vegetarian (now a vegan) in 1976. This presentation is the single best argument for eliminating animal based foods (and the resultant suffering) from our diets that I have seen. Thanks very much for your research, dedication and efforts. Change comes slowly, but we are making a difference. We will never achieve our potential as a species until we eliminate animal based foods from our diets.

[@faridaugust]

This video was what finally made me go vegan after a few months of researching and playing with the idea. Thank you Melanie for such an eloquent and powerful talk. More people definitely need to watch this!

[@TheAltruismActivist]

That's awesome that you made the connection! Check out my channel for recipes, ideas, and information :)

[@McSharbucks]

I've been a vegetarian my whole life and recently went vegan (I'm ashamed I didn't do that earlier). It takes a lot to make me cry, but I started sobbing uncontrollably during the slaughter portion. I've always known why I won't eat animals, but watching something like that will devastate you like nothing else. I strongly believe true compassion towards each other begins with the compassion towards animals, just as the Leo Tolstoy quote in the end states.

[@chuong19]

Instantly cried at the first video she showed. Immediately went over to my dog with tears running down my face, apologizing to her for how bad we humans are. I can't eat animals anymore. I just can't.

[@reasonablyobsessed]

So...how's it going? Still at it?

[@laurentfaurite9199]

I hope you are joking.

[@massimilianobasalari8879]

@@laurentfaurite9199 pure qua vieni a fare il troll? Lo hai visto almeno il video?

[@laurentfaurite9199]

@@massimilianobasalari8879 Ecco il cerbero. Si.

[@massimilianobasalari8879]

@@laurentfaurite9199 meglio cerbero che tonto... infatti hai visto il video (?) ma, come al solito, non ci hai capito una beata mazza. Non mi aspettavo certo di meglio da parte tua... però che tristezza...

[@johnnyveganite9141]

Been vegetarian15 years and vegan 3 years, I've been spreading that vegan message for the animals. Peace all.

[@musclebrainsmartypants6275]

+NoMeatMe Idea* Eating meat is claiming to have more claim over another sentient being than the sentient being itself. Veganism is just an extension to libertarianism.

[@TheRiceIndustry]

+Musclebrain Smartypants I don't see how it being liberal is bad. Veganism is just simply respecting another animal's right to be free.

[@musclebrainsmartypants6275]

Fruit Climber V Being a socialist means you are ok with using force to take property, liberty and the life of someone else. I'm not saying that is wrong. I'm just saying that being a liberal is the logical choice as an ethical vegan. I don't know... Just looking for feedback.

[@oztaff1]

Eyes roll

[@laurentfaurite9199]

@@TheRiceIndustry This right doesn't exist.

[@gigiluvsbts]

A vegan friend of mine suggested I watch this video, and I am so happy I did! Will be sharing with my vegan and non-vegan friends. Thank you for this.

[@LouisGedo]

Brilliant presentation! One of the best TED presentations ever!

[@khurshmian6156]

I must agree totally. Dr. Melanie Joy has assisted humanity in their quest to unleash the mental shackles that lead us into savage barbarity. The person of intent and worth does not bully others or allow their lives to be a conveyer belt for violence against others. IT IS NOT FOOD!! ITS VIOLENCE!!!!

[@orionantares]

Savory's TED presentation was better.

[@LouisGedo]

Orion Antares In what way? I saw his pathetic presentation about a year ago and his troubling "solution" would be a disaster if implemented. Remember how sure he thought he was in having the "solution" when he had 40,000 innocent elephants murdered before he realized he was dead wrong? Allan Savory is a regressive, reckless thinker who offers nothing but bloodshed of the innocent as a "solution".

[@khurshmian6156]

In the she gets into the cultural/social aspect of things.

[@NaderMoavenianIran]

Thanks Dr. Melanie Joy for this powerful presentation. It brought tears to my eyes thinking that how I could be an accomplice in murderer of so many innocent beings throughout my life by simply born into a society that being carnivorous was a normal way of life. I have tried twice being a vegetarian in my life due to philosophical reasons and failed to stay away from eating meat since it was hard for me to put up with inconvenience of remaining a vegetarian. But now I am more determined than ever to put an end to an awful practice and move toward being a better human being.

[@YourChoise77]

facebook.com/onegreenplanet?fref=nf here you go Sir, some awesome ideas of vegan food! Keep trying, you can do it!

[@JovankaCiaresHerbalist]

Such an important conversation and such a compassionate approach to an uncomfortable topic. Vegans and those who promote compassion to animals are not angry (as some would like to believe). We simply have passion in the awareness and knowledge. We need to share and spread the word. Our future depends on it.

[@stylinyuja99]

Perfect response :) ❤️

[@123Reiny]

She has a video which conveys the same message but uses animations to explain it. There is no slaughterhouse footage involved. Just type 'melanie joy the secret reason we eat meat' and you'll find it.

[@paifu.]

I am angry af, many vegans are.

[@HelensClipz]

this video has seriously opened my eyes as soon as I can I'm going vegan

[@blackflash7030]

+Helen Dances Same

[@HelensClipz]

+Emy N. not as yet I'm afraid but I'm fully vegetarian now and will transition when I move out hopefully:)

[@HelensClipz]

Only that it'll be a big step but I know I definitely will when I'm not with my parents anymore!

[@HelensClipz]

Yeah I'm trying to do so right now and am having the least amount of dairy and eggs as I can when it's possible! Thank you :)

[@sasuke22dante]

+Helen Dances well done Helen, that's a wise transition. Hopefully you will go fully vegan soon :) I also went vegetarian a few months ago and this month fully vegan

[@bcarp9417]

This should have millions of views..

[@Megsducks]

I've been a vegan for 8 months now, so I usually don't watch videos of farms and animal death, since you know, I'm not contributing to it anyway. I had this up while I was drawing, to listen to it, and I went to pause it just as they were shooting a bolt into a calf's head. I used to be able to watch those videos and just gasp and feel terrible, but this time it knocked the wind out of me. I just immediately starting crying, like heavy heaving and sobs. I just had to hold my face in my hands and cry for a solid few minutes. It's so easy to forget what animal products do. It's so easy to see milk, cheese, yogurt, and not think about the animal that died to make it for you. I have to watch this kinda stuff every few months to remind myself why I'm vegan, because it is so worth it. I feel so much healthier and happier. That calf's face as it's brain was impaled will be in my mind forever.

[@lunarblessing]

foxy grandpa We know your pain. Thank you for doing the right thing even when very few are.

[@stephen5358]

foxy grandpa But you probably are.. You use electricity? You use soap? Lol

[@Megsducks]

***** there are plenty of cruelty free soaps. IDK exactly what you mean by electricity, but you can't be perfect. You can just do the best you can do. By cutting out meat, milk, and eggs you're already cutting out about 99% of cruelty in your life.

[@stephen5358]

foxy grandpa Fair enough

[@jonathantrender8835]

foxy grandpa It would seem you didn't learn anything from the comment I wrote. I'll just repeat it then: "Your frail attempts at strawmanning your opposition is impressing no one but you and vegan extremists like you.". Eating meat IS a personal choice, and however much you're trying to avoid dealing with this argument so as to not have to actually convince people to follow your ideals, it's not gonna happen. "Therefore, while it might be legal and customary to needlessly kill and eat animals, it is not ethical." Right, so why are you trying to push your ideals onto others? "it is logically inconsistent to claim that it is wrong to hurt animals like cats and dogs and also to claim that eating animals like pigs and chickens is a matter of choice" This is absurd. There is no difference between having a pet as a dog and a pig as food, as having a pig as a pet and a dog as food. It's all TASTE. I also love how vegans consider themselves to be so intellectual. "Fallacies"? They're the bunch that is using them the most.

[@kirsten_sovereignbeing]

I love this, this is amazing. Been vegan since May 2016 and it was the best decision I have ever made.

[@saraelkassabany3735]

Kirsten that's around the time I went vegan as well!!! It's the best decision I ever made

[@Tiomofee]

Melanie, I have spread the word. Awareness will grow. Your speech was powerful and totally convincing. Thank you for the love.

[@claraalterio4580]

It's been almost 3 years and 6 months since I saw this and instantly became vegetarian, and everytime I come back here to remind me why I chose this path, I always end up crying. Thank you Melanie Joy for raising awareness and making us realize we ALL have a choice in this matter.

[@Gfpasta]

Please go vegan!

[@TheAndyVegan]

So glad I'm vegan.This speech is beautiful. Shared! TED should get Colleen Patrick-Goudreau to do her speech on etymology.

[@mich3lz]

Decided to stop eating meat since I watched this yesterday. The thought of chewing on a once living animal, swallowing it and having it inside your body disgust me. Amazing woman, amazing presentation.

[@MagisterialVoyager]

I joined vegan movement last year. It was one of the best choices I've ever made in my life. To find Melanie Joy, who actually did research on this, is such a blessing. Brilliant talk! Thank you, Melanie Joy and TEDx Talks!

[@haleyskye2791]

This video brought me to tears, I have been a vegetarian for a while, and I can't imagine now eating meat because it is so cruel, and now I am thinking of going vegan

[@laurajespersen7373]

+_haley_skye_ That's great! If it helps, maybe you can try to eat vegan a few days a week to start out with :)

[@nourishheallove]

Don't think... Definitely go vegan. Have a look at videos on dairy and eggs and then go for it. 👍

[@sonial.554]

Wooah , so powerful message here! I just cried all long ! I will be definitely vegan from now!!

[@TheAltruismActivist]

That's awesome! Check out my channel for recipes, ideas, and information :)

[@leonardovale9458]

You go :D

[@eddiepedroza40]

Watch earthling 👍. Go vegan

[@ashkanghanbarzade3935]

YAY! :) Welcome to a more peaceful loving world.

[@ashkanghanbarzade3935]

Sonia is taking an impactful action for innocent and voiceless beings...this should be celebrated :) Not by speaking of suicide, but by talking about love, peace and embracing all the species that experience suffering :)

[@lanecrit]

3.5 year vegan now and keep going because of this wonderful talk. Thank you for enlightening me, Dr. Joy!

[@buddhaneosiddhananda8499]

Good for you..! I've been a vegan for a year now... not going back...!!

[@TheAndyVegan]

I think I cried. Her speech left me speechless

[@boozm]

Such an important video. Two decades of research and progressive thought on this subject condensed into 18 minutes. Thank you Melanie, you are an inspiration for a better future.

[@em1631]

SHE DOES NOT LOOK 48. Damnnnnn. I have been vegan for a while and I sure hope I age as well as her :)

[@soniao7586]

Amazing video...I have been thinking about going Vegan for a while...I was a vegetarian for years but feel into the trap of my parents telling me "You need to eat meat for iron" I literally cried through this video from guilt and shame...also, my two cats whom I love were lying at the end of my bed and I though how can anyone consider making an animal suffer when they are so beautiful and innocent...my cats purring and making those closed eyed "I love you" look (cat owners will know what I'm talking about =^•^=) made me decide that I can never have a hand in making an animal suffer again....thank you dearly for speaking so logically and elegantly about a difficult topic..I have weighted up all evidence and have decided that being humane as a human is the best choice for me...that does not involve harming others that share and help our planet😻😻😻

[@maylightbewithyou]

+Sonia O Awesome Sonia! Let me know if you'd like any tips or suggestions. A couple great documentaries to watch are Cowspiracy or Forks Over Knives

[@redimitrakistorm]

+Sonia O but what do your cats eat though, tofu?

[@jessikascarlettweber6122]

I had problems with too little iron, when I was eating animals - all gone now! So don't worry about that ever

[@Genusssucht]

+redmitrakistorm Oh for pete's sake, is that the best you can do to justify your own carnism? Cats are carnivorous, humans are NOT. For your information, an omnivirous diet means that omnivore sentients can eat meat if only needed, and if you have access to the Internet, you are surrounded by plant food, and nothing can justify your meat consumption. Stop shifting the debate and the blame on other sentients, and look at yourself in the mirror if you dare!

[@PB-ly2uy]

I just want to leave a reminder that no one can force themselves to be ready for such a paradigm / lifestyle change. Most of us vegans began as meat eaters who at some point felt compelled to become vegan. But the point is that we felt compelled and so it was an easy choice AT THAT POINT IN TIME. None of us would have enjoyed being judged before then, and we have no right to judge others. As Melanie Joy herself says: we can only plant seeds that hopefully inspire others. We can not force people to change. It is also important to remember that there are some people who literally could not survive without animal products, such as those on hemodialysis for example. I also know some adults who have so many food intolerances, who can not stomach tofu or any legumes, and many other things, for whom living healthily as a vegan would be very challenging. Let us first and foremost be kind and compassionate, to humans as well as other animals :) Cheers to all.

[@Valosken]

Good call. In addition, being mean is gonna convince much fewer people, and augment the stigma against non-carnists.

[@rhymeswithreadthescroll6728]

Well said (again) P B

[@spieltmit]

Fully agree. I'm vegetarian so not yet vegan. Visiting vegan forums often result in being judged and hated. There are so many hardcore vegan people who behave Nazi-like.

[@Spartzi]

spieltmit If you're looking for a friendly community of vegans, check out the vegan sub on reddit. Have only seen nice and supportive people on that page, might be of some use if you're looking to make the change :)

[@spieltmit]

Spartzi Thanks!

[@zw7719]

2019 and this never gets old

[@lynns7262]

2022, and it’s never gets old.

[@Catchcreative]

Wow wow wow! I am in awe! Veganism is POWERFUL! Thank you! Beyond Carnism is brilliance! This 20 minute talk is sure to have a major impact on so many lives!!!!

[@sarahbelgo5429]

I'm sobbing and crying soo much now I just couldn't fully watch the video that was shown...I'm traumatized...but this opened my eyes soo much! I'm never going to eat a piece of meat or dairy ever again! This is brutal and disrespectful to animals! I love my rabbits they are my everything and if I think about it now..every animal is different and has different personalities (I see it with my pets they are all different) and they should be treated with caution and love because they deserve it..every animal deserves to live! Thank you for opening my eyes! I'll share this with everyone because THIS IS IMPORTANT! No animal deserves to be treated the way they are treated! They have feelings and they hurt and it makes me so angry to see what happens to those little sweet innocent animals! I don't even know how anyone could ever do such thing..these people can't have a heart! And I feel really bad about myself because I basically 'supported' such thing because I was buying meat and dairy...like I said...never ever gonna do that again!

[@katielauren922]

You are my hero, Melanie. I love you. Thank you!

[@SusanAmberBruce]

I just had some cereal with soya milk and never again am I buying cows milk

[@papparocket]

+Susan Bruce Way to go. The first step is almost always the hardest. It gets easier from here on.

[@SusanAmberBruce]

papparocket thanks for your encouragement

[@thisplaceisheaven]

I hate soy milk too!!! try almond/ coconut :)) honestly

[@ASMRyouVEGANyet]

awesome! dont ruin your cereal with puss secretions!

[@SusanAmberBruce]

sleepingsunrise Will Co, over and out.

[@countlessmelanin8650]

I was a meat eater...until I saw this video...now my perspective has changed so much. I feel so bad.for eating animals 😔

[@Shooter21Des]

Watch EssenaOneill on youtube! She's a vegan and she's awesome!

[@saysay003]

+Shooter21Des Gary Yourofsky is amazing. I was vegetarian and he made me Vegan. I recommend watching one of his videos. I love EssenaOneill :)

[@Shooter21Des]

SaylorK I watched his video last year and after that I literally stopped eating meat. He's amazing!

[@saysay003]

Shooter21Des I can't ever imagine myself eating any animal products anymore because of him.

[@Shooter21Des]

SaylorK Yes exactly!

[@NoEggCraig]

My new favorite Tedx Talk

[@Nicole-mm2fu]

I've been vegetarian for 6 months now and I'm loving it. Planning on going vegan in the future :)

[@kermer_]

I said the same thing around the same time... I wonder if you made the change yet?

[@curlyprivat22]

Hello Nicole from 5 years ago, welcome through the future! Hope you are ok :)

[@xnellyxs1]

One of the best speeches I`ve seen on this subject.

[@salty793]

Four years ago I was beginning my recovery from treatment for chronic, late-stage Lyme disease. I had been vegetarian for 23 years, thought I was doing the absolute best I could for the animals, and was facing a new life after being misdiagnosed for 21 years. Everything I thought I knew was wrong. There is no valid counter-argument to veganism. The study of Logic is clear on that, and even more astute when when we incorporate the study and discipline of Ethics. Dr. Melanie Joy’s Ted Talk on Carnism exposes our flawed thinking that has been influenced by decades of bad information, laziness, and the tragic logical fallacies: Appeal to Tradition, Appeal to Nature, Appeal to Majority, Appeal to Hypocrisy, Nirvana Fallacy, Anecdotal Fallacy, False Dilemma, Relative Privation, Appeal to Emotion/Fear. Become vegan and end your hypocrisy.

[@stacib1199]

well put. it opened my eyes more than ever.

[@JolandaAdelaar]

U are a hero Melanie! The most important Ted Talk of this time!

[@sunnybunnysky]

I am so glad we have someone so educated, intelligent, and compassionate on our vegan team!

[@1ncandescence]

thats it.. im going vegan !!

[@mandykohler7171]

Sudipta Das Sorry if this is really creepy but I just checked your feed and it makes me so happy that you seem to take this very seriously, and actually watch other videos on veganism. You rock! :D

[@1ncandescence]

Mandy Köhler haha... it wouldnt not be creepy if u didnt tell me about it.. anyways.. ya im pretty serious about it.. I actually went vegan about a week ago. this is the most important decision i've ever made in my life. now im trying to convince my parents and my sisters to be vegan aswell. they r not quite convinced yet. im optimistic that they will go vegan for greater benefit ! :-)

[@teamcrumb]

Sudipta Das eaten any cheese yet?

[@bluetrilobite]

Sudipta Das "now im trying to convince my parents and my sisters to be vegan aswell" How do you know if someone is a vegan? No worries, they will fucking tell you. And what if they don't become vegans? Will you ruin all of their family dinners and get together by reletlessly pointing out the horrors of their ways?

[@1ncandescence]

***** I am not that weak to succumb to any temptation. I am vegan for life. No going back to that cruel, inhumane, barbaric and atrocious lifestyle.

[@CrookedSpunk]

Just decided to convert to veganism. What a lovely woman and an amazing study!

[@CrookedSpunk]

+Emy N. Yes!!! Best decision I've ever made, never going back!:) even made a KZbin channel😂 veggiebabes if you want to give me tips and ideas!

[@idontlikegoats]

+Alba Dogani Be proud of yourself! You deserve a cookie (vegan one, of course ;P )

[@ducaticanine]

are you still a vegan?

[@CurtisV0llmar]

@@exshenanigan2333 Studies show 100% of carnists lack empathy, compassion, and the ability to discern right from wrong.

[@CurtisV0llmar]

@@exshenanigan2333 No study needed. This is just a simple fact. Carnism = lack of empathy, compassion, or respect for sentient beings. The word vegan should not even exist and will not in the future. We don't use the word abolitionist anymore. We dont use the word suffragette anymore. Youre currently on the wrong side of history. It may be time to self reflect instead. Cognitive dissonance sucks.

[@bellacash2848]

i was blind but now i can see, and for that i will forever be greatful.

[@allisonrs]

Thank you, Melanie, for your thoughtful, inspiring, heartening, and downright logical exposition of Awareness. As you point out, social sanction definitely does not = ethics.

[@veganmentor]

OMG! This is your best yet Melanie!! I am thrilled at this simple but profound presentation and it is going to change the world. I will spread your talk to all I can and thank you for your unbelievable dedication to education. I love that you have people also bear witness to the truth of the animal holocaust. People often tell me they know it already and do not want to see it. I tell them, you MUST bear witness to all the inhumane parts of animal agriculture so you can speak and report the details of exactly what humans are doing right now all over the world. Your inner and outer beauty shine right through and your passion for compassion is unbeatable. Thank you FRITZ. I love Fritz so much for making YOU into who you are and I will spread Carnism and your work every single day forever. You are simply amazing and I hope this gets translated into every language, not just English and Deutsch!. Ich liebe dich!!! Your biggest fan on this planet, Linda

[@ethicalwarrior2536]

Philip Wollen gave a talk to introduce Melanie Joy when she visited Melbourne - and described her as a powerful and valued ally in "the battle that decency cannot afford to lose". He says what he means, and means what he says.

[@archi_pepper]

Her voice is amazing! As well as her speech.

[@Angelicmey]

why haven't I seen this before! I'm turning vegan now!!!

[@receitasemgluten]

Thank you Melanie for your work. I'd love to be able to add subtitles in Portuguese and help spread the word in Brazil, the leading exporter of meat for several years now. Let me know how best to do it.

[@zsofiathompson7501]

This speach gave me goosebumps! I did ask the question Why? When I was a kid and everyone looked at me like I'm a weirdo that how can I even ask this question? So I went silent.. Then I believed we need it.. But I started to be more aware and finally last Yr I discovered veganury that really showed me that I HAVE A COICE!!! we all have. Thank you for this brilliant lecture 💚

[@hechss]

I also recall the exact moment when, at a bar, I asked why we wouldn't just eat plants. My parents told me that plants are alive too and buried my sense of blame at once. I remember how the murder was automatically justified in my mind.

[@laurentfaurite9199]

@@hechss It's not a murder!

[@nicinathalie8273]

This is amazing because it balances a psychological and scientific outlook on the violence of consuming animals. I'm glad I will be able to argue veganism more intelligently now!

[@SP-cx8hm]

Vegan for three weeks now 💪

[@SebastianBalders]

keep doing it! I was like you counting the weeks and now I'm vegan for 2 years!!

[@whskytngo]

Stick to your videogames, kid. This is discussion for grown ups.

[@whskytngo]

Made my point.

[@daedhalusp.t.2746]

Great! Keep it up :) Are you still vegan, 8 months later?

[@obilim2155]

If you've kept it up you alone have reduced the demand for 594 animals, not to mention saving gallons of water, good job

[@alvarolopezdemiguel8980]

Thank you Dr. Melanie Joy. Thank you so much.

[@esmeraldaherrera6608]

“Our pain is a mirror from which we can see reflected our humanity” 🙌 I’m so grateful for Dr. Melanie Joy’s work.

[@elizabethtsang78]

Best speech I've heard in years

[@rebeccamatthias4914]

This video is what has made me go vegan 🙏🏽 Thank you!

[@AnnieBe65]

Thank you for your honesty, compassion, and courage.

[@JLaw-lw8rg]

Melanie Joy, you are my hero. Thank you for bringing to words and actions what many of us vegans have felt all along but could not express.

[@bethanyhunt2704]

Melanie Joy is a WONDERFUL woman!!

[@mishaa9617]

This made me cry so much. Thank you

[@MinaBegg]

She's turning me vegan. Shes so smart. And her research and that video made Me cry. Its shocking.

[@chiharu53tamomenyan]

この動画を観て肉食をやめるようになってもうすぐ2年です。きっかけを与えて頂きありがとうございました。感謝しています🙏✨

[@secular555]

Goddamnit! You're turning me vegan! This is gonna be tough.

[@lamppole7896]

Why do you take the Lords name in vain to make your point? So not necessary bro.

[@santubong2011]

Jennifer OConnor Theism is also another dominant ideology which needs to be discarded.

[@lamppole7896]

Santuclause, when you can prove where you came from because you are the beginning and the end.....then preach to me little boy.

[@hillarycheah7620]

Good on you Yabeen Sees ! :)

[@RobewhO]

Jennifer OConnor Don't respond to someone and condescendingly call them "little boy". If you are worried about him taking the Lord's name in vain, you must be a Christian, then, right? It's not very Christian-like for one to be so arrogant. Most of you happen to think you are above others, especially those who do not believe, which in itself is very contradicting because you should be tolerant towards others, not raising yourself above them because of your beliefs. And Santubong2011 was more than correct in what he said.

[@brunaferreiraduarte8569]

I just cried watching this. I am totally vegan now.

[@sapphiregreenbud2439]

Brava, Melanie Joy! This video was a game-changer for me. WELL DONE.

[@SusanAmberBruce]

I was a meat eater until I had a physic breakdown after walking over a river of blood coming from a butchers shop, the smell made me gag and I felt really shaky, I went home in great distress and knew I had to look at my own choices and behaviour, that was 28 years ago and I have never regretted the decision in becoming vegetarian. Yeah and a point worth thinking about is that what is normal necessary and natural as far as eating farmed animals; is that it is not necessary or natural because we ourselves have found better ways to optimise food production and this is not the mass production of farmed animals.

[@mangosteen1564]

Are you vegan now?

[@SusanAmberBruce]

+Mango Steen no I still eat tuna fish 2 or 3 times in a month and still enjoy milk in breakfast tea I have periods of veganism as an effort to make choice against carnism , I still struggle with opting out completely. yeah that's the truth, I am hoping to get deeper into this and heal myself with help from Jesus.

[@mangosteen1564]

Oh so your not a vegetarian then. Do you know fish also feel pain and want to live? :( And milk is a horribly cruel food too, please look into it. Watch Gary yourofskys 'the best speech you'll ever hear' right here on youtube. :) xx

[@SusanAmberBruce]

+Mango Steen I totally agree with you, I could have done better, in England being vegetarian is a struggle even today many stores and eat out place's have a very limited or no options for Vegetarian's. however since watching Melanie Joy on Utube carnism video, I am changing my diet. I can live without fish and milk, they are my last fig leaves diet wise.

[@SusanAmberBruce]

+Mango Steen yes today I celebrate my birthday and being totally vegetarian. what is vegan ?

[@nettle8605]

I liked how she compared photos of human and non-human animal exploitation and injustice. Very thought provoking indeed.

[@HolyBurntTrephines]

Amazing presentation! I have so much respect for her! I hope this video does change peoples views of eating meat and using animal products. Maybe one day the world will be free of the "I LOVE BACON" kind of people -_-'

[@jorn1577]

I LOVE ANIMALS. Not to eat them though i only want to cuddle them

[@HolyBurntTrephines]

Jo Ottenz Haha you are guilty of Selective Cuddle-ism ;D

[@jorn1577]

HolyBurntTrephines Hahah, selective cuddle-ism xD I guess that's true. Sorry to all carnivores (except cat's, cat's can be cuddled safely..sometimes), spiky, electrifying, poisonous and territorial species. :P

[@jorn1577]

Jo Ottenz Edit, cats are omnivores. I know a cat that loves beans.

[@user-ix7jr3oz5i]

When they say 'if only bacon grew on trees,' tell em bout coconut bacon.

[@StreamingStronghold]

wauw that really changed my world view !

[@FrankSpade]

This speaker and her message is a gift to the world. Never heard such an intelligent, convincing talk before.

[@susanofthemtn13]

thank you for your wisdom and ability to communicate it.

[@CaroRgbg]

***** unfortunately I can't answer your question directly but as the question "Why no milk/milk products?" comes up quite often, I would like to say something about this: A cow only gives milk, if she has a calf. As these calves would normally drink the milk that the farmer wants to sell, the calf is taken away from its mother. These calves end up as veal. So when you buy milk products, you directly contribute to a business modell, that is only financially worthwhile by slaughtering newborns. please consider this before buying milk, cheese, yoghurt etc.

[@rhymeswithreadthescroll6728]

CaroRgbg Only a few of the bull calves are dedicated to veal. They want to keep the female calves to replace the mother cows someday. These day's, farmers use sex-selected semen to produce a completely female crop and, therefore, don't have to kill any calves. Please do your homework before embarrassing yourself on a public forum.

[@carolinkobelt5457]

so the tons of veal meat that are sold every year are pure coincidence? Just because they found a way to kill fewer male calves is not an argument to buy milk products. Milk is a direct product of breeding more and more living, breathing and suffering animals. We are the only species that drinks milk from another species. We are the only species that drinks milk even as adults. More and more scientific and medical researchers come to the conclusion that our enormous milk consumption is highly unhealthy. There are tons of arguments against the consumption of milk. Don't embarrass yourself by assuming that four sentences on a public forum are enough to weaken the arguments for an ethical and healthy vegan diet.

[@24wallachian]

Jeremy Mercer But there still remains the fact that those female calves - later female cows - are turned into machines, which means their individual needs are usually not met, their babies are stolen away from them and they are slaughtered at the age of four to six (despite the fact that their natural life span is 20 to 24 years). So even if you're right and it is the case that farmers found a way to produce an entirely female crop (btw I 'love' how you use the word crop to refer to intelligent living beings), there is still tons of suffering. It's still an exploitation on a massive scale.

[@rhymeswithreadthescroll6728]

Moravian Wallachia Carolin Kobelt Heh, you guys are jumping to conclusions (like most people on this thread). I'm not surprised. I'm not offended. Anger makes people do silly things. But let's step back and look at the facts. I pointed out some errors in Caro's post. Then you hammered me with many reasons why the meat and dairy industry are bad, unhealthy, and that my arguments are weak. But I never stated that I support the meat/dairy industry. I never said meat or dairy are healthy. I never said they were good in any way. So, for you to respond with arguments of why meat and dairy are bad is illogical. It's incorrect. It does not compute. You jumped to conclusions and you were wrong. Now here's the real knee-slapper. I'm vegan. But I don't call myself a vegan publicly because then I immediately get categorized into the same group that you guys are in, the "mindless, ignorant, emotionally driven, unreasonable, loves-to-drink-coolaid" group. Eating plants is my lifestyle, not my religion. PS - Moravian, if you're not familiar with sex-selected semen or "calf crops" then how much experience in the industry do you really have?? Have you learned any of what you're preaching from experience? Or was it all from the internet? I spent 4 years on a beef and turkey farm in the Midwest during college. I also worked on swine, dairy (cattle and goat), elk, rabbit, and sheep farms. I've personally witness the slaughtering of animals in 3 different facilities. I've been around. I've seen it face-to-face. Yet, I'm still able to approach people without anger, without jumping to conclusions, and give my arguments logically and professionally. When you're anger becomes apparent, people lose respect for you, and you make the rest of us vegans look bad.

[@SandraBegyHall]

Jeremy Mercer to purposely rape a feeling, emotional female and then steal their young away is morraly and ethically wrong. period.

[@zubar8827]

This video has already 7 years and it is still sooo valid & necessary to share. It’s brillant speech with crutial knowledge I appreciate a lot. I wish this awarness to grow quickly 🌱

[@lynns7262]

7 years old and I’m just seeing it. Just recently went vegan because of her and Earthling Ed. I will be sharing this video.

[@BicisSolidarias]

Veganism is a liberation movement thanks to all of you!

[@inspiringpromotions]

Melanie Joy is a brilliant and dedicated voice for consciousness. Great Tedx Talk!

[@EnlightenedCosmos]

I love this! When I was a child I never wanted to eat meat and was force fed. I would cry at the dinner table and my parents would force my mouth open and shove the food in my mouth. When I left home for college I became vegetarian. I have used the dog example to people since I became vegetarian (and now vegan) many years ago. Thank you for using science to explain the experience.

[@jitidias3592]

This is a brilliant talk. I watched it already at least 10 times and know some parts by heart already. It was a true honour for me to meet Melanie in real life this year. She's incredible at what she's doing.

[@zacht8083]

What a great TED talk... I really hope this message reaches a lot more people

[@annikob]

*Bevor jetzt jemand mit: ''Ich bin nur wegen Ema hier'' ankommt.* Das ist ein Video, in dem es um ein ernstes und vor allem wichtiges Thema geht. Dabei sollte die Kommentarfunktion auch, so weit es geht, für Beiträge zu diesem Thema genutzt werden. Danke.

[@annesch6706]

Also ich bin duch ema auf das video gekommen aber du anscheinend ja auch also ist das ja nichts schlimmes Abee das video das ist echt schlimm

[@annikob]

itsJUSTme Anne Das ist ja auch nicht schlimm, aber deswegen muss man es ja nicht 50x in den Kommentaren lesen. Ich wollte es nur schonmal schreiben, bevor die ersten kommen und die ''Kommentarbox'' mit belanglosen Sachen zuspamen.

[@gertrudanuschka2225]

Ne Frage, das schlimme Video, sind das aufnahmen von waren die mit dem bio Zeichen gekennzeichnet sind? Oder was meinen die mit bio?

[@annesch6706]

Gertrud Anuschka also da werden einfach methoden gezeigt wie die tiere umgebracht werden ; ( Was die aber jz genau mit bio meinen kann ich dir leider nicht sagen

[@annikob]

Gertrud Anuschka Der schlimme Teil ist der, wo die Frau sagt, dass sie nun ein paar Videos zeigen werden. Ca. ab Minute 10.

[@connielins4013]

Thank you for this brilliant speech, Melanie! I do hope more people will watch and listen.

[@rw1310]

this was a life changing TED TALK

[@JanicaBoudreau]

This was so beautifuly explained. I really loved the quote ''As long as there are slaughterhouses, there will be battlefields'' - Leo Tolstoy

[@armandoes]

I wish someone talked to me like that when I was a child. Never again :(

[@ninajovi]

Been vegetarian 5 years and looking to hit vegan life now, I'm proud of Melanie

[@amandaneumann5452]

I was a vegetarian for 5 years and now a vegan for 2 and this is one of the best videos I have ever seen. I dream of the tipping point day when Veganism stops being a word and just becomes the norm. I hope it’s in my lifetime.

[@beatzexplorer]

The best TEDx Talks speech for sure!

[@medleyann8882]

this is so important. thank you!

[@earthkeepr7591]

This summarizes so many feelings i have had towards Carnism. Its wrong and now I understand better and how to articluate it to others. Great work Dr. Joy!

[@alanaespinosa5090]

I love the way she presented this with logic and not just shoving information down peoples throats, this will hopefully spread a lot of awareness.

[@veganhearttoheart2454]

Such a powerful speech, thank you for uploading it. Simply amazing.

[@here_is_nastja6996]

This presentation is amazing! She opened my eyes and give me the conviction for a life without meat

[@genericeric0102]

The best video I've seen that explains the behavior of almost all human beings. I'm begging everyone to watch.

[@pawelzawislak1671]

One of the best TEDx talks ever. Thank you Melanie Joy!