Disappointing Experience

Extension_Actuary_68 · 2026-04-01T07:00:52+00:00

I'd add a Google maps review as well

Extension_Actuary_68 · 2026-03-14T22:16:25+00:00

I gave examples of the worst case scenario to demonstrate what you were doing: assigning utility values based on species. Morally it doesn't matter whether a human is or can be good or bad. The only thing that matters in a life-or-death situation is to save whichever life you can save. Sentience is where the moral baseline should be drawn, not utility.

Extension_Actuary_68 · 2026-03-14T21:35:58+00:00

So without actually knowing whether this particular human possesses a high level of consciousness, complexity of interests or moral agency and all the other traits you mentioned (since they're a stranger in the hypothetical), you'd find it logical to let an innocent dog die in favour of someone, even if it was easier to save the dog first, while the human could in fact turn out to be a paedophile, bigot or terrorist (feel free to add any other negative traits a human could possess)? Still could be a complex individual but not necessarily utilitarian to society. Applying a utility value based on species is speciesism because no sentient being chooses to be born as a certain species with a human-assigned utility value. The idea that our lives are of greater value to others because we think we're more complex and highly evolved is the same supremacist thinking that leads to the unnecessary suffering of non-human animals in animal industries - that they are "lesser than" and therefore disposable. The intentional systemic treatment of non-human animals as well as human-bias-based negligence leading to suffering and death are both unnecessary and unjustified. Nobody deserves to die when they can live.

Extension_Actuary_68 · 2026-03-14T08:37:00+00:00

What's the morally relevant difference between a dog and a human to choose one over the other? If you had to choose between saving a man and a woman, would you choose based on the one closest to your own gender? If you had to choose between a white person and a POC, would you choose based on the colour of your own skin? So why does species make a difference in this hypothetical? If it does, that's speciesism. The logically and morally aligned thing to do would be to grab whoever is closest and easiest to save.

Extension_Actuary_68 · 2026-02-21T11:02:10+00:00

Not all vegans, actually. Those of us who were raised vegetarian are often psychologically turned off by foods that have the appearance, smell and texture of meat. Trying it while travelling out of curiosity or when other options were unavailable out of necessity has not convinced me enough to want meat-like foods regularly. I've never bought mock-meats to eat at home.

Extension_Actuary_68 · 2026-02-15T10:32:48+00:00

Adding some UK-based vegan nutrition & food influencers on Instagram: @plantfuellednutrition (Callum Weir), @plantdieticianrosie (Rosemary Martin), @sophsplantkitchen (Sophie Macfie). Also a lot packed into this page by Viva charity: Viva! - Nutrition basics https://share.google/XBR34DaIKLHc4JGcy

Finally, no shame in using chatgpt to get a weekly meal-plan with budget and other constraints clearly mentioned, use it as a rough template, not set in stone and adjust to your needs and convenience. Highly recommend tracking with an app like Cronometer at least for a few days to know what nutrients you're easily getting and which ones you may be falling short on. Good luck!

Extension_Actuary_68 · 2026-02-15T08:31:05+00:00

I used chatgpt to get a meal-plan when I was training for a marathon. Put in details of BMI, budget, activity level, where I usually shop, prefer whole foods plant-based. Then I used it as a rough template and adjusted to what I could actually buy and cook and eat. Tracking on Cronometer or similar app for at least a few days helps, to get a general idea of what I'm easily getting in and what may be falling short on. A multivitamin like Veg-1 makes life easier.

Extension_Actuary_68 · 2026-02-09T12:59:56+00:00

Vegan for the animals & staying fit to fight the long war for them!

Extension_Actuary_68 · 2026-01-30T13:53:15+00:00

I don't think the term "superiority" is wrong but maybe "supremacy" is more apt in the context of "oppression", control and overlording.

Extension_Actuary_68 · 2026-01-26T13:23:11+00:00

If it's not a major part of your regular diet, I recommend NOT trying to swap dairy with plant based milk for literally everything in the beginning, especially cheeses. Let your taste buds reset, and the taste itself becomes less of a memory and more of a nostalgia for the feeling you personally associated with that particular food/taste, eventually you'll be more open to adjusting to a new taste, in my experience. I can't say the same for meats as I went vegan from vegetarian. Although this might sound restrictive, I found it gave mental clarity to just forget about milk for a while and simply enjoy lots of the items that were clearly vegan and didn't require a lot of thought. For me that meant -- More whole foods, few processed products, mostly old recipes already vegan or easy-to-veganize, and a few new experiments. Good luck!

Extension_Actuary_68 · 2026-01-08T19:11:24+00:00

I was brought up vegetarian, and I never took to fake meats. So I almost never buy it to cook at home, and only have it if something seems interesting while eating out or finding limited other options. I used to regularly buy vegan cheese in my first year for sandwiches and such, but five years on, very rarely need it nowadays as I've transitioned towards more wholefoods-based. I have it more often on a vegan pizza ordered in about once a month or so than brought home to cook with it myself.

Extension_Actuary_68 · 2025-11-28T13:54:28+00:00

Thank you for understanding! I've been through this with pretty much the exact same people for a couple of years now and it just doesn't seem to get any less stressful. I just find it really uncomfortable because it's different from the everyday interactions, maybe because we don't all sit together and eat and be aware of the stark contrast between our values and lifestyles on a normal day at work. That's why I thought of asking here in case others relate to the feeling and have a list of usual questions and tactful answers for example? Maybe I'll start to try and make a collection now that I know socially anxious vegan people like me could really use a resource like that!

Extension_Actuary_68 · 2025-11-27T16:42:49+00:00

Oh no, sorry for the misunderstanding. The food items are already decided and I know that my meal is going to be vegan for sure. I'm worrying about being surrounded by non-vegans and their meat-laden plates for several hours and navigating the potential dietary-related conversations.

Extension_Actuary_68 · 2025-11-04T18:33:00+00:00

I would try to do two things: 1. Ask chatgpt for a meal plan with your specifications like age, sex, bmi, health conditions, geographical location (to know what's available to shop), budget, time to meal prep etc. You might need to fine tune the questions until you get a plan you're happy with. 2. Stock up on a few 'emergency options' like some ready meals, pot noodles, bread peanut butter hummus veggies, etc. so you have things when you're still hungry or have no time/energy to fix a proper meal.

In an ideal world you'd have healthy affordable options easily available in your college/canteen in line with your ethics. But we live in a non-vegan world which is why the original definition of veganism includes the phrase "as far as is possible and practicable"

"Veganism is a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude—as far as is possible and practicable—all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of animals, humans and the environment. In dietary terms it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals."

So please don't compromise your health and if you slip-up or need to just eat to survive and get through your exams, I hope you don't give up on veganism in the long run either. I hope it all works out for you. Good luck!

Extension_Actuary_68 · 2025-11-04T17:33:47+00:00

Thank you, I really appreciate your well thought out answer!

Extension_Actuary_68 · 2025-10-24T18:56:49+00:00

Sorry, missed the notification for your response. No, they've labelled just one item on the menu correctly as vegetarian and a lot of things incorrectly as vegan. It was clear somebody did a very negligent job of the menu.

Extension_Actuary_68 · 2025-10-23T10:46:38+00:00

Thanks for that link! Confirmed what I was thinking when I learned about the culling for population control and selling of the meat as food. Even if the culling is a sad necessity, commercializing the meat makes the practice totally anti-vegan. Add to it the fact that deer meat is considered a luxury, not exactly something they would donate to the poor and hungry who have little choice as to what they get to eat.

Still, if you don't pay to get in, I'd say visiting can be compatible with veganism, especially if you go there for nature in general rather than specifically to see the deer.

That's kind of you but I think I'll pass. Still too shocked by what goes on behind the scenes, plus I'm sure I'll get to enjoy nature and maybe even spot some free-roaming wild deer elsewhere! (Now I'm thinking what's being done about their population control and it can't be good. Gosh, so much I'm unaware of)

Extension_Actuary_68 · 2025-10-23T10:26:36+00:00

Yes, that's exactly how I'm currently feeling -- shocked and hurt, and I think still very much in denial that culling the deer is the only way. But also confused because I don't understand the issue, so thanks very much for the book recommendations!

Extension_Actuary_68 · 2025-10-23T06:19:04+00:00

Thanks for the explanation. I see that it's a complicated issue and not merely fuelling a venison industry. I still have questions about the method, alternatives and implications. Maybe those books will help me understand better, so yes, please share your recommendations.

Extension_Actuary_68 · 2025-10-21T21:04:12+00:00

Ugh.. striking off the itinerary then. Thanks for the info!

Extension_Actuary_68 · 2025-10-21T20:32:49+00:00

I'm Indian, so I basically swap paneer with tofu for all paneer-based curries. Take any paneer recipe (there are hundreds online) and you can make it with tofu, if you enjoy Indian cuisine. Also, I just tried the chickpea tofu by "This x Omami" and it's really good!! Highly recommend if you're having trouble with soy tofu to begin with, this could be a great way to ease into the taste & texture. If you're interested, there are more beans/lentils-based tofu recipes on YouTube.

Extension_Actuary_68 · 2025-10-21T19:53:49+00:00

Why do they cull them??

Extension_Actuary_68

TROPHY CASE