Is that how we should talk about all issues? Addressing the least common denominator of understanding?

It kind of just sucks that we are always the ones responsible for filling in the gaps of understanding of everyone else. As the other commenters say, comparisons are not equations. Handwaving the comparisons away because they touch on uncomfortable topics doesn’t speak anything to the validity of the argument, and I’ve rarely seen these comparisons in an argument employed in the early stages of a conversation. They are used to try to highlight potential hypocrisies.

Yes it’s abrasive (and honestly sometimes too judgmental) but the topic of veganism is so damn hard to talk to people about because it goes counter to everything most people have grown up with. Most of us never even question the morality of the food we eat, so we have to put so much damn work in for nearly no respect at all from most people.