A heated discussion erupts between TIM BARFORD, VegFestUK and the Vegan Society in the UK, and GARY FRANCIONE regarding the Vegan Society’s re-branding and new marketing approach, recent comments made by FIONA OAKES on the BBC, and comments made by TIM about veganism and health + BOB talks about the latest ebola outbreak.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
TB is clearly out of his league. He comes across as ill-informed, ill-prepared, hugely misguided, and incapable of having an intelligent and respectful conversation. He makes me ashamed of a certain sector of the UK’s vegans (including the current manifestation of the UK Vegan Society). TB should not be any kind of public ambassador for veganism. He clearly likes the sound of his own voice and allows words to come out of his mouth before he’s put any real thought to what he’s saying, which is hugely dangerous to our cause (much like FO’s comments). I don’t doubt that he’s passionate about veganism but he’s not fit to have a high-profile position in its promotion.
Gary is right. If people don’t understand the fundamentals, how can they stop using animals? If you give an inch, a human takes a mile. Basic psychology is that you set high standards to get HIGH RESULTS. Telling people that veganism, or not making slaves of other creatures, isn’t for everyone, is absolutely asinine.
Tim is just a corporate guy, putting a corporate spin on veganism. Shameful and disgusting.
Like listening to a head-on train crash in slow motion regarding Tim Barford… wow.
Animals should not die for US….or ever be torched EVER .!!!
While I agree that the comment that lady made on the BBC is indeed a bit strange, I’m living proof that their new approach to “recruiting” new vegans does indeed work. Here in Austria and Germany Attila Hildmann is on the front of this movement of: I’m strict concerning veganism myself, but you don’t need to be, just try this fun recipes in my appealing looking cookbook. Everything else like allowing yourself to open your eyes to what we are doing to the animals just follows naturally. You need to pick the people up at the point at which they are right now. If you confront them with the whole truth at once you’re just going to push them away. Something I also noticed that you Bob are doing at the beginning of your podcast. If I weren’t vegan I probably would have turned your program off after a few minutes.
I’m not a vegan. I am just starting out learning about being vegan and having a plant strong diet. I could really understand both guests pov but I have to say listening to that guy interrupting the other guy over and over just because he couldn’t stand the other guys pov was was a real turn off for me. Somehow his mother failed in teaching him to respect people of differing viewpoints and beliefs even when you are passionate about your own. I taught mine that everyone gets a turn with the “speaking stick” LOL
We should always present the positive truth about veganism which is that it is a healthy, compassionate lifestyle that is certainly “for everyone”. Tim Barford more or less conceded that he was mistaken in what he said previously so don’t crucify the guy. He’s achieved so much in promoting veganism and, in challenging him, one should do so respectfully with that in mind. The same with Fiona Oakes – she’s a stunning ambassador who has run through deserts and ice fields to showcase vegan power. We all say things sometimes that we may later prefer to change and I suspect that’s the case here. Gary Francione makes lots of good points but if he could tone down the confrontational and argumentative attitude, he would be ten times more effective in changing hearts and minds.
Its incredible where your thoughts take you when you don’t understand the point being made. FO was on the BBC to talk about sport – NOT veganism. The fact that she broke world records in the marathon was why she was on there & she is being honest when she says that veganism is not for all. Look around you & open your eyes – 1% are vegan? – 2% if you are lucky – Face it – most people just don’t give a toss about animal cruelty or the environment – or even themselves – listen “THEY DON’T CARE” – they will never go vegan. FO is reaching a mainstream audience – an audience who will switch off to being confronted with veganism as Sonja says above, but ‘some’ listening will be interested and that vegan seed or thought might just get planted so that in time the 1-2% becomes 3-5%. GFL approach works with “some” people, but not many (see 1% above) – there are other approaches, but those exploring them do not pillory those adopting their own approaches – it is a pity this doesn’t seem to work the other way – if only those determined to rip into fellow vegans spent their time & effort ripping into the CEO of McDonalds…
PS Sonia – I would urge you to read FO’s statement in the matter as what she actually said makes a whole lot of sense 🙂
It might be helpful to have some “rules of engagement” when the guests are expected to have such strong opinions. That’s up to you, Bob, to be a good moderator. Otherwise, you end up with “talkover” radio. Then, step back and let them at it…..ONE AT A TIME !!! Otherwise, a great show.
Bob… you can mute microphones and set automatic time limits… would make for a much better debate