Anyone else get annoyed about the "conflict diamond" thing?

[MissStepcut]

I just finished a research paper on the environmental impact of diamond mining, and one of the things that's been on my mind is all the drama and smugness that surrounds engagement rings, particularly when people get a colored gemstone to avoid "evil conflict diamonds." All manner of gemstones occur in "conflict regions," and are sold to fuel conflict; it's obviously not limited to diamonds, so what gives? Does anyone else ever get annoyed about this or feel the need to correct misconceptions?

 

[kenny]

Re: Anyone else get annoyed about the "conflict diamond" thi

Yes & No.

I get annoyed but there is little I can do about the misconceptions.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Re: Anyone else get annoyed about the "conflict diamond" thi

yes..

 

[Circe]

Re: Anyone else get annoyed about the "conflict diamond" thi

Jesus, yes. It's become a cause celebre among a certain portion of society (coughhipsterscough), and it's financially convenient for the sector that doesn't want to buy diamonds, so it gets regurgitated in the form of even more watered-down pap, usually accompanied by a little screed on how There Are Plenty of Diamond Anyway, They're Not That Rare, It's All A Conspiracy By the Jewelers.

I see it as an opportunity for outreach, personally. I mean ... I grew up on the outskirts of the business, so the notion of a vast conspiracy of jewelers made me giggle, and usually with the latter group, you can pierce the veil of superiority by pointing out the issues associated with the other gems - from the rubies of Burma to the ecologically problematic crystal mining of South America. (This is also the group, after all, that will tell you they decry blood diamonds in one breath, and then admit that, yeah, their semi-mount is set with diamonds, "but only little ones.") The former is sometimes susceptible to the logic that, yeah, there are blood diamonds: there are also sweatshops, and wars for gas and factory farming, and ... well, you sort of have to pick your battles.

When they're also bicycle-riding, conscientiously objecting, hemp-wearing wearers of, like, wooden wedding rings, I admit defeat. Fine, they're actually better people. I can hack that, I just like a little consistency ....

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Anyone else get annoyed about the "conflict diamond" thi

Nope, don't give a hoot. I live in Nor Cal. If I was going to get upset about every inaccurate 'campaign' I'd be the nuthouse. New flavor of controversy every week, and most of the facts are misquoted by one side or the other-- and that's if your lucky and it's not both that are just making sh*t up and swearing to it.

 

[usnwife]

Re: Anyone else get annoyed about the "conflict diamond" thi

Yes- I am a member of another forum, and I get sick of hearing about how moissy/cz is so much more "ethical" than a diamond. Even though these people are always trying to pass their stones off as diamonds.

I wonder how much water/electricity plus elements(usually require mining) are actually needed to produce cz/moissy? In addition, are the cutters paid a fair and livable wage? Many things to ponder!

 

[Miss Sparkly]

Re: Anyone else get annoyed about the "conflict diamond" thi

Yes- I am a member of another forum, and I get sick of hearing about how moissy/cz is so much more "ethical" than a diamond. Even though these people are always trying to pass their stones off as diamonds.

I wonder how much water/electricity plus elements(usually require mining) are actually needed to produce cz/moissy? In addition, are the cutters paid a fair and livable wage? Many things to ponder!

At least they are not killed for their goods. I'm sure nobody will come into a CZ lab and shoot it up for something worth pennies. CZ/Moissy lab workers also are able to work in a stable environment with heat, air, fresh water and toilets. Moissy/CZ IS much more ethical than a diamond. But, the way I see it is that the issue with blood diamonds is too widespread for me to do anything about. My refusing to purchase a single diamond that I can afford is not going to significantly impact the trade. Thus, I will continue to buy what makes me happy.

 

[SomethingSinful]

Re: Anyone else get annoyed about the "conflict diamond" thi

it is the uneducated smugness that bugs me

 

[movie zombie]

Re: Anyone else get annoyed about the "conflict diamond" thi

no, it does not bother me. the reality is that there are "blood diamonds".....but there are also canadian and australizn diamonds that are a very good alternative. also, i have no illusions that the color stone industry is any better. i wear a nigerian spess e-ring and have no doubt it is "conflicted" at some point before its arrival on my finger.

 

[yssie]

Re: Anyone else get annoyed about the "conflict diamond" thi

YES.


I don't mind outrage - how could I, when there are and recently have been unconscionable things happening in the mining industry, even aspects we consider "safe" and "vetted" - [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/kimberly-caves-zimbabwes-marange-rough-to-hit-the-market.167677/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/kimberly-caves-zimbabwes-marange-rough-to-hit-the-market.167677/[/URL]

I *do* mind completely uneducated outrage - "all diamonds are blood diamonds", "other gemstones are 'safe' " (Edward Bristol of Wild Fish Gems wrote a moving story: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/fair-trade-the-boy-and-the-sapphire.169527/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/fair-trade-the-boy-and-the-sapphire.169527/[/URL]). If you're going to be angry, or smug, or whatever, at least put some small effort into make sure its directed appropriately, for goodness sake!

 

[pregcurious]

Re: Anyone else get annoyed about the "conflict diamond" thi

The concept of "conflict diamonds" doesn't bother me. What bothers me is people being judgmental, interfering, smug about it, or anything for that matter. I have my MIL to act like that--I don't need it from anyone else.

 

[karpouzi]

Re: Anyone else get annoyed about the "conflict diamond" thi

Yes- I am a member of another forum, and I get sick of hearing about how moissy/cz is so much more "ethical" than a diamond. Even though these people are always trying to pass their stones off as diamonds.

Oh my gosh, this!! I have nothing against sims but it's hypocritical to say you're choosing a sim because diamond mining is unethical... and then you tell people your sim is a diamond! People that do this are just perpetuating demand for diamonds and the stigma against sims. If you want to wear a sim, own it!

 

[MissStepcut]

Re: Anyone else get annoyed about the "conflict diamond" thi

no, it does not bother me. the reality is that there are "blood diamonds".....but there are also canadian and australizn diamonds that are a very good alternative. also, i have no illusions that the color stone industry is any better. i wear a nigerian spess e-ring and have no doubt it is "conflicted" at some point before its arrival on my finger.

Just because a stone comes from Africa does not mean it funded conflict!!

 

[Circe]

Re: Anyone else get annoyed about the "conflict diamond" thi

no, it does not bother me. the reality is that there are "blood diamonds".....but there are also canadian and australizn diamonds that are a very good alternative. also, i have no illusions that the color stone industry is any better. i wear a nigerian spess e-ring and have no doubt it is "conflicted" at some point before its arrival on my finger.

Just because a stone comes from Africa does not mean it funded conflict!!

And I feel like this, in particularly, is one of the problems with the facile view of "blood diamonds."

Yes, there is a percentage of stones that contribute to strife, crime, terrorism, and torture, and that is horrifying. Under the Kimberly Process, with its current ... flaws ... they're estimating that percent at, what, 2% of the annual gross? Not to mention, of course, the historical oppression and theft of resources that diamonds represent.

On the other hand, there's the rest of the stones out of Africa ... which are their natural resources, and which represent one of the most valuable natural assets in this developing region. If everybody starts preferring the nice, safe stones from the nice, safe countries, I can't help but feel that it adds insult to injury to injury. Hi, we ruined your natural economy with incredible thoroughness over the course of 500 some-odd years ... and now that we've milked it more or less dry, we're going to back away slowly. Erk.

 

[anne_h]

Re: Anyone else get annoyed about the "conflict diamond" thi

This reminds me of the age-old "wearing fur is bad, but I do wear leather and/or eat meat". lol!!

 

[Black Jade]

Re: Anyone else get annoyed about the "conflict diamond" thi

No, the conflict diamond people do not bother me. As stated above, it usually becomes clear that jealousy is the issue here soon enough. Because there are things you can so if you are seriously concerned.

Plus, they usually restrict themselves to snarky remarks in person and starting arguments on list-servs such as this. That, I can deal with.

The fur police bug me, though. They will often actually attack you, throw paint on your coat, etc. And its so ridiculous. I can actually see that it's reasonable to get concerned about people suffering in Africa (and for the record, I did look around to make as sure as I could that I was not buying a conflict diamond and like to buy diamonds on the second hand market for this reason) but a mink is a little rodent, for goodness' sake. And they farm them like chickens--they are not endangered. And fur is really, really warm, which is useful for those of us who live in colder climates and like to walk around in them (i.e., do not just jump out of the heated car and go five steps into the heated house, in which a case a hoodie does suffice). I am allergic to wool and down and a lot of other things and fur is one of my few choices. And no, manmade stuff is not as warm AT ALL.

I can see being concerned about Artic fox or something like that that is being hunted to extinction but not a mink. Which I don't own yet but I sure am working on it and am tired of hearing foolishness on the subject.

 

[Missy]

Re: Anyone else get annoyed about the "conflict diamond" thi

No, the conflict diamond people do not bother me. As stated above, it usually becomes clear that jealousy is the issue here soon enough. Because there are things you can so if you are seriously concerned.

Plus, they usually restrict themselves to snarky remarks in person and starting arguments on list-servs such as this. That, I can deal with.

The fur police bug me, though. They will often actually attack you, throw paint on your coat, etc. And its so ridiculous. I can actually see that it's reasonable to get concerned about people suffering in Africa (and for the record, I did look around to make as sure as I could that I was not buying a conflict diamond and like to buy diamonds on the second hand market for this reason) but a mink is a little rodent, for goodness' sake. And they farm them like chickens--they are not endangered. And fur is really, really warm, which is useful for those of us who live in colder climates and like to walk around in them (i.e., do not just jump out of the heated car and go five steps into the heated house, in which a case a hoodie does suffice). I am allergic to wool and down and a lot of other things and fur is one of my few choices. And no, manmade stuff is not as warm AT ALL.

I can see being concerned about Artic fox or something like that that is being hunted to extinction but not a mink. Which I don't own yet but I sure am working on it and am tired of hearing foolishness on the subject.

Black Jade, wearing fur is cruel and horrible. Do you know the conditions the animals bred for fur are living under?
The animals are kept in very small cages which causes a lot of emotional and physical stress. They are fed meat by-products considered unfit for human consumption. Water is provided by a nipple system which often freezes in the winter.

Traps are also used to catch animals and kill them for their fur coats. When animals are caught in a trap, it can take days before the trapper removes them. About 1 out of 4 trapped animals escapes by chewing off his or her own leg or paw. The escaped animals will die from blood loss, fever or gangrene, or are killed by a predator.Traps don't only trap animals suitable for fur. Up to 50% of trapped animals are discarded as "trash animals". This includes many domestic cats and dogs.

And the way they kill the animals on the fur farm are just awful. They need to kill them in a way that doesn't damage their fur. They use gassing, neck snapping,decompression chambers, etc. Small animals may be put into boxes and poisoned with the hot engine exhaust from a truck. Larger animals have clamps applied to their mouths and rods inserted into their anuses and are electrocuted.

In any case how someone could think it is OK to kill living breathing beings for their fur is beyond my comprehension. As for your argument that fur is the warmest that is no longer true. Maybe 50 years ago but not today. There are plenty of just as warm man made materials you can wear. And even if there weren't (and there are) it still is not OK.

“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated”.

Mahatma Gandhi

It saddens me beyond belief reading your post.

 

[movie zombie]

Re: Anyone else get annoyed about the "conflict diamond" thi

no, it does not bother me. the reality is that there are "blood diamonds".....but there are also canadian and australizn diamonds that are a very good alternative. also, i have no illusions that the color stone industry is any better. i wear a nigerian spess e-ring and have no doubt it is "conflicted" at some point before its arrival on my finger.

Just because a stone comes from Africa does not mean it funded conflict!!

let me specific: i used the word "conflicted" to mean that color stones are no better or worse in the way they are obtained. that someone may have been cheated or in some other way taken advantage of....there are other things wrong with the "stone" industry other than funding wars.

actually, it is the oil being taken out of nigeria that is a problem http://www.globalissues.org/article/86/nigeria-and-oil
and the latest oil spill there is the last thing that country needed
http://news.yahoo.com/nigeria-coast-braces-biggest-oil-spill-13-years-090144603.html

 

[Imdanny]

Re: Anyone else get annoyed about the "conflict diamond" thi

Do they bother me. Yes.

Did they put some "conflict oil" in their car this morning? Do they have any clue what multinational oil companies or for that matter what multinationals do, I mean as in crimes against the environment and humanity?

Yet it seems to me they've latched onto a simplistic way to think of themselves as "ethical" people, like if I recycle my metal cans, life is good, who cares about the nuclear power plants built on the world's most dangerous fault lines! I love the environment!

Yes, simplistic thinking bothers me.

And, BTW, please don't ask me what I think of people who choose man-made diamonds who want the image of diamonds but somehow think things created in labs must be "ethical" ( ). In the mood I'm in, it wouldn't be pretty.

 

[Imdanny]

Re: Anyone else get annoyed about the "conflict diamond" thi

Yes & No.

I get annoyed but there is little I can do about the misconceptions.

This too. I have never tried to debate anyone who hates diamonds for any reason.

Diamonds come from the earth and are beloved of humankind.

Such has it been. Such will it always be.

Frankly, I think people who don't understand why this is so are too dense for me to waste my time dealing with. I don't even bother.

 

[Imdanny]

Re: Anyone else get annoyed about the "conflict diamond" thi

Jesus, yes. It's become a cause celebre among a certain portion of society (coughhipsterscough), and it's financially convenient for the sector that doesn't want to buy diamonds, so it gets regurgitated in the form of even more watered-down pap, usually accompanied by a little screed on how There Are Plenty of Diamond Anyway, They're Not That Rare, It's All A Conspiracy By the Jewelers.

I see it as an opportunity for outreach, personally. I mean ... I grew up on the outskirts of the business, so the notion of a vast conspiracy of jewelers made me giggle, and usually with the latter group, you can pierce the veil of superiority by pointing out the issues associated with the other gems - from the rubies of Burma to the ecologically problematic crystal mining of South America. (This is also the group, after all, that will tell you they decry blood diamonds in one breath, and then admit that, yeah, their semi-mount is set with diamonds, "but only little ones.") The former is sometimes susceptible to the logic that, yeah, there are blood diamonds: there are also sweatshops, and wars for gas and factory farming, and ... well, you sort of have to pick your battles.

When they're also bicycle-riding, conscientiously objecting, hemp-wearing wearers of, like, wooden wedding rings, I admit defeat. Fine, they're actually better people. I can hack that, I just like a little consistency ....

Hahaha! Wooden wedding rings! Take that you gold loving freaks!

Yeah, I so agree with you. People who pick one thing (and show simplistic thinking about even the one thing they're trying to hold in their mind) while ignoring, like, the bazillion other facts and circumstances that would pretty much obliterate their sanctimonious hypocrisy- yeah, just yeah.

 

[Imdanny]

Re: Anyone else get annoyed about the "conflict diamond" thi

no, it does not bother me. the reality is that there are "blood diamonds".....but there are also canadian and australizn diamonds that are a very good alternative. also, i have no illusions that the color stone industry is any better. i wear a nigerian spess e-ring and have no doubt it is "conflicted" at some point before its arrival on my finger.

Just because a stone comes from Africa does not mean it funded conflict!!

let me specific: i used the word "conflicted" to mean that color stones are no better or worse in the way they are obtained. that someone may have been cheated or in some other way taken advantage of....there are other things wrong with the "stone" industry other than funding wars.

actually, it is the oil being taken out of nigeria that is a problem http://www.globalissues.org/article/86/nigeria-and-oil
and the latest oil spill there is the last thing that country needed
http://news.yahoo.com/nigeria-coast-braces-biggest-oil-spill-13-years-090144603.html

That's what I mean! They've used Nigeria as a dumping ground! I read about this during the Gulf oil leak crisis. Please recall that at the time people were saying the "leak" might not be able to be fixed and that the sea floor could explode releasing enough hydrocarbons to kill life on earth, etc., etc. Who knows what was true and what was false, but you know, ten minutes after the crisis was over, they approved more of the same thing. And this was not our domestic supply! This was a multinational taking oil from our Gulf and selling it on the world market! The lies people will believe are just incredible. But what I read about Nigeria (I'm not reading this link- I just can't emotionally handle it right now) were facts. Terrible, terrible thing. Terrible.

I agree with Yssie, I can take outrage (it's personally better for me to avoid it) but try to use at least two of your brain cells before getting moralistic about an issue. These are very, very complicated issues, and, unfortunately, some of these problems will never be solved.

 

[Circe]

Re: Anyone else get annoyed about the "conflict diamond" thi

This may be the weirdest tangeting comment I've ever made, but ... how the hell has no one thought of "cruelty-free" fur? If we can claim that free-range chickens and such have "good lives" and are somehow mercifully terminated while still being at the height of their juicy deliciousness, somehow, there must be a way to market organic mink.

But, yeah ... as much as I'm an animal-lover, Missy, on a thread about conflict diamonds where, sure, it's a minute percentage of the global net, but, still, human beings are suffering ... doesn't this sort of illustrate the point BJ was making?

I figure at the end of the day, we all pick our battles. I research the hell out of jewelry and the only fur I buy has been dead considerably longer than I've been alive, but even if it is cruelty-free and tastier, I can't make myself buy local/organic/cruelty-free, just because it's too much of a pain in the butt to hunt it down, and, at the end of the day, I've met chickens: they're not smart enough for me to go out of my way. I'll save whatever residual energy I get out of having researched and benched the first two issues and not really caring about the third to pour my resources into the thing I do care about - women's rights issues. Only so many hours in the day, y'know?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Anyone else get annoyed about the "conflict diamond" thi

There is going to be conflict and atrocities in some of those countries whether diamonds are involved or not. It is naive to think otherwise. I do think it is slightly annoying because most with the sims would probably choose diamonds if they could afford them in the size they wanted. As for me, I'd rather have a natural diamond even if it was .25 cts. over a sim.

And I'll agree on the fur issue as well. I am fine with the objections, but I hope you have no leather shoes or purses and eat no meat.

 

[Imdanny]

Re: Anyone else get annoyed about the "conflict diamond" thi

Ok, I'm going to go there. I want a "pimp characater" fur coat in the exact and specific sense that Madonna played a "pimp character" in her Music video (not one of her best but for someone who's made the best, second best, third best, you get the picture, music videos- not one of her worst). It's white and full length.

Would I buy one? Would it be ethical? You know what, I'll never be able to afford one in this lifetime so let's not worry about the ethical ramifications of my eccentric desire to own a white full length fur coat, oktnxbai.

 

[Missy]

Re: Anyone else get annoyed about the "conflict diamond" thi

This may be the weirdest tangeting comment I've ever made, but ... how the hell has no one thought of "cruelty-free" fur? If we can claim that free-range chickens and such have "good lives" and are somehow mercifully terminated while still being at the height of their juicy deliciousness, somehow, there must be a way to market organic mink.

But, yeah ... as much as I'm an animal-lover, Missy, on a thread about conflict diamonds where, sure, it's a minute percentage of the global net, but, still, human beings are suffering ... doesn't this sort of illustrate the point BJ was making?

I figure at the end of the day, we all pick our battles. I research the hell out of jewelry and the only fur I buy has been dead considerably longer than I've been alive, but even if it is cruelty-free and tastier, I can't make myself buy local/organic/cruelty-free, just because it's too much of a pain in the butt to hunt it down, and, at the end of the day, I've met chickens: they're not smart enough for me to go out of my way. I'll save whatever residual energy I get out of having researched and benched the first two issues and not really caring about the third to pour my resources into the thing I do care about - women's rights issues. Only so many hours in the day, y'know?

Circe and DS, I am always the first to acknowledge there are so many hours in a day but when I see animal suffering/torturing going on right in front of me it doesn't take too much energy to be aware and do what I can not to be a part of the problem KWIM?
In my opinion, people who do not care about the murder of precious lives for their own vanity are at best ignorant and at worst horrid people. It is a holocaust of animals going on every day. Millions and millions slaughtered for their fur. They do not matter because they are not as smart as us? Do you really feel this way Circe?

In truth, there is little distinction between wearing fur and wearing leather. Both involve animals being treated inhumanely, dying in a not particularly pleasant way, and then being turned into a product. But that doesn’t mean one's conscious action not to wear fur or to ban the sale of fur products is an empty gesture. It highlights the fact that cruelty is taking place, and for those who are passionate about animal rights, it is a small step in the right direction.

We must remember that when people choose to wear furs, leather and hides, they are wearing formerly sentient beings. So it's a matter of who they are wearing, not what they are wearing because these animals must be referred to as who and not what or that.
We don't need to wear animals to be warm and comfortable. These are mammals that have feelings, emotions and are living beings. Who, not what we wear is an ethical choice. If you even knew a little bit about the horrid conditions under which these beautiful beings are kept and murdered I wonder how strongly you would feel about the right to wear them.
http://www.bornfreeusa.org/a10a_victims.php

I too have many areas I am passionate about and I admit animal suffering is my number one concern but I am also passionate about a zillion other topics and while I do not spend hours on each every little thing I can do matters. If everyone felt this way the world would be much closer to a humane and civilized place. If everyone feels it is just too big a matter for one little person to make a difference then we truly would get nowhere in so many areas.

 

[Cehrabehra]

Re: Anyone else get annoyed about the "conflict diamond" thi

When people say anything to me I just tell them that my diamond came from Russia, was mined decades ago and sat in a vault until it was finally cut in 2006. I cannot say 100% that that is what happened, but I heard from good (asked to not be identified) authority that the timing, size, color, clarity, cut, etc. of my diamond made that a very highly likelihood so I'm going with that. There are *other* conflicts associated with it I suppose...

 

[TristanC]

Re: Anyone else get annoyed about the "conflict diamond" thi

Leather is a good way of utilising the part of an animal which would have otherwise been discarded once the meat was eaten.
Animals raised for food are, also, unfortunate. Frequently the conditions are not significantly better than animals raised for their skins/furs.

Still, we make choices as we can. Taking a life merely for the skin/fur seems more wrong than using the skin after the meat of the animal was eaten. I cannot convincingly say why this is so. But the sight of baby harp seals being clubbed to death is magnitudes worse to me than watching a cow having its arteries severed with a sharp blade in the jewish method of butchering.

When I was young, I thought hunting was cruelty defined. Now I know that it better approximates an animal's right to live in the wild and be taken as game whilst in its prime. Kind of like the ultimate in free range.

I guess I'm trying to say that as we age we perceive differently. Perhaps none of us actually perceive correctly. Yet by stages, many of us hopefully strive to improve the choices we make.

None of us are perfect, and if we change for the better in any way. Even a small way, it is already an improvement.

The statement that you need to be perfect before you point a finger is extremely silly. I hope we ALL strive to be better people making better choices, in little parts.

2% is still a lot of diamond. Furs are still cruel. I wish I could be vegan, but I have been unable to stop eating meat. But I skip sharks fin, I buy free range, I prefer livestock raised by farms with better husbandry methods where I have a choice of knowing my meat's origin (e.g. some of the very well managed Japanese beef farms).

Nothing I do should be applauded. But I still strive to do more. Perhaps that is all we can do.

 

[Asu]

Re: Anyone else get annoyed about the "conflict diamond" thi

There is going to be conflict and atrocities in some of those countries whether diamonds are involved or not. It is naive to think otherwise. I do think it is slightly annoying because most with the sims would probably choose diamonds if they could afford them in the size they wanted. As for me, I'd rather have a natural diamond even if it was .25 cts. over a sim.

And I'll agree on the fur issue as well. I am fine with the objections, but I hope you have no leather shoes or purses and eat no meat.

Honestly I don't have a problem with conflict diamond or stones,yeah it's awful,but there are other things closer to me I care much more about.That being said,even if I could afford the stone size that I want in diamond,I would still chose moissy.It has nothing to do with the blood diamond issue,and everything to do with appearance.So,while for some people it works how you said,for me it definitely doesn't and it doesn't for many other people too.I like diamonds,and I do have an old cut one in my granny ering,but for myself I chose something else.There are many reasons why people choose simulants (and honestly,I don't feel like moissanite is a diamond simulant..it's more of a gemstone of its own.It doesn't look that much like a diamond,it's warmer and way sparklier,and that's why I choosed it),and it isn't always because of the conflict issue or money issue.
As for the fur,I would only wear fur that either
-has been dead for at least as long as I've been alive (so passed down,second hand,etc)
-comes from animals that are also used for meat,so nothing get wasted,and they don't get killed just because they have a pretty coat.

 

[Circe]

Re: Anyone else get annoyed about the "conflict diamond" thi

Yep, intellect is basically the dividing line for me. I avoid pieces produced by the contemporary fur industry because, well, I like rodents - they're smart little critters - and I won't eat pig or cephalopod because they're shockingly smart, but chickens, shrimp, and sheep are fair game. And by the same logic, that's why human rights issues are always going to trump animal rights for me ... with the corollary that with only so many hours in the day, if I have to choose a subgroup to focus on, it's going to be women's rights, just because of personal sympathies.

I agree, you don't need to devote hours and hours to feel strongly about something - but the effort of going another dozen blocks to get the free-range eggs from the farmers market every time? Not gonna happen, at least not for me.

P.S. - Tristan, the seal-clubbing is actually a really problematic example - the yearly cull kept the herds safe from disease. The sight of baby seals dying from hunger and disease is a lot more heart-wrenching, at least for me, than the mercifully quick death of clubbing.