Very interesting video, that second one. I’ve been thinking recently that veganism is a very powerful idea, and that the only thing holding it back from major worldwide success is the attitude of the “superior” vegans, who have much more influence over the direction of veganism than they should. Despite the superior, condescending, and shaming attitude of such vegans, veganism is growing. It would grow a lot faster if the voices of those who are focused on attracting new members could be heard over the voices of those who are focused on pushing away as many of its followers as possible.
The “superior” vegans want veganism to be as restrictive and exclusive as possible, so that they can feel maximally special. As the movement grows and becomes more mainstream, such self-centered vegans will become a minority. Eventually, they will go off and form a new group in which they can continue to feel superior to everyone else. I hope this will happen quickly because I’m tired of waiting. While the superior vegans go around telling others not to call themselves vegan, animals are suffering and dying.
I fit into the most restrictive definition of vegan. I even do some things to help animals that don’t enter into the definition (such as providing water for wildlife and planting native plants.) But I would never tell anyone that they’re not vegan because they are vegan for the environment or their health or because they eat a small amount of honey or occasionally buy leather shoes or a wool sweater. The more members we have in the movement, the better. People tend to become more conscious and strict the longer they are vegan. That was definitely true in my case.
