'Veganism is a death cult': Internet reacts to 'brutal' claim on health podcast
3 months ago | 5 Views
In a recent episode of The Human Upgrade podcast, host Dave Asprey, a health science entrepreneur and author, engaged in a conversation with Paul Saladino, a medical doctor and expert on the carnivore diet, regarding the complexities of dietary evolution, holistic health, and metabolic science. During their dialogue, Dave characterized veganism as a 'death cult,' prompting a backlash from a segment of social media users who criticized him for what they deemed 'another baseless attack on veganism.'
What was said against veganism on the podcast
Comments made about veganism during the podcast included Dave's assertion that “Veganism is about death. It is a death cult. Having been a committed raw vegan, I believe that veganism embodies a profound aversion to the life and death cycle. You attempt to halt it; however, if you consider the number of deaths associated with producing your Impossible Burger (a leading name in plant-based protein), it far exceeds that of a cow. This reality is often willfully overlooked. The notion of 'not eating things with faces' raises the question of why worms and insects are not regarded as sacred. They are indeed affected by industrial agriculture. For instance, glyphosate can induce seizures in earthworms at levels significantly below those permitted in soil. Therefore, if one truly respects the life cycle, it is essential to protect the cows,” Dave articulated.
Paul Saladino further contributed to the discussion by stating, “Veganism is a complete fallacy. There is no existence on this planet without the act of killing something... it does not promote life, nor is it beneficial for the earth, nor is it humane. While the intention behind veganism is commendable—aiming to reduce harm and foster compassion—there are significant flaws...”
How Instagram reacted
Following the release of a clip from the podcast on Dave's Instagram account, which linked veganism to death, numerous users expressed their discontent in the comments section. One user remarked, “Eighty percent of the world's soy is allocated to livestock; if you genuinely care about these insects, as you claim, then you would refrain from consuming livestock…” Another user commented, “Such nonsense. Cow versus worm…”
'Stop coming up with bs to attack veganism'
A person remarked, “A vegan diet is not reliant on Impossible Burgers or other imitation meats!” Another individual responded, “Isn’t it somewhat harsh? The industrial animal farming system.” Additionally, one comment stated, “The food you consume is responsible for over 70 percent of all crops cultivated.”
Another user on Instagram expressed, “This is yet another baseless attack on veganism! Let me clarify: Impossible does not equate to veganism! Please refrain from fabricating arguments against veganism! By the way, plants lack a nervous system, so they are not comparable!”
What is veganism?
As defined by the Vegan Society, veganism is a lifestyle choice that seeks to eliminate animal exploitation and cruelty to the greatest extent possible. It advocates for the adoption of animal-free alternatives for the welfare of both animals and humans. Notable figures such as Billie Eilish and Richa Chadha have openly discussed how embracing veganism has positively impacted their health, energy, and mental well-being.
