Indifference is the other side
of the coin engraved tolerance. Tolerance in its turn
is the little sister of freedom. When indifference is
combined with avarice, it can have unpleasant consequences
such as factory farming. Fortunately, this greed for money
can be restrained by making the unwanted behavior (read
management) financially unattractive. This can be done
by withdrawing subsidies (both national and European)
and by starting to operate entirely according to the principle
of "the polluter pays".What will (not) make people
change their behavior? |
How can it be that 76%
of people is against laying batteries and yet so few
of them buy eco-eggs? |
When one really wants to change the outcome of the weighing of a illogical, but habitual behavior other factors such as responsibility will also start to count, especially when a number of negative consequences of the present behavior are indirect. One may think here of the consumer asking him- or herself whether it is not actually the producer or the government, instead of the consumer, that is responsible for the well-being of or chickens. Another factor is the estimated
effectiveness of the alternative behavior on reducing
the problem: "Is my drop a drop in the ocean?"
An example of this is for instance the question sometimes
asked by people who buy free-range eggs: is a chicken
in the free range industry really that much better off
than one in a laying battery? |
Today's hectic life is not conducive to a reconsideration of the pros and
cons of eating patterns; people just do not take the time
to do so. People do recognize the disadvantages, but do
not do anything with that knowledge. Originally neutral
values and standards change into their opposites or shoot
through. Competition is considered a virtue; moderation
is seen as deprivation. If you do not push yourself, and
others, to the limit, you are an underachiever. Altruistic
behavior is suspicious and despicable. There is a growing
pressure from society to succeed. |