The Power Of Killer Tofu
March 26, 2011 5:13 PM Subscribe
Back when Super Meat Boy first came out, PETA made a parody game called Super Tofu Boy, which sort of sucked hard. Really hard. But the developers were amused, and so they put a secret into the game, letting you play as Tofu Boy himself! Unfortunately, the anemic little man could only jump half as high as the titular character and was unable to run, making it seem absolutely impossible to use him in any capacity. He can't even complete the very first level of the game.
And so, he was shelved as a joke character, and everyone forgot about him.
Or not.
{OTD}q has just released a video showing almost every possible level possible to beat with Tofu Boy and set it to a killer soundtrack, pairing the popular fansong/remix "The Power of Meat" with a lovely mix of everyone's favorite band.
And so, he was shelved as a joke character, and everyone forgot about him.
Or not.
{OTD}q has just released a video showing almost every possible level possible to beat with Tofu Boy and set it to a killer soundtrack, pairing the popular fansong/remix "The Power of Meat" with a lovely mix of everyone's favorite band.
Why does it seem like PETA is less concerned about having an actual message and more like they're just out to troll the world by going, "Hey, you know that thing you like (food, video games, sex)? Well, HERE'S a version that's TERRIBLE instead of good! LOOK AT US PAY ATTENTION TO US"
posted by DoctorFedora at 5:19 PM on March 26, 2011 [7 favorites]
posted by DoctorFedora at 5:19 PM on March 26, 2011 [7 favorites]
Also it is incredible how dedicated video gamers can be when faced with virtually insurmountable challenges.
posted by DoctorFedora at 5:20 PM on March 26, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by DoctorFedora at 5:20 PM on March 26, 2011 [2 favorites]
That's an incredible piece of editing. And a neat remix. Plus the meta hilarity of this is delightful.
Nice post!
posted by Sebmojo at 5:21 PM on March 26, 2011
Nice post!
posted by Sebmojo at 5:21 PM on March 26, 2011
Why is it that people hate PETA so much when they (PETA) have so very, very little impact on the world? Save your hate for someone actually causing your problems and skip the "see, I'm a moderate!!!!!" hippie-punching.
posted by DU at 5:25 PM on March 26, 2011 [12 favorites]
posted by DU at 5:25 PM on March 26, 2011 [12 favorites]
I don't see where anyone's doing that in any of the links, DU.
posted by flatluigi at 5:28 PM on March 26, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by flatluigi at 5:28 PM on March 26, 2011 [2 favorites]
I don't actually hate PETA, for what it's worth. Mostly they just make me feel sad for them. Like, "this person could be on the Internet, pretending to make a difference with the same effect at a fraction of the time, expense, and effort."
posted by DoctorFedora at 5:29 PM on March 26, 2011
posted by DoctorFedora at 5:29 PM on March 26, 2011
Why is it that people hate PETA so much when they (PETA) have so very, very little impact on the world?
There's a guy who comes into my store (literally) every day. He rarely bathes so he smells like a sewer and he likes to corner employees and customers and babble away at them for 20 minutes at a time. Yes, his impact on the world is minimal, but he's still annoyinmg as hell.
PETYA is that guy.
posted by jonmc at 5:31 PM on March 26, 2011 [10 favorites]
There's a guy who comes into my store (literally) every day. He rarely bathes so he smells like a sewer and he likes to corner employees and customers and babble away at them for 20 minutes at a time. Yes, his impact on the world is minimal, but he's still annoyinmg as hell.
PETYA is that guy.
posted by jonmc at 5:31 PM on March 26, 2011 [10 favorites]
PETA is that guy. I don't know what the fuck PETYA is.
posted by jonmc at 5:32 PM on March 26, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by jonmc at 5:32 PM on March 26, 2011 [1 favorite]
PETYA is his Russian cousin?
posted by DoctorFedora at 5:51 PM on March 26, 2011 [5 favorites]
posted by DoctorFedora at 5:51 PM on March 26, 2011 [5 favorites]
The Super Tofu Boy thing is harmless, but PETA has definitely been trolly before. 1 2 3
posted by kmz at 5:52 PM on March 26, 2011
posted by kmz at 5:52 PM on March 26, 2011
LET'S NOT TALK ABOUT PETA NO MORE
posted by shakespeherian at 5:53 PM on March 26, 2011
posted by shakespeherian at 5:53 PM on March 26, 2011
That's...amazing.
The fact that the game came out is also amazing. MSFT basically gave them the shaft.
posted by hellojed at 5:54 PM on March 26, 2011 [1 favorite]
The fact that the game came out is also amazing. MSFT basically gave them the shaft.
posted by hellojed at 5:54 PM on March 26, 2011 [1 favorite]
I dunno, a pal and I rode our bikes past PETA's giant crippled chicken in downtown Raleigh on our way to the gay bar last night. I kind of like having a huge bloody piece of agitprop on one of downtown's busiest streets.
posted by mediareport at 5:56 PM on March 26, 2011
posted by mediareport at 5:56 PM on March 26, 2011
Why is it that people hate PETA so much
PETA is basically the Westboro Baptist Church of animal rights with celebrity endorsment and a marketing budget.
http://www.petakillsanimals.com/ is a start. (related infographic)
They are a marketing/image firm with no real intentions of changing the world. I mean, the protest against Super Meat Boy was a typical example: Meat Boy is a skinless boy made of meat, not reanimated animal flesh. But hey, it was popular and had the word 'meat' in it, so might as well go for an easy opportunity for cheap press.
I agree with the ethical treatment of animals and maintain that a more vegetarian diet could do people (and the world) no end of good. I also believe that unwavering fundamentalism (with a healthy dose of hypocrisy and capitalism) is not the way to achieve anything.
posted by slimepuppy at 5:56 PM on March 26, 2011 [15 favorites]
PETA is basically the Westboro Baptist Church of animal rights with celebrity endorsment and a marketing budget.
http://www.petakillsanimals.com/ is a start. (related infographic)
They are a marketing/image firm with no real intentions of changing the world. I mean, the protest against Super Meat Boy was a typical example: Meat Boy is a skinless boy made of meat, not reanimated animal flesh. But hey, it was popular and had the word 'meat' in it, so might as well go for an easy opportunity for cheap press.
I agree with the ethical treatment of animals and maintain that a more vegetarian diet could do people (and the world) no end of good. I also believe that unwavering fundamentalism (with a healthy dose of hypocrisy and capitalism) is not the way to achieve anything.
posted by slimepuppy at 5:56 PM on March 26, 2011 [15 favorites]
I was a vegetarian for a decade and a half. I've been eating fish and chicken once or twice a month lately, but I'm still mostly vegetarian. Most of my friends are vegan, vegetarian, or flexitarian. I love tofu!
And PETA can go straight to hell. This is exactly right: they exist to draw attention to themselves. They're a PR firm whose main business is their own PR, like some vile Birkenstock-clad Ouroboros, or a bunch of marketing douchebags conducting a public circle jerk.
I'm still not sure whether they're so far up their own ass that they don't realize this, or whether they're satisfied with this state of affairs and don't care. But I'm not going to pay enough attention to them to figure it out.
posted by ixohoxi at 6:00 PM on March 26, 2011 [2 favorites]
And PETA can go straight to hell. This is exactly right: they exist to draw attention to themselves. They're a PR firm whose main business is their own PR, like some vile Birkenstock-clad Ouroboros, or a bunch of marketing douchebags conducting a public circle jerk.
I'm still not sure whether they're so far up their own ass that they don't realize this, or whether they're satisfied with this state of affairs and don't care. But I'm not going to pay enough attention to them to figure it out.
posted by ixohoxi at 6:00 PM on March 26, 2011 [2 favorites]
Bonus: Super Meat Boy programmer Tommy Refenes reciting the speech from Independence Day at the 2011 GDC
posted by hellojed at 6:04 PM on March 26, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by hellojed at 6:04 PM on March 26, 2011 [1 favorite]
Personally I hate PETA because of their history of sexist stunts.
posted by ArmyOfKittens at 6:09 PM on March 26, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by ArmyOfKittens at 6:09 PM on March 26, 2011 [3 favorites]
It's hard to believe there are people out there who think meat boy by itself isn't hard enough. Never underestimate the sadism of gamers I guess.
Anyways, I'm bitter about this game. I kept hearing it hyped up as being this super great indie game made by cool down to earth people, then I listened to a podcast where the guys who made it got interviewed. I've got to say, what enormous douchebags. They came off as spoiled assholes who didn't care about PC gamers at all and in particular they laughed at the question of a linux port, like I mean they really laughed, calling linux users pathetic weenies who can't afford a real OS and that they wouldn't make a linux port even if people begged them on their knees, that they would spit on them for using linux.
I think I may be the only one who has this complaint but I really felt the PC version was a sloppy halfassed port with laggy controls, no ability to remap buttons, no ability to change resolutions, it feels like a poorly made flash game or something running in an emulator.
Maybe it's just that I really wanted it to be good, and got my hopes up too high, but I really wasn't impressed.
posted by inedible at 6:15 PM on March 26, 2011 [4 favorites]
Anyways, I'm bitter about this game. I kept hearing it hyped up as being this super great indie game made by cool down to earth people, then I listened to a podcast where the guys who made it got interviewed. I've got to say, what enormous douchebags. They came off as spoiled assholes who didn't care about PC gamers at all and in particular they laughed at the question of a linux port, like I mean they really laughed, calling linux users pathetic weenies who can't afford a real OS and that they wouldn't make a linux port even if people begged them on their knees, that they would spit on them for using linux.
I think I may be the only one who has this complaint but I really felt the PC version was a sloppy halfassed port with laggy controls, no ability to remap buttons, no ability to change resolutions, it feels like a poorly made flash game or something running in an emulator.
Maybe it's just that I really wanted it to be good, and got my hopes up too high, but I really wasn't impressed.
posted by inedible at 6:15 PM on March 26, 2011 [4 favorites]
The Meat Boy Flash platformer so lovingly dwells on pixilated meaty grotesqueness that I could be persuaded that Edmund McMillen is a PETA member and the game was set up as a mechanism for instilling a distaste against animal flesh. For PETA to consider the game worthy of protest is, I dunno... I don't think I can contrive an apt metaphor of sufficient snarkiness.
I love McMillen for his ability to continue making fun and entertaining platformers, and his ability to keep his sense of humor under stress. All the same, I'm not sure I'd shake his hand without wearing rubber gloves. As for PETA, I'd accuse them of jumping the shark, but I don't think they could abide that kind of cruelty.
posted by ardgedee at 6:19 PM on March 26, 2011
I love McMillen for his ability to continue making fun and entertaining platformers, and his ability to keep his sense of humor under stress. All the same, I'm not sure I'd shake his hand without wearing rubber gloves. As for PETA, I'd accuse them of jumping the shark, but I don't think they could abide that kind of cruelty.
posted by ardgedee at 6:19 PM on March 26, 2011
I've got to say, what enormous douchebags.
Shocking that the guys who made this piece of 'art' would be a bit douche-y.
posted by empath at 6:21 PM on March 26, 2011 [2 favorites]
Shocking that the guys who made this piece of 'art' would be a bit douche-y.
posted by empath at 6:21 PM on March 26, 2011 [2 favorites]
Super Meat Boy is such an amazing game, really beautifully designed and tuned. This guy playing Tofu Boy is a master. Love his wall jump skills.
I can't resist my urge to say my personal moment of hating PETA came in 1993, when they forwarded a parody post I wrote on Usenet to my college and tried to get me expelled and prosecuted. A series of Very Serious Discussions ensued with PETA and as far as I know, they still have a file on me. The punchline is I was an ethical vegetarian activist. Dumbasses.
posted by Nelson at 6:23 PM on March 26, 2011 [1 favorite]
I can't resist my urge to say my personal moment of hating PETA came in 1993, when they forwarded a parody post I wrote on Usenet to my college and tried to get me expelled and prosecuted. A series of Very Serious Discussions ensued with PETA and as far as I know, they still have a file on me. The punchline is I was an ethical vegetarian activist. Dumbasses.
posted by Nelson at 6:23 PM on March 26, 2011 [1 favorite]
Wait, people think that PETA has actual bile for Super Meat Boy? The Super Tofu Boy site was mostly "being vegan is awesome" style stuff with attention getting silliness. McMillan loved it.
posted by The Devil Tesla at 6:25 PM on March 26, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by The Devil Tesla at 6:25 PM on March 26, 2011 [1 favorite]
He rarely bathes so he smells like a sewer and he likes to corner employees and customers and babble away at them for 20 minutes at a time. Yes, his impact on the world is minimal...
That doesn't sound very minimal to me. It's certainly waaaay more minimal than PETA's. I only hear about PETA when they are getting punched by people who feel relieved they have a chance to polish their centrist cred.
posted by DU at 6:35 PM on March 26, 2011 [1 favorite]
That doesn't sound very minimal to me. It's certainly waaaay more minimal than PETA's. I only hear about PETA when they are getting punched by people who feel relieved they have a chance to polish their centrist cred.
posted by DU at 6:35 PM on March 26, 2011 [1 favorite]
I agree with the ethical treatment of animals ... [but] unwavering fundamentalism ... is not the way to achieve anything.
Most of my friends are vegan, vegetarian, or flexitarian. I love tofu! ... And PETA can go straight to hell.
It wouldn't be a discussion about animal rights without concern trolls who don't give a flying fuck about animal rights telling the animal rights movement how to do their job. How PETA is strategically wrong to drum up media attention to build a social movement against meat-eating and the systematic, global, torture of billions of farm animals on factory farms.
Because, I mean, you guys are all across these issues, right? And you're really on the animals' side! You just love cats and dogs, and omg tofu!!!!, and only eat chicken a few times a month, and most of your friends are flexitarian.
posted by dontjumplarry at 6:35 PM on March 26, 2011 [3 favorites]
Most of my friends are vegan, vegetarian, or flexitarian. I love tofu! ... And PETA can go straight to hell.
It wouldn't be a discussion about animal rights without concern trolls who don't give a flying fuck about animal rights telling the animal rights movement how to do their job. How PETA is strategically wrong to drum up media attention to build a social movement against meat-eating and the systematic, global, torture of billions of farm animals on factory farms.
Because, I mean, you guys are all across these issues, right? And you're really on the animals' side! You just love cats and dogs, and omg tofu!!!!, and only eat chicken a few times a month, and most of your friends are flexitarian.
posted by dontjumplarry at 6:35 PM on March 26, 2011 [3 favorites]
Being against racism and sexism is not "polishing centrist cred".
posted by kmz at 6:36 PM on March 26, 2011 [5 favorites]
posted by kmz at 6:36 PM on March 26, 2011 [5 favorites]
Why does it seem like PETA is less concerned about having an actual message and more like they're just out to troll the world by going, "Hey, you know that thing you like (food, video games, sex)? Well, HERE'S a version that's TERRIBLE instead of good! LOOK AT US PAY ATTENTION TO US"
I find PETA's PR strategy pretty off-putting, too. But you should know that they do a lot of valuable stuff, in addition to the stunts everyone loves to make fun of. Valuable and dangerous -- for example, they send undercover operatives to meat factories to document abuse of the animals there.
They're the real deal. They are fighting hard for a maligned and ignored cause. And if they present themselves to the public in a way that perplexes, annoys, and sometimes embarrasses me me, well, that's too bad, but I wish them the best anyway.
posted by grobstein at 6:38 PM on March 26, 2011 [3 favorites]
I find PETA's PR strategy pretty off-putting, too. But you should know that they do a lot of valuable stuff, in addition to the stunts everyone loves to make fun of. Valuable and dangerous -- for example, they send undercover operatives to meat factories to document abuse of the animals there.
They're the real deal. They are fighting hard for a maligned and ignored cause. And if they present themselves to the public in a way that perplexes, annoys, and sometimes embarrasses me me, well, that's too bad, but I wish them the best anyway.
posted by grobstein at 6:38 PM on March 26, 2011 [3 favorites]
The Humane Society does all the "good" stuff PETA does -- more of it I believe -- without the sexism, animal genocide, and general assholery. That's where my animal loving dollars go.
Also, I missed meatboy, but as a vegetarian, I gotta say that it looks adorbs.
posted by lesli212 at 6:44 PM on March 26, 2011 [6 favorites]
Also, I missed meatboy, but as a vegetarian, I gotta say that it looks adorbs.
posted by lesli212 at 6:44 PM on March 26, 2011 [6 favorites]
They came off as spoiled assholes who didn't care about PC gamers at all and in particular they laughed at the question of a linux port, like I mean they really laughed, calling linux users pathetic weenies who can't afford a real OS and that they wouldn't make a linux port even if people begged them on their knees, that they would spit on them for using linux
Probably because they'd have to port all the DirectX code to OpenGL. There's a Mac port of SMB in the pipeline, so they're working on that, but as far as Lunix goes the market is too small for it to be worth the effort.
But they do care about the PC market, Steam is where they made most of their money.
posted by hellojed at 6:50 PM on March 26, 2011
Probably because they'd have to port all the DirectX code to OpenGL. There's a Mac port of SMB in the pipeline, so they're working on that, but as far as Lunix goes the market is too small for it to be worth the effort.
But they do care about the PC market, Steam is where they made most of their money.
posted by hellojed at 6:50 PM on March 26, 2011
ArmyOfKittens: "Personally I hate PETA because of their history of sexist stunts."
Personally, I hate PETA because of their history of derailing tangentially-related threads.
posted by flatluigi at 6:58 PM on March 26, 2011 [4 favorites]
Personally, I hate PETA because of their history of derailing tangentially-related threads.
posted by flatluigi at 6:58 PM on March 26, 2011 [4 favorites]
Super Meat Boy was supposed to come out in WiiWare. It didn't. "The file's too big, y'all!" What, like they couldn't figure that out before going through the whole charade? So then they said they'd put it out on disc instead. They didn't. "It's too expensive, y'all!" Well, duh. You couldn't crunch the numbers before making an undeliverable promise?
I'm very nearly convinced they're just fucking with the Wii nerds. I hope Nintendo sues their ass broke.
posted by Sys Rq at 7:00 PM on March 26, 2011 [2 favorites]
I'm very nearly convinced they're just fucking with the Wii nerds. I hope Nintendo sues their ass broke.
posted by Sys Rq at 7:00 PM on March 26, 2011 [2 favorites]
I think Super Meat Boy is an okay game, pretty good in fact, and all the homages to other indie games are nice. I'm happy that it's doing well. But it's kind of overrated, and yes the developers do come across a bit like assholes for the Linux comments.
posted by JHarris at 7:08 PM on March 26, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by JHarris at 7:08 PM on March 26, 2011 [1 favorite]
I wish I had the platformer skills for games like Meat Boy but I admire them from afar.
Did PETA protest Red Dead Redemption? Lots of killing and skinning in that game of animals.
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 7:13 PM on March 26, 2011
Did PETA protest Red Dead Redemption? Lots of killing and skinning in that game of animals.
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 7:13 PM on March 26, 2011
dontjumplarry: It wouldn't be a discussion about animal rights without concern trolls who don't give a flying fuck about animal rights telling the animal rights movement how to do their job. How PETA is strategically wrong to drum up media attention to build a social movement against meat-eating and the systematic, global, torture of billions of farm animals on factory farms.
Because, I mean, you guys are all across these issues, right? And you're really on the animals' side! You just love cats and dogs, and omg tofu!!!!, and only eat chicken a few times a month, and most of your friends are flexitarian.
Dude, while I'm sure I might agree with a lot of what they have to say, the way they go about it is so off-putting that I tune them out before I've even had a chance to hear their message. They have a base of supporters who probably love their methods, but in terms of converting those of us who know there's a lot wrong with the treatment of animals, but do very little to change our ways, they're not helping their cause.
posted by gman at 7:41 PM on March 26, 2011 [2 favorites]
Because, I mean, you guys are all across these issues, right? And you're really on the animals' side! You just love cats and dogs, and omg tofu!!!!, and only eat chicken a few times a month, and most of your friends are flexitarian.
Dude, while I'm sure I might agree with a lot of what they have to say, the way they go about it is so off-putting that I tune them out before I've even had a chance to hear their message. They have a base of supporters who probably love their methods, but in terms of converting those of us who know there's a lot wrong with the treatment of animals, but do very little to change our ways, they're not helping their cause.
posted by gman at 7:41 PM on March 26, 2011 [2 favorites]
Because, I mean, you guys are all across these issues, right? And you're really on the animals' side! You just love cats and dogs, and omg tofu!!!!, and only eat chicken a few times a month, and most of your friends are flexitarian.
I like the PUNK 4 LIFE implication that anyone who isn't a full on vegan is a concern troll. Let your veg flag fly, friend.
posted by verb at 7:48 PM on March 26, 2011 [6 favorites]
I like the PUNK 4 LIFE implication that anyone who isn't a full on vegan is a concern troll. Let your veg flag fly, friend.
posted by verb at 7:48 PM on March 26, 2011 [6 favorites]
I don't love animals at all, some of my best friends are vegans, and the bloody images animals rights groups use just make me hungry.
The TV Tropes page on Lethal Joke Characters is fun, though this is more of a self-imposed challenge.
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 7:54 PM on March 26, 2011
The TV Tropes page on Lethal Joke Characters is fun, though this is more of a self-imposed challenge.
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 7:54 PM on March 26, 2011
Why is it that people hate PETA so much when they (PETA) have so very, very little impact on the world? Save your hate for someone actually causing your problems and skip the "see, I'm a moderate!!!!!" hippie-punching.
...
I only hear about PETA when they are getting punched by people who feel relieved they have a chance to polish their centrist cred.
I've met ex-ALF activists who used to go on raids at animal research laboratories, and they hate PETA with the passion of hydrogen bomb detonating right in your pocket. These are not moderate or centrist people at all. These are people who put their money where there mouth is and practice direct action.
No, they don't hat PETA because PETA is too moderate, but because they feel and believe that PETA actively does more harm than good for animal rights. They run kill "shelters". They suck up way more airtime and money than they're worth. They make animal rights look like some kind of fluffy, airheaded issue that no one sane would agree with by glossing over the real issues and spending their time on annoying bullshit like protesting games like "Super Meat Boy". PETA is primarily concerned with PETA and raising money for PETA, instead of actually doing something that would make a difference.
And then there's the sexism and misogyny and other obvious bullshit not so cunning stunts that's less about the issues themselves and more about the controversy and airtime.
posted by loquacious at 7:55 PM on March 26, 2011 [11 favorites]
...
I only hear about PETA when they are getting punched by people who feel relieved they have a chance to polish their centrist cred.
I've met ex-ALF activists who used to go on raids at animal research laboratories, and they hate PETA with the passion of hydrogen bomb detonating right in your pocket. These are not moderate or centrist people at all. These are people who put their money where there mouth is and practice direct action.
No, they don't hat PETA because PETA is too moderate, but because they feel and believe that PETA actively does more harm than good for animal rights. They run kill "shelters". They suck up way more airtime and money than they're worth. They make animal rights look like some kind of fluffy, airheaded issue that no one sane would agree with by glossing over the real issues and spending their time on annoying bullshit like protesting games like "Super Meat Boy". PETA is primarily concerned with PETA and raising money for PETA, instead of actually doing something that would make a difference.
And then there's the sexism and misogyny and other obvious bullshit not so cunning stunts that's less about the issues themselves and more about the controversy and airtime.
posted by loquacious at 7:55 PM on March 26, 2011 [11 favorites]
Super Meat Boy was supposed to come out in WiiWare. It didn't. "The file's too big, y'all!" What, like they couldn't figure that out before going through the whole charade? So then they said they'd put it out on disc instead. They didn't. "It's too expensive, y'all!" Well, duh. You couldn't crunch the numbers before making an undeliverable promise?
They had the original Wii file restrictions in mind when they were first making SMB, but opted to ignore them for adding features/levels that put them above the limit. They can't really do a retail release not because of the expense, but because publishers are wary of the Wii at this stage in the console's lifecycle.
posted by hellojed at 7:58 PM on March 26, 2011
They had the original Wii file restrictions in mind when they were first making SMB, but opted to ignore them for adding features/levels that put them above the limit. They can't really do a retail release not because of the expense, but because publishers are wary of the Wii at this stage in the console's lifecycle.
posted by hellojed at 7:58 PM on March 26, 2011
Slimepuppy: it's good to check your sources ""PETA Kills Animals" is a project of the Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the full range of choices that American consumers currently enjoy. In addition to malicious animal-rights activists, we stand up to the "food police," environmental scaremongers, neo-prohibitionists, meddling bureaucrats, and other self-anointed saints who claim to "know what's best" for you."
They're funded by restaurants and food companies and also host the following sites:
* ActivistCash.com
* AnimalScam.com
* CSPIScam.com
* HowMuchFish.com
* HumaneWatch.org
* MercuryFacts.org
* ObesityMyths.com
* PetaKillsAnimals.com
* PhysicianScam.com
* SweetScam.com
Don't get me wrong, PETA are assholes, but these guys are shills.
posted by leotrotsky at 8:15 PM on March 26, 2011 [8 favorites]
They're funded by restaurants and food companies and also host the following sites:
* ActivistCash.com
* AnimalScam.com
* CSPIScam.com
* HowMuchFish.com
* HumaneWatch.org
* MercuryFacts.org
* ObesityMyths.com
* PetaKillsAnimals.com
* PhysicianScam.com
* SweetScam.com
Don't get me wrong, PETA are assholes, but these guys are shills.
posted by leotrotsky at 8:15 PM on March 26, 2011 [8 favorites]
I don't really care about PETA except that every time I hear the acronym, I envision myself slicing open a Porterhouse steak, seared and cooked to rare perfection.
posted by double block and bleed at 8:18 PM on March 26, 2011
posted by double block and bleed at 8:18 PM on March 26, 2011
Why is it that people hate PETA so much when they (PETA) have so very, very little impact on the world?
Why is it that people hate Fred Phelps so much when he has so very, very little impact on the world?
posted by 2N2222 at 8:21 PM on March 26, 2011 [1 favorite]
but these guys are shills.
That would seem to carry more weight if it could be demonstrated that their info is bogus. If it isn't, the fact that they're shills isn't relevant.
Is CCF wrong?
posted by 2N2222 at 8:39 PM on March 26, 2011
That would seem to carry more weight if it could be demonstrated that their info is bogus. If it isn't, the fact that they're shills isn't relevant.
Is CCF wrong?
posted by 2N2222 at 8:39 PM on March 26, 2011
Why is it that people hate PETA so much when they (PETA) have so very, very little impact on the world?
Well, I don't think I've encountered much PETA hate in my day-to-day life, but boy, I've read plenty on MeFi. And I've never understood this unusual yet persistent obsession.
Also, I don't get the "everyone's favorite band" reference: is it sarcasm, or are The Beets the latest for the too-cool set? Because keeping up on that shit just wears me out. I usually just listen to the music and decide for myself, but hey, I'm weird that way.
posted by rain at 8:54 PM on March 26, 2011
Well, I don't think I've encountered much PETA hate in my day-to-day life, but boy, I've read plenty on MeFi. And I've never understood this unusual yet persistent obsession.
Also, I don't get the "everyone's favorite band" reference: is it sarcasm, or are The Beets the latest for the too-cool set? Because keeping up on that shit just wears me out. I usually just listen to the music and decide for myself, but hey, I'm weird that way.
posted by rain at 8:54 PM on March 26, 2011
is it sarcasm, or are The Beets the latest for the too-cool set?
The Beets are a fictional band from the late 90's cartoon Doug.
posted by hellojed at 9:02 PM on March 26, 2011 [6 favorites]
The Beets are a fictional band from the late 90's cartoon Doug.
posted by hellojed at 9:02 PM on March 26, 2011 [6 favorites]
gman: in terms of converting those of us who know there's a lot wrong with the treatment of animals, but do very little to change our ways, they're not helping their cause.
I think that's an empirical question, gman. I'm not a PETA supporter specifically, my politics and preferred strategy don't align exactly with them. But I think it's at least arguable that they *are* helping their cause of raising awareness of animal rights and vegetarianism among a key segment of the population (eg, say, sympathetic high schoolers & college aged kids) even as they put people like you offside. You say that PETA isn't changing your ways, but how much has Vegan Outreach (an org I do support, which has a very different, more quiet, more socially acceptable strategy) changed your ways? Haven't heard of Vegan Outreach? Well, exactly. I feel there might be room for both a loud and a quiet strategy, to target different demographics.
verb: I like the PUNK 4 LIFE implication that anyone who isn't a full on vegan is a concern troll. Let your veg flag fly, friend.
That's blatantly misconstruing my comment. I pointed the finger at just two comments, not because they fell short of being "full on vegans" but because they were doing what concern trolls typically do: profess to have the best interests of a cause (vegetarianism) at heart when they clearly don't, then offer advice to the proponents of that cause how to become quieter, gentler, less of a bother and more ineffective. (And thank for you the condescending slur, but there is nothing PUNK 4 LIFE or flag flying about me -- I'm not even a proper vegetarian myself -- I've simply been swayed by the arguments of utilitarians like Peter Singer that large-scale animal suffering on factory farms is a key ethical issue, and I get shitty when I see people try to minimise or gloss over it).
loquacious: I've met ex-ALF activists who used to go on raids at animal research laboratories, and they hate PETA with the passion of hydrogen bomb detonating right in your pocket. ... No, they don't hat PETA because PETA is too moderate
Many of them do actually feel it is too moderate. PETA's welfarist, utilitarianism-influenced stance on animal suffering (which permitted the euthanazing of dogs that America's fast food companies were so up in arms about) is in stark contrast to the abolitionist approach of many radical animal rights advocates, which is not concerned with (say) improving battery conditions for chickens but seeking to abolish the property status of animals entirely.
posted by dontjumplarry at 9:15 PM on March 26, 2011 [1 favorite]
I think that's an empirical question, gman. I'm not a PETA supporter specifically, my politics and preferred strategy don't align exactly with them. But I think it's at least arguable that they *are* helping their cause of raising awareness of animal rights and vegetarianism among a key segment of the population (eg, say, sympathetic high schoolers & college aged kids) even as they put people like you offside. You say that PETA isn't changing your ways, but how much has Vegan Outreach (an org I do support, which has a very different, more quiet, more socially acceptable strategy) changed your ways? Haven't heard of Vegan Outreach? Well, exactly. I feel there might be room for both a loud and a quiet strategy, to target different demographics.
verb: I like the PUNK 4 LIFE implication that anyone who isn't a full on vegan is a concern troll. Let your veg flag fly, friend.
That's blatantly misconstruing my comment. I pointed the finger at just two comments, not because they fell short of being "full on vegans" but because they were doing what concern trolls typically do: profess to have the best interests of a cause (vegetarianism) at heart when they clearly don't, then offer advice to the proponents of that cause how to become quieter, gentler, less of a bother and more ineffective. (And thank for you the condescending slur, but there is nothing PUNK 4 LIFE or flag flying about me -- I'm not even a proper vegetarian myself -- I've simply been swayed by the arguments of utilitarians like Peter Singer that large-scale animal suffering on factory farms is a key ethical issue, and I get shitty when I see people try to minimise or gloss over it).
loquacious: I've met ex-ALF activists who used to go on raids at animal research laboratories, and they hate PETA with the passion of hydrogen bomb detonating right in your pocket. ... No, they don't hat PETA because PETA is too moderate
Many of them do actually feel it is too moderate. PETA's welfarist, utilitarianism-influenced stance on animal suffering (which permitted the euthanazing of dogs that America's fast food companies were so up in arms about) is in stark contrast to the abolitionist approach of many radical animal rights advocates, which is not concerned with (say) improving battery conditions for chickens but seeking to abolish the property status of animals entirely.
posted by dontjumplarry at 9:15 PM on March 26, 2011 [1 favorite]
I pointed the finger at just two comments, not because they fell short of being "full on vegans" but because they were doing what concern trolls typically do: profess to have the best interests of a cause (vegetarianism) at heart when they clearly don't, then offer advice to the proponents of that cause how to become quieter, gentler, less of a bother and more ineffective.
I think you're posting in the wrong thread. The people you responded to said and implied no such thing.
(And thank for you the condescending slur, but there is nothing PUNK 4 LIFE or flag flying about me -- I'm not even a proper vegetarian myself -- I've simply been swayed by the arguments of utilitarians like Peter Singer that large-scale animal suffering on factory farms is a key ethical issue, and I get shitty when I see people try to minimise or gloss over it).
You just called two people "concern trolls" based solely on the fact that they don't like PETA's tactics, mocked them, and characterized their positive statements about vegetarianism and animal rights as insincere. If we're calling out condescension, let's both go to the time-out box, why don't we?
posted by verb at 9:28 PM on March 26, 2011 [2 favorites]
I think you're posting in the wrong thread. The people you responded to said and implied no such thing.
(And thank for you the condescending slur, but there is nothing PUNK 4 LIFE or flag flying about me -- I'm not even a proper vegetarian myself -- I've simply been swayed by the arguments of utilitarians like Peter Singer that large-scale animal suffering on factory farms is a key ethical issue, and I get shitty when I see people try to minimise or gloss over it).
You just called two people "concern trolls" based solely on the fact that they don't like PETA's tactics, mocked them, and characterized their positive statements about vegetarianism and animal rights as insincere. If we're calling out condescension, let's both go to the time-out box, why don't we?
posted by verb at 9:28 PM on March 26, 2011 [2 favorites]
How PETA is strategically wrong to drum up media attention to build a social movement against meat-eating and the systematic, global, torture of billions of farm animals on factory farms.
How's that working out for them?
posted by empath at 9:37 PM on March 26, 2011 [1 favorite]
How's that working out for them?
posted by empath at 9:37 PM on March 26, 2011 [1 favorite]
Everyone still asking why PETA is so hated, loquacious already answered your question.
posted by JHarris at 9:44 PM on March 26, 2011
posted by JHarris at 9:44 PM on March 26, 2011
verb: If we're calling out condescension, let's both go to the time-out box, why don't we?
Fair call.
empath: How's that working out for them?
Uh, last time I looked, kinda well. I said that they were raising awareness to build a social movement, and last time I looked, there's kind of a sizeable movement of ethical vegetarians out there. Have you been to a college campus recently? PETA didn't build the movement, but I think it probably contributed to it.
No, they haven't stopped factory farming, but are you saying that orgs which don't attain their goals immediately are pointless? Every social movement I can think of -- workers' rights, feminism, civil rights, anti-apartheid, gay rights -- had a long period of achingly slow progress before finally gaining traction.
posted by dontjumplarry at 10:05 PM on March 26, 2011 [1 favorite]
Fair call.
empath: How's that working out for them?
Uh, last time I looked, kinda well. I said that they were raising awareness to build a social movement, and last time I looked, there's kind of a sizeable movement of ethical vegetarians out there. Have you been to a college campus recently? PETA didn't build the movement, but I think it probably contributed to it.
No, they haven't stopped factory farming, but are you saying that orgs which don't attain their goals immediately are pointless? Every social movement I can think of -- workers' rights, feminism, civil rights, anti-apartheid, gay rights -- had a long period of achingly slow progress before finally gaining traction.
posted by dontjumplarry at 10:05 PM on March 26, 2011 [1 favorite]
but these guys are shills.
That would seem to carry more weight if it could be demonstrated that their info is bogus. If it isn't, the fact that they're shills isn't relevant.
These particular shills are pretty grotesque. Like many people here, I'm no fan of PETA, not by a long shot, but PETA is far from CCF's only target. ActivistCash.com has targeted Marion Nestle, Chef's Collaborative, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the California Endowment. CCF has described Charlotte's Web and Carl Hiaasen's YA novel Hoot as ecoterrorist propaganda aimed at children. It is also the sister organization of the Center for Union Facts. We have Rick Berman to thank for both of these organizations, and for their repellent effect on public discourse.
2N2222, to answer your specific question on whether CCF is wrong: I'll be honest. I don't know. I've only done the most cursory Google-based research, but every mention of these particular statistics just leads back to CCF/petakillsanimals/Activist Cash. But based on other "facts" they've disclosed on other issues, and against other targets, on which I have done research, I'm going to go out on a limb and say that CCF has probably taken information that may or may not contain a kernel of truth, and then distorted it wildly to discredit the opponents of the industries on whose behalf it lobbies.
And again, I say this as someone who finds PETA loathsome for the reasons loquacious mentions above. I mean, really loathsome. But I think CCF is worse. And considering that CCF and CUF are both well-funded and well-situated to shape the public dialogue on issues like health care and collective bargaining rights for public employees, hell yes, the fact that they're shills is relevant.
posted by bakerina at 10:26 PM on March 26, 2011 [5 favorites]
That would seem to carry more weight if it could be demonstrated that their info is bogus. If it isn't, the fact that they're shills isn't relevant.
These particular shills are pretty grotesque. Like many people here, I'm no fan of PETA, not by a long shot, but PETA is far from CCF's only target. ActivistCash.com has targeted Marion Nestle, Chef's Collaborative, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the California Endowment. CCF has described Charlotte's Web and Carl Hiaasen's YA novel Hoot as ecoterrorist propaganda aimed at children. It is also the sister organization of the Center for Union Facts. We have Rick Berman to thank for both of these organizations, and for their repellent effect on public discourse.
2N2222, to answer your specific question on whether CCF is wrong: I'll be honest. I don't know. I've only done the most cursory Google-based research, but every mention of these particular statistics just leads back to CCF/petakillsanimals/Activist Cash. But based on other "facts" they've disclosed on other issues, and against other targets, on which I have done research, I'm going to go out on a limb and say that CCF has probably taken information that may or may not contain a kernel of truth, and then distorted it wildly to discredit the opponents of the industries on whose behalf it lobbies.
And again, I say this as someone who finds PETA loathsome for the reasons loquacious mentions above. I mean, really loathsome. But I think CCF is worse. And considering that CCF and CUF are both well-funded and well-situated to shape the public dialogue on issues like health care and collective bargaining rights for public employees, hell yes, the fact that they're shills is relevant.
posted by bakerina at 10:26 PM on March 26, 2011 [5 favorites]
The upcoming level editor lets users force players to use a particular character, and Tofu Boy is selectable. I can't wait to see what kind of hell we can put each other through with that little white slab.
posted by BiggerJ at 12:23 AM on March 27, 2011
posted by BiggerJ at 12:23 AM on March 27, 2011
...and the bloody images animals rights groups use just make me hungry.
*sigh* Honestly?
posted by tumid dahlia at 1:27 AM on March 27, 2011 [2 favorites]
*sigh* Honestly?
posted by tumid dahlia at 1:27 AM on March 27, 2011 [2 favorites]
I have no opinion about PETA. I just want to talk about how pretty Meatboy looks, how awesome it was that they used The Beats (THE BEATS!) in a remix (because who else would you use?), and holy crap, that guy has serious skills.
posted by gc at 1:31 AM on March 27, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by gc at 1:31 AM on March 27, 2011 [3 favorites]
I pointed the finger at just two comments, not because they fell short of being "full on vegans" but because they were doing what concern trolls typically do: profess to have the best interests of a cause (vegetarianism) at heart when they clearly don't, then offer advice to the proponents of that cause how to become quieter, gentler, less of a bother and more ineffective
Full disclaimer: I am not a vegetarian, so you will undoubtedly ignore anything I say subsequently.
PETA resonates mostly with converts and politically active young people. I am not going to convince my parents or the vast majority of people I know to become vegans overnight because of shocking pictures of animal cruelty. What I can do is convince people that meat production can be (and often is) cruel, unsustainable, ultimately not very healthy and that changing your eating habits to favour vegetarian food and more ethically farmed meat is an empirically good idea (and I live what I preach). PETA does not advocate a moderate stance. They never run campaigns of 'make Thursday vegetarian day' or the equivalents. I will not apologise if being a moderate makes me a 'concern troll'. I will always, always respond better to 'quieter, gentler and less of a bother' tactics than a militant vegan screaming in my face. I'm sure yelling a message from the rooftops raises awareness better than quietly trying to fix things, but I know which of the two I advocate more.
Also, I genuinely believe that consumers that vote with their wallets by buying more local, free range, cruelty-free meat products will change things more than people that simply stop eating meat. It's an industry like any other - once you stop contributing, they stop caring.
I understand that this is a hot-button issue for people, but please, try to be civil and not 'get shitty' about it, especially with people who are effectively on the same side of the issue.
posted by slimepuppy at 4:31 AM on March 27, 2011 [2 favorites]
Full disclaimer: I am not a vegetarian, so you will undoubtedly ignore anything I say subsequently.
PETA resonates mostly with converts and politically active young people. I am not going to convince my parents or the vast majority of people I know to become vegans overnight because of shocking pictures of animal cruelty. What I can do is convince people that meat production can be (and often is) cruel, unsustainable, ultimately not very healthy and that changing your eating habits to favour vegetarian food and more ethically farmed meat is an empirically good idea (and I live what I preach). PETA does not advocate a moderate stance. They never run campaigns of 'make Thursday vegetarian day' or the equivalents. I will not apologise if being a moderate makes me a 'concern troll'. I will always, always respond better to 'quieter, gentler and less of a bother' tactics than a militant vegan screaming in my face. I'm sure yelling a message from the rooftops raises awareness better than quietly trying to fix things, but I know which of the two I advocate more.
Also, I genuinely believe that consumers that vote with their wallets by buying more local, free range, cruelty-free meat products will change things more than people that simply stop eating meat. It's an industry like any other - once you stop contributing, they stop caring.
I understand that this is a hot-button issue for people, but please, try to be civil and not 'get shitty' about it, especially with people who are effectively on the same side of the issue.
posted by slimepuppy at 4:31 AM on March 27, 2011 [2 favorites]
The Beets are a fictional band from the late 90's cartoon Doug.
Okay. I wasn't watching many Saturday morning cartoons in the 90's. With respect to front page posts, clarity at the expense of knowing hipster and/or obscure American cultural references would be nice, but I guess that wouldn't be nearly as cool.
posted by rain at 6:17 AM on March 27, 2011
Okay. I wasn't watching many Saturday morning cartoons in the 90's. With respect to front page posts, clarity at the expense of knowing hipster and/or obscure American cultural references would be nice, but I guess that wouldn't be nearly as cool.
posted by rain at 6:17 AM on March 27, 2011
It was an in-joke, Rain. Don't try to be feeling superior because you didn't get the in-joke.
posted by Lord Chancellor at 7:36 AM on March 27, 2011 [5 favorites]
posted by Lord Chancellor at 7:36 AM on March 27, 2011 [5 favorites]
PETA regularly protests the herd-culling deer hunts at the private nature reserve I grew up in. Their proposed solution to these hunts that prevent the deer from over populating and starving to death in the winter? Contraceptives. Even though these contraceptives are extremely expensive and you had to first tranquilize the deer to administer it (adding even more cost, and risking killing the deer [deer are notoriously bad about this sort of thing.]) My dad's response to this as the director? "If PETA wants to pay for all this extra stuff, then we'll do it their way. But I doubt they'll go for it." They didn't/don't want to pay, so they picket(ed) the entrance with lame signs like "Don't kill Bambi" etc.
I think that PETA shoots themselves in the foot often by picking the wrong battles and/or fighting them badly. I support them bringing awareness to fur, but throwing paint on people just makes them mad and probably more likely to wear/buy more fur. If they are going to try to run "shelters," then maybe they shouldn't kill most of the animals they "save."
posted by schyler523 at 8:55 AM on March 27, 2011 [3 favorites]
I think that PETA shoots themselves in the foot often by picking the wrong battles and/or fighting them badly. I support them bringing awareness to fur, but throwing paint on people just makes them mad and probably more likely to wear/buy more fur. If they are going to try to run "shelters," then maybe they shouldn't kill most of the animals they "save."
posted by schyler523 at 8:55 AM on March 27, 2011 [3 favorites]
Okay. I wasn't watching many Saturday morning cartoons in the 90's.
At the risk of sounding like Comic Book Guy, Doug wasn't a Saturday morning cartoon.
With respect to front page posts, clarity at the expense of knowing hipster and/or obscure American cultural references would be nice, but I guess that wouldn't be nearly as cool.
No. No, it wouldn't.
I'm teasing you, rain. But only a little bit.
posted by bakerina at 9:17 AM on March 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
At the risk of sounding like Comic Book Guy, Doug wasn't a Saturday morning cartoon.
With respect to front page posts, clarity at the expense of knowing hipster and/or obscure American cultural references would be nice, but I guess that wouldn't be nearly as cool.
No. No, it wouldn't.
I'm teasing you, rain. But only a little bit.
posted by bakerina at 9:17 AM on March 27, 2011 [1 favorite]
Disclaimer: I eat meat.
I'm down in Norfolk, VA where PETA headquarters are. I've gone and volunteered at work party to sort and package flyers and information packages. They are, as individuals, rather reasonable people that have been kind to me and didn't make me feel guilty at all.
They however have an organization that ultimately I can't support despite it's laudable goals. Between the casual misogyny used over and over and the tone-deafness that hurts their cause, I just don't see them as the best organization for what they're trying to do. They have my (sometime) respect, but I'm not going to help them do their crazy stunts.
posted by Lord Chancellor at 2:18 PM on March 27, 2011
I'm down in Norfolk, VA where PETA headquarters are. I've gone and volunteered at work party to sort and package flyers and information packages. They are, as individuals, rather reasonable people that have been kind to me and didn't make me feel guilty at all.
They however have an organization that ultimately I can't support despite it's laudable goals. Between the casual misogyny used over and over and the tone-deafness that hurts their cause, I just don't see them as the best organization for what they're trying to do. They have my (sometime) respect, but I'm not going to help them do their crazy stunts.
posted by Lord Chancellor at 2:18 PM on March 27, 2011
CCF has described Charlotte's Web and Carl Hiaasen's YA novel Hoot as ecoterrorist propaganda aimed at children.
Wow, just realized they're kinda right about Charlotte's Web. Still a good book.
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 2:29 PM on March 27, 2011
Wow, just realized they're kinda right about Charlotte's Web. Still a good book.
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 2:29 PM on March 27, 2011
From now on every proper noun, and every reference to anything, has to link to a wikipedia article. God forbid rain ever has to feel out of the loop. God forbid rain click on the link provided and see the word “Doug” all out of context and read the description of a YouTube video saying the band is fictional and from a cartoon.
posted by SAC at 7:11 PM on March 27, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by SAC at 7:11 PM on March 27, 2011 [2 favorites]
I'm a former vegetarian who believes strongly in the need for better animal treatment, and I loathe PETA. I haven't always felt this way; I remember that, back when I first became vegetarian, around age 13 or so, I loved Peta. Then little by little, as the years went by and I learned more and more about them, my opinion of them started to fade.
It was so many little things. The constant, obnoxious use of shock value, gore, and nudity to get attention (the last one I didn't really mind, but it's bad press for the animal welfare/rights movement.) The divisive slogans like 'Meat is Murder,' that do little but make meat eaters get defensive. Ads targeted towards children, that show their parents as scary, blood-soaked butchers. The horribly mismanaged animal shelters. The shady economic support of organizations like the ALF. The ridiculous efforts to get people to call fish 'sea kittens.' And the all-or-nothing attitude, practiced by the organization's followers if not PETA itself, that discourages those who try to eat only a little meat, or eat meat, but only from organic sources.
PETA does some good, sure. They did a lot to end Fois Gras, which is a really barbaric practice, and if nothing else they do a good job of raising awareness and converting teens to vegetarianism. But they do an even better job of making vegetarians look like radical crazies to a lot of people who might otherwise support better animal treatment.
The smaller grassroots organization Vegan Outreach is vastly better in pretty much every way, with sane ads that avoid embarrassing slogans, sexism and shock tactics. VO even--get this--encourages people to try to eat less meat or organic meat, if they're not ready to take the plunge into a full vegetarian diet.
Also, Super Meat Boy is an brilliant game, and these videos were hilarious. Thanks for the post!
posted by Green Winnebago at 7:58 PM on March 27, 2011
It was so many little things. The constant, obnoxious use of shock value, gore, and nudity to get attention (the last one I didn't really mind, but it's bad press for the animal welfare/rights movement.) The divisive slogans like 'Meat is Murder,' that do little but make meat eaters get defensive. Ads targeted towards children, that show their parents as scary, blood-soaked butchers. The horribly mismanaged animal shelters. The shady economic support of organizations like the ALF. The ridiculous efforts to get people to call fish 'sea kittens.' And the all-or-nothing attitude, practiced by the organization's followers if not PETA itself, that discourages those who try to eat only a little meat, or eat meat, but only from organic sources.
PETA does some good, sure. They did a lot to end Fois Gras, which is a really barbaric practice, and if nothing else they do a good job of raising awareness and converting teens to vegetarianism. But they do an even better job of making vegetarians look like radical crazies to a lot of people who might otherwise support better animal treatment.
The smaller grassroots organization Vegan Outreach is vastly better in pretty much every way, with sane ads that avoid embarrassing slogans, sexism and shock tactics. VO even--get this--encourages people to try to eat less meat or organic meat, if they're not ready to take the plunge into a full vegetarian diet.
Also, Super Meat Boy is an brilliant game, and these videos were hilarious. Thanks for the post!
posted by Green Winnebago at 7:58 PM on March 27, 2011
PETA does some good, sure. They did a lot to end Fois Gras, which is a really barbaric practice, and if nothing else they do a good job of raising awareness and converting teens to vegetarianism.
they do so much good that they prevent me from eating one of the world's great delicacies. thanks, PETA.
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 8:01 PM on March 27, 2011
they do so much good that they prevent me from eating one of the world's great delicacies. thanks, PETA.
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 8:01 PM on March 27, 2011
they do so much good that they prevent me from eating one of the world's great delicacies. thanks, PETA.
"One of the world's great delicacies" that can, unfortunately, only be produced be force-feeding ducks. Some argue that foie gras can be produced humanely, but it's questionable. Many ethical groups, as well as a number of renowned chefs, are strongly against the practice.
At the very least, can we agree that this is the kind of thing that warrants some tight government regulation? And that the right of animals to not undergo what can be essentially torture might outweigh our right as humans to eat every kind of cleverly concocted meat treat?
posted by Green Winnebago at 11:45 PM on March 27, 2011
"One of the world's great delicacies" that can, unfortunately, only be produced be force-feeding ducks. Some argue that foie gras can be produced humanely, but it's questionable. Many ethical groups, as well as a number of renowned chefs, are strongly against the practice.
At the very least, can we agree that this is the kind of thing that warrants some tight government regulation? And that the right of animals to not undergo what can be essentially torture might outweigh our right as humans to eat every kind of cleverly concocted meat treat?
posted by Green Winnebago at 11:45 PM on March 27, 2011
Not really!
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 12:13 AM on March 28, 2011
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 12:13 AM on March 28, 2011
Also, Foie Gras didn't 'end.' I had some at my birthday dinner a few months back. It was delicious.
posted by jonmc at 5:22 AM on March 28, 2011
posted by jonmc at 5:22 AM on March 28, 2011
We have Rick Berman to thank for both of these organizations, and for their repellent effect on public discourse.
My god, is there no end to this man's perfidy? First he nearly kills the Star Trek franchise, then... wait.
posted by Halloween Jack at 10:58 AM on March 28, 2011 [2 favorites]
My god, is there no end to this man's perfidy? First he nearly kills the Star Trek franchise, then... wait.
posted by Halloween Jack at 10:58 AM on March 28, 2011 [2 favorites]
I can also confirm that foie gras is still around and still delicious.
I will be sure to re-confirm this assertion next month.
posted by Theta States at 11:00 AM on March 28, 2011 [2 favorites]
I will be sure to re-confirm this assertion next month.
posted by Theta States at 11:00 AM on March 28, 2011 [2 favorites]
For the people upthread who said the SMB devs were complete assholes who would never ever port it to Linux
posted by flatluigi at 7:58 AM on March 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by flatluigi at 7:58 AM on March 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
Odd that I would re-read this thread only an hour after you posted that. Anyways, thanks for that tweet, flatluigi. I've regained a bit of respect for the devs.
posted by inedible at 8:56 PM on March 30, 2011
posted by inedible at 8:56 PM on March 30, 2011
If someone had told me at the tender age of 7 that 20 years later I would have a dubstep remix of a fairly obscure, one-shot song from a Saturday morning cartoon combined with a remix of the theme song of a game featuring a spoof character only made to mock a PETA protest stunt stuck in my head for an entire week, I can safely say I would have thought they were insane.
I am so happy for the internet, and this song, thank you
posted by six-or-six-thirty at 3:17 PM on March 31, 2011 [1 favorite]
I am so happy for the internet, and this song, thank you
posted by six-or-six-thirty at 3:17 PM on March 31, 2011 [1 favorite]
Anyways, I'm bitter about this game. I kept hearing it hyped up as being this super great indie game made by cool down to earth people, then I listened to a podcast where the guys who made it got interviewed. I've got to say, what enormous douchebags. They came off as spoiled assholes who didn't care about PC gamers at all and in particular they laughed at the question of a linux port, like I mean they really laughed, calling linux users pathetic weenies who can't afford a real OS and that they wouldn't make a linux port even if people begged them on their knees, that they would spit on them for using linux.
Douchebags? Yes. But yea, a linux (and mac!) port is happening according to a bulleted list here. If you want to be uncharitable you could say that they are only doing it to get in the humble indie bundle, but still. They were obviously joking, and they made a great game (when it works).
posted by The Devil Tesla at 8:47 AM on April 9, 2011
Douchebags? Yes. But yea, a linux (and mac!) port is happening according to a bulleted list here. If you want to be uncharitable you could say that they are only doing it to get in the humble indie bundle, but still. They were obviously joking, and they made a great game (when it works).
posted by The Devil Tesla at 8:47 AM on April 9, 2011
« Older Jack and Patrick draw and paint | Hacking the Free Market Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
posted by flatluigi at 5:13 PM on March 26, 2011