Exploring the Shift in American Attitudes Towards Animals: A Conversation with the Authors of “Our Kindred Creatures”

The hosts of Slate’s Political Gabfest podcast, Emily Bazelon, Bill Wasik, and Monica Murphy, recently discussed their new book “Our Kindred Creatures: How Americans Came to Feel the Way They Do About Animals.” The conversation delved into the industrialization of livestock and the shift in how people interact with food animals.

During the late 19th century, there was a significant transformation in how animals were raised and consumed. Midwestern producers began shipping animals by rail to be slaughtered in population hubs, leading to the rise of refrigerated rail cars and massive slaughter factories in cities like Chicago. This shift marked a change from the tactile immediacy of interacting with animals on a family farm to a more abstract and distant relationship with food animals.

The discussion also touched on the dichotomy between our devotion to pets and wildlife versus our disconnect from the livestock we consume. The hosts explored the idea of caring for animal welfare as a marker of societal development and the importance of considering the environmental impact of animal agriculture in the context of climate change.

Overall, the conversation highlighted the need for greater awareness of the systemic issues surrounding animal treatment and the interconnectedness of our choices as consumers. By considering the consequences of our actions on both animals and humans, we can strive towards more ethical and sustainable behavior.