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Presenters: Joy

Melanie Joy
Author, Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows

In this presentation, social psychologist Melanie Joy explains carnism, the invisible belief system that shapes our perception of animals and meat, so that we learn to love some species and eat others without knowing why. Joy explains how carnism is sustained by complex, hidden social and psychological mechanisms and it conditions people to act against their core values, their own interest, and the interest of others. Joy then discusses how vegans can apply their understanding of carnism to communicate more effectively with meat eaters, advocate more strategically, navigate “mixed” (veg/meat eater) relationships, feel more grounded in and better able to articulate their own ethical choices, and feel more empowered living in a dominant meat-eating culture.