Animal

How are we to act toward the animals? Evolution is just too slow. For us, not them. They are as they always have been: innocent. We, on the other hand, having multiplied our powers almost infinitely, are lords of the earth. But we still lack empathy.

The other day, looking for an unfamiliar channel, I came upon a hunting show. Before I could move my thumb, two laughing men in camouflage shot and killed a mountain goat. If I could, I would have struck them dead on the spot. (Note to TiVo.) Yet I eat meat and love my leather jacket. What an intractable mess.

Better to shoot a hunter than an animal? Of course. But shoot that guy in the leather jacket? I don't think so.