Animal ethicists are calling for a new vocabulary about animals, shunning words such as “pets,” “wildlife,” and “vermin” as derogatory and even suggesting “animal” is a “term of abuse.”
Common language on fauna betrays an “anthropocentric bias” and impedes an understanding of our interaction…
I do think language matters, and I’m down with dropping “owner” in favor of “caretaker,” (or “housemate,” as Maru refers to his human counterpart).
But I think it’s a shame these ethicists are humansplaining on behalf of other animals, instead of respecting how they self-identify.
For example the Feline community has long been on record with their position that humans should be referred to as “Where Food Comes From,” and the proper and respectful terminology for cats is “The One You Give The Food To, And By The Way Where’s My Food”.
Jay’s right except obviously Cats refer to Human as “The Staff”.
Reblogged from jsmooth995 with 116 notes
i bet those animals are just so fucking mad when they get called like, pet and wildlife and shit. oh wait.
I was making tuna casserole last night, and was opening pop-top cans of cream of mushroom soup in the breakfast nook...
i love JSmooth. for realz. for the record, bunnies refer to humans in the same way.
HILARITY. I’m guessing PETA fans don’t read this as satire. And yes, I HAVE seen PETA literature/websites/propaganda...
In our house the correct term for cats is “Lord and Master,” regardless that particular cat’s gender. Also, the correct...
Jay’s right except obviously Cats refer to Human as “The Staff”.