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See
also this longer interview.
What do you feel are the most successful forms
of activism and spreading the message to people about
veganism?
Anything that gets thorough information to people
in such a way that they can "digest" it
at their own pace and on their own terms. We don't
want to "Win an argument with a meat-eater."
As Dale Carnegie says in his book How to Win Friends
and Influence People, "The only way to win
an argument is to avoid it."
The information must be compelling to the extent
that it can overcome habit, peer-pressure, convenience,
etc. Additionally, the information must be delivered
in a way that will not make people skeptical. In other
words: If a person can dismiss even one sentence as
"propaganda,"
they can use it as a psychological wedge to ignore
the entire message.
 Finally:
our goal isn't to have people simply stop eating animals
for only a brief period. We need people to stay
vegetarian. From honest
nutritional information to addressing issues
of convenience, stemming the tide of failed vegetarians
is vital.
Do you feel the vegetarian/animal rights movement
is moving in a positive or negative direction?
This is a complicated question that can't really
be addressed in this space without resorting to simplifications
and stereotypes.
To some extent, I think one could distinguish between
the "vegetarian" and the "animal rights"
movements. About six years ago, I was interviewed
regarding the former, and I said that I didn't think
there was a vegetarian movement -- just a lot
of standing around. I think there is some movement
now, but, unfortunately, this has brought along with
it people trying to "out-pure" one another.
Often, vegetarian gatherings and conferences are reduced
to the raw foodists and the ingredientists
(those seeking ever more connections to animal products
in apparently vegan foods and products) trying to
outdo each other. And then there are the vegans who
consider non-vegan vegetarians 'the enemy.'
I think the more interesting developments have been
on the animal rights/ liberation side of things. Of
course, I may be wrong, but it seems to me that the
animal advocacy movement has started to realize that
99% of the animals killed in the U.S. die to be eaten.
The annual
increase in the number of land
animals factory farmed each year has been greater
than the total number of animals killed in laboratories,
for fur, and in shelters -- combined.
Although the numbers are numbing, and advocacy on
the issue more complicated, more and more activists
are realizing that the suffering of these farmed animals
-- especially birds and pigs -- rivals that of any
other animal. I think it is possible that 2001-2002
will be recognized as when the U.S. animal rights
movement shifted its focus to farmed animals. Professor
Singer's keynote at AR2002 is a good example.
Do you feel vegetarianism is gaining more popularity?
In one respect, sure. I think more young people are
vegetarian than ever. But I fear that the number of
older people staying veg is not changing. Despite
the much greater visibility and convenience of vegetarianism
and veganism, it would almost appear that it is difficult
(but not impossible) to be a mainstream middle-aged
vegetarian. One either reverts to a more standard
diet, or one tends to marginalize themselves. Luckily,
Vegan Outreach has a great core of members of all
ages who are dedicated to alleviating and reducing
suffering through positive, constructive outreach.
What does the future hold?
I'm afraid that the near-term holds more of the same,
with moralizing vegans defending their religion /
superiority against the impure -- the impure being
anyone not as "vegan" as they. For example,
I got the following message recently: "I consider
you a traitor to our cause. Your theories and rationalizations
are ridiculous. You claim to be a proponent of veganism,
but you never fail to criticize veganism. You attack
those elements of the Animal Rights movement who actually
have courage, something you lack completely. One day,
we will all account for our lives. I pity you on that
day."
On the other hand, I am encouraged by all the selfless,
dedicated people who are working to make the animals'
case. More people are realizing that we aren't going
to chant and scream animal liberation into existence.
Do you believe that one day we will all be vegans?
 Humanity
will one day view killing animals as we currently
view human slavery. A mixture of ethics, economics,
and technology will bring this about. When this will
happen -- I wouldn't even hazard a guess. Looking
at the failures of many who have tried to predict
the future is very humbling.
What are some of the most recent achievements
of Vegan Outreach?
I believe that our new
Vegan Starter Pack makes an excellent case for
practicing the type of "veganism" that will
succeed in spreading a vegan ethic to more than a
handful of people.
The new
version of Why Vegan will be, I'm sure,
a more effective advocacy tool. Many vegans may not
like it because we cut a number of sections from it.
But from a marketing / psychological perspective,
throwing everything pro-veg into a booklet is a recipe
for confusion and unreadability.
What types of arguments or points do you suggest
bringing up when talking to a person about veganism
for the first time?
Don't argue. Offer information, and be honest and
humble. Read How to Win Friends and Influence People
(or at least the excerpts we’ve included in Vegan
Spam over the last few months).
What types of things do you suggest NOT be done
when reaching out to people or doing activism?
Don't be self-righteous. No one is perfect, no one
has all the answers.
Is there any reason whatsoever to eat meat?
Meat isn't the issue. It isn't "evil" or
"wrong" or "poison."
Similarly, veganism is not nirvana. It is not "good"
-- it is only a tool, one tool among many, by which
to reduce suffering.
The suffering of animals that become meat
is the bottom line.
Any final comments or suggestions for those helping
to spread the word about veganism?
Be joyous
and have humility. Be an example of a life that others
would admire and be interested in understanding
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Reprint
of an Interview with Matt Ball