Jacy Reese Anthis

"A big reason for optimism about the end of animal farming is that it doesn't have to be the end of meat."

"The vast majority of people eat animal products not because of how they’re produced, but in spite of it."

"One of the most useful skills advocates can develop is a sincere satisfaction in changing their mind, putting the goal of effectiveness before the goal of having been correct."

"As humanity’s power grows, it will become increasingly important that humanity considers the interests of all sentient beings, not just those who can vote or organize on their own behalf, and that we approach complex social issues like animal farming with the perspective of effective altruism. The moral arc of the universe bends toward justice, but only if people like us take hold."

"A central tenet of the effective altruism mind-set is to stay open-minded and keep an eye out for the so-called Cause X, a new way of doing good that could be even better than your current strategy. Eventually I became convinced that reforming the food system was my Cause X, based on three criteria: its scale, tractability, and neglectedness."

"Many years from now, our descendants will look back on the use of animals for food—particularly the intense animal suffering in factory farms—as a moral atrocity."

"We don’t make a distinction between factory slavery and humane slavery or cruel genocide and painless genocide. We, rightly so, condemn the entire institution."

"Human exploitation of animals is horrific and needs to be stamped out, but we should consider taking action against another considerable source of pain and suffering for wild animals — nature itself."

"The future of the animal rights movement is bright, but it needs PETA to move on from their gimmicks and harmful publicity stunts. If PETA fails to evolve, other advocates need to push ahead, distancing themselves from its gimmicks and forging a new perception of animal rights as an urgent and serious social issue."

"It’s the global food system that’s broken, not just the practices of any one country. A global problem requires a united global effort, and China could easily take the lead."

"Let’s keep in mind not just those beings who won the metaphysical lottery by being born as Homo sapiens, but also those who lie furthest outside our moral circle. They need us the most."