Ignorance is Bliss

Once you know something, you can't pretend that you don't.? I pretty much feel the same way - I feel bad I eat animals, but if I didn't I really wouldn't eat anything at all.? Also, my freshman year college roommate was a vegan, so I'll always have a negative association with veganism, because she was such a bitch.? But I digress...
what you can do is eat less meat, if you don't want to give it up all together.? You don't have to totally give up something you enjoy to make an impact.

Regarding the lobsters, if you increase the water gradually, you can boil them humanely.? I'm not convinced they don't feel pain, because no matter what any scientist says, you never know.? Maybe they just never discovered what their pain mechanisms are.? But boiling them gradually should take care of that.

As far as ignorance is bliss, sure, it's true, but would you really want to live like that??? Being oblivious to suffering around you just so you didn't have to feel bad or do something about it? I'm not saying "you" personally, I'm saying that to everyone.? And I certainly understand it -- I've said so many times, "I just wish I didn't know about this!" (like when I found out my ex just got married last Saturday!).? But you can't always ignore it and it will go away.? One of my friends has never had an HIV test, and despite my insistence, she won't go.? She said she just wouldn't want to know.? But she would continue to have unprotected sex because in her mind, if she didn't know she wouldn't be responsible.? The point is hardship and suffering will still continue around you, even if you chose to stick your head in the sand.? You could be happy for a while but it wouldn't be real. The goal should be to be happy AND aware.

But... I too have seen the chickens in the crates on the freeway.? It's heart breaking.?