Happened across and interesting post by Cordain

Dragonwolf

Something that always bugs me on the main forums (and elsewhere) is the handful of people that insist that we're not meant to eat meat, because Australopithecus supposedly didn't do so (never mind the couple million years and handful of species between us and "Lucy"), and the associated arguments of things like how our GI tract isn't exactly like a carnivores, so therefore we must be herbivores (again, never mind the fact that our guts are also quite dissimilar from our herbivorous relatives, as well).

I happened across Dr. Cordain's rebuttal to the media's interpretation of some papers published in the National Academy of Sciences, which addresses the above assumptions, including GI tract characteristics, salivary chemical makeup, and the connections with other archaeological evidence (stone tools, etc).

It's kind of heavy in the science terminology, but an interesting read nonetheless. Figured I'd share. http://thepaleodiet.com/rebuttal-to-the-proceedings-of-the-national-academy-of-sciences-june-2013-papers-early-edition/

Akimajuktuq

The argument that we are supposed to be herbivores is just illogical. I don't argue with those people. The thing that set us apart from other apes is precisely because we started eating meat, and more importantly, fat. It's our preference for all things fat, of which the best sources are animals, that faciliated the development of the brains that enabled us to become as we are now. Unfortunately, due to current dietary practices and the intententional contamination of our environment, many of us are regressing to less brain development and far more health problems than our species has ever experienced in all of our history. It doesn't bode well for long term survival.

Thank you for sharing that article. The notion (and published!) that we became as we are (huge brains, complex problem solvers) subsisting on mainly sedges and grasses is so ridiculous that I don't know whether to laugh or cry. Even just looking at animal behaviour now, the most complex strategies and ability to problem solve rests among carnivores and omnivores.

ortega1990

Though I have complete respect for cultures that are vegetarian, i.e. I have some Indian friends (from India) that are vegetarians by culture - I respect that and wouldn't encourage them to eat meat by any means.

I have friends, however that are vegetarians by choice... raw vegan to boot - yikes! I can't eat that way. Kudos, you are eating whole raw veggies, but I need meat!

Akimajuktuq

Though I have complete respect for cultures that are vegetarian, i.e. I have some Indian friends (from India) that are vegetarians by culture - I respect that and wouldn't encourage them to eat meat by any means.

I have friends, however that are vegetarians by choice... raw vegan to boot - yikes! I can't eat that way. Kudos, you are eating whole raw veggies, but I need meat!

I would never tell others to eat meat of course. However, the cultures that are vegetarian have likely developed that way in the last few thousand years, which is a drop in the bucket evolutionarily speaking. I can respect their choice, but I would not believe for a minute that their ancient ancestors also avoided meat.

I wouldn't say "kudos" to the people who choose to be vegan because it's not unethical at all to eat meat (that's grassfed or wild) but I very much think it's unethical to raise children on a vegan diet or to choose a lifestyle that costs other people money (healthcare coverage). Choosing to destroy one's health (it is my opinion that veganism is NOT healthy, for anyone) based on fallacies and a misunderstanding of the nutrient cycle isn't something I respect at all. Plants also have complex behaviour and awareness and soil organisms are the most important life on this planet; why are they conveniently ignored? Just big, cute, and/or furry animals seem to matter to vegans.