The first picture that turned up in a Google images search of “meatloaf.” Turns out it’s a vegan meatloaf by Field Roast Grain Meat Co. Go figure.
Mark Bittman, food writer at the NYT, just wrote a column about how to reduce your meat intake. With the rising price of oil directly and indirectly pushing up the price of meat — not to mention the ever-rising tide of health consciousness — it’s a pretty hot topic.
I won’t try to summarize his article. It’s a quick read: The Minimalist: Putting meat back in its place.
I like Bittman’s style. He doesn’t try to convince anyone on the whys. He deliberately avoids politically and emotionally charged issues and instead offers up some practical tips on how to buy, store and prepare food, so that if you want to change your diet, you can. The goal becomes more doable in part because it’s more convenient.
This approach is worth emulating, especially if you’re in a “green” field and have to advocate a position that requires your audience to make changes to old habits. How do you help people to conserve water, take public transportation or recycle more?
I think there’s a lot to be said for avoiding judgment and instead trying to sympathize with your audience. For me, the most persuasive speakers and authors have been the ones who I hear saying, “There’s nothing wrong with you if you struggle with X,” “I struggle with X myself,” and “Here’s what works for me — see if it works for you.” Those kinds of messages leave people intact and non-defensive, which keeps the door open for further discussion.
Hey, if you haven’t seen it, you might enjoy this video of Bittman talk at TED. Again, it’s approachable and not at all condescending.
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