I subscribe to a channel called “Mr. Ballen” on Youtube where he basically narrates stories that are often horrific and relating to murder, rape, torture, etc.
But today he posted a video that was about a circus animal in the early 1900s that killed its handler, and was subsequently put down in a public fashion (hanged)… and people in the comments absolutely FLIPPED, and even got angry to the point that they say they “lost respect” for Mr. Ballen for not putting a “trigger warning” because animal abuse is apparently soooo much worse than everything else he’s posted about. Comments are also sprinkled with nihilism and “I hate people” as if people don’t treat animals WAY BETTER than any other animal treats themselves or other species.
Here are some examples of the outlandishly bleeding-heart comments
I’ve noticed this more and more in modern society, where people hate humanity but have an unhealthy obsession with both their pets and any other wild animals. These animals will never think, love, reflect, invent, talk back to you, and yet you value them over your own fellow man.
Is this a symptom of Clown World or am I looking too deeply into it??
One thing to also take note of is that in the story Mr. Ballen told, the general 1900s audience actually got mad at the ELEPHANT, and wanted it killed. Today, it’s the total opposite.
I would temper this take. Yes, some people are fucking crazy. I've volunteered at local animal shelters, and I've donated to a local wildlife rescue organization (and used them several times when I found some abandoned baby bunnies, a wounded songbird, etc.). I also am a big meat eater, but I try to buy meat from local farmers where I know the conditions are reasonable, and the slaughter was humane. I'm just saying, there can be a balance, and you can love animal life while also being a meat eater.
Man's bonds to his animals are ancient and deep. Think about Odysseus and his dog Argos, who remained faithful to his master for all those years of absence, dying happy knowing that his master made it home. Think about Alexander the Great and his war horse, Bucephalus, who was loyal to Alexander throughout countless battles. Alexander named a city after Bucephalus when he died.
Don't disparage the connection between man and beast.