Posts by Rachel Martinez11

Jason Sanchez3 said:We had our share of issues, and I fought so hard to make things work again. But I spent so much time constantly opening up and then slamming the door shut just to protect myself from getting hurt... now that things have finally settled down, the sheer amount of shock and stress has just left me feeling completely numb. Everything feels hollow.

That’s what people call total disorientation. It’s a heavy fog, but eventually, it clears.

darkrider96 said:In my circle, everyone who grew up eating meat ended up enrolling in college—except for this one vegetarian kid, haha.

Only one? Honestly, maybe he’s just the exception that proves the rule. Or maybe he wasn't always plant-based. For all we know, he grew up on steak just like I did, which might explain why he and I share the same level of intellect. After all, the original post was specifically about the children of vegetarians—those kids who were raised without any meat on their plates at all.

restlesscobra132 said:Sometimes I feel like the society I belong to is just a herd being raised by someone who intends to feed on them.

I’d be lying if I claimed I wasn't a product of this system myself. It’s shaped me just as much as anyone else who was forced into its orbit by mere circumstance. From the moment we're born, people start washing our brains with all sorts of doctrines—nonsense that defies logic and flies in the face of common sense. But these programs take deep root because they're implanted so early on. Then, every single day, we're surrounded by other indoctrinated souls and a media machine that focuses almost exclusively on trivial, mindless distractions—stuff like >—serving up absolute garbage as if it were the gold standard for living. People really are sheep, though I don't blame them for it. Most are easily manipulated, while a vocal minority dictates what everyone else should think. The end result? Blood up to your knees. And I'm not just talking about humans; animals suffer just as much.

briskcrane642 said:Vegetarians don't live as long as everyone else. Nature doesn't just swap out meat for something else; people are just lying to you about how it works. Vegetarianism is nothing more than a passing fad.

I used to be convinced of the exact opposite, but facing the sheer abundance and undeniable weight of your logic, I've been left speechless. I surrender. Just give me two words to settle it. No vegetarian could ever hope to fight against evidence this overwhelming.

crimsonhound80 said:I get that, but your post keeps pushing this idea that simply by cutting out meat, someone somehow evolves into a better, more advanced version of themselves.
That’s my point right there. It always seems to boil down to this assumption that people who don't eat meat are somehow intellectually superior, more "awake" to society, or more in tune with nature than everyone else.

It feels like we're talking past each other. I was just trying to point out how much our environment and social circles shape our thoughts and perspectives. And let's be honest, those influences aren't always the healthiest—take smoking, for example. I don't smoke, but that doesn't mean I've reached some higher stage of evolution, nor does it make me a better person than a smoker, a Canadian, or someone who loves a steak. For what it's worth, I happen to prefer women over men, but that isn't an attempt to impose my lifestyle on anyone, nor should a gay man feel insulted or pressured by my views; he could easily be a hundred times better human being than I am.

crimsonhound80 said:Personally, I’d happily eat Milton's meal, but at the same time, I'd probably grab yours too since it looks just as good. 😬 😬

Sure, but you—just like everyone else—are more or less a product of the society you inhabit. Society exerts both direct and indirect pressure on how an individual thinks. The culture we live in, through the media and sheer cognitive inertia, convinces us that there's nothing wrong with slaughtering animals just to put them on a plate. I am convinced that if I had lived in a society where, say, farming certain ethnic groups was considered socially acceptable and even desirable, I would have spent a good portion of my life as a cannibal (much like I used to be a carnivore).

Dennis Nguyen78 said:for instance, I really appreciate how Kosher Jewish food is prepared—it's incredibly pure, and when it comes to animal products, they ensure the animals are slaughtered as painlessly as humanly possible...

Wouldn't you be better off just grabbing a mushroom and corn pizza instead of eating an animal, regardless of how "humane" the slaughter was? Or maybe just sticking to some pasta with tomato sauce, parmesan, and olives.

restlesscobra132 said:Yeah, it would be great if animals weren't raised just to be slaughtered. Actually, it would be great if we didn't raise them at all.

I hear you. That’s the exact knot I can’t seem to untie myself. Personally, I’m convinced a total shift is actually doable. The problem—as it is with almost any massive societal pivot—is that you need massive capital investment and actual political willpower to shift the needle of public opinion. But just think about the sheer potential if the billions currently being funneled into Big Ag were redirected toward plant-based R&D and lab-grown alternatives. Right now, the meat industry is heavily propped up by federal subsidies and a deep-seated political establishment that, make no mistake, will fight tooth and nail to prevent anyone from replacing them.

crimsonhound80 said:I have zero interest in going vegetarian. I used to know two women—one was strictly vegan and the other followed a macrobiotic diet—and both passed away from cancer a few years back, one from breast cancer and the other from ovarian.

For me, skipping meat is purely about my own conscience. That doesn't mean anyone eating a steak is automatically a bad person, though. I don't actually run in many vegetarian circles—truth be told, I don't personally know a single vegetarian—but I’ve known plenty of people who struggled with, or eventually succumbed to, cancer or cardiovascular disease regardless of their diet. Whether those outcomes serve as any kind of reliable indicator for the health of vegetarians versus meat-eaters is something I'm not convinced by. It's all a bit too anecdotal for me.

restlesscobra132 said:Vegetarians have it easy 👍 , but what about those of us who give up meat only to suffer every time we catch the divine scent of a roast? 😬 Who’s going to sympathize with us? 🤣

I have to admit, I went through the exact same thing during my first attempt at cutting out meat about six or seven years ago. It was strange—even when I was completely full, just catching the smell of something roasting would trigger this massive craving for meat. I even dealt with bouts of physical weakness. On my second attempt, I made sure to incorporate two staples into my diet: seitan and mushroom and corn pizza. Sure, there are endless vegetarian recipes out there, but those are the ones that actually hit the spot for me. Since then, the cravings and the fatigue have vanished. I’m sitting at about 205 lbs at 5'10" (not exactly overweight), and honestly, I don't feel any smarter or slower just because I stopped eating meat, but I certainly enjoy my food more and generally feel better overall.

Donna Campbell6 said:And when it comes to those absolute smokeshows who don't get any attention, it’s usually just a guy making a calculated executive decision. It’s that internal monologue: "Yeah, I don't stand a chance there anyway," or maybe, "Why bother? She clearly thinks she's too good for everyone." 😉

So, I guess that’s the secret behind my irresistible charm...

A little clarification to clear up the whole protein debate:

It seems proteins are the primary bogeyman people conjure up when they contemplate going vegetarian. You see anxious parents fretting, asking, “But what about the protein?” as if it were some rare, elusive element right behind diamonds on the list of nature's hardest things to find. Honestly, you don't need to lose sleep over a protein deficiency. In fact, you’re statistically more likely to be trampled by a stampede of wild horses on Fifth Avenue than you are to run into a vegetarian suffering from a lack of protein.

Proteins matter, sure—they help build the body, repair tissue, and fight off infections. The good news is that they are tucked away in almost everything we eat, including fruits and vegetables. Legumes are really the heavy lifters here. We're talking chickpeas, lentils, and the whole pea family—beans, fava beans, even split peas. When it comes to sheer versatility, soy is the king; it’s the backbone of countless vegetarian staples like tofu, veggie burgers, veggie sausages, soy milk, and even something called TVP—textured vegetable protein—which actually isn't quite as unappetizing as the name implies. You'll also find plenty of protein in farm-fresh eggs, cheeses, nuts, seeds, and even in rice and pasta.

Proteins are made up of various amino acids. Certain foods, like soy products, milk, cheese, and meat, are "complete" because they contain all the essential amino acids. Other foods only provide a subset. But if you simply vary your diet within a vegetarian or vegan framework, those different amino acids will combine to give you—bingo!—complete protein. This isn't just guesswork; it's a principle backed by every major nutritional organization in the world. And no, you don't even have to eat them all in a single sitting; the human body is smart enough to store amino acids until they're needed.

Back in 1995, the U.S. government released dietary guidelines specifically noting that vegetarians can easily meet all their protein requirements through their diet. Even the American Medical Association, one of the most respected medical institutions globally, stated the exact same thing years before that. They were absolutely right, too, because there hasn't been a single documented case of protein deficiency caused by a vegetarian or vegan diet. So, I'm telling you, stop worrying.

Quote from the book by Juliet Gellatley, "How to Become, Be, and Remain a Vegetarian."

tince said:I’m wondering if there’s any actual reason why some girls or women—myself included—seem to have this knack for attracting people who aren't exactly top-tier. Does it mean there's something wrong with me? I constantly find myself being approached by all sorts of guys who just aren't great... men with massive complexes, frustrated types, awkward personalities, or just generally questionable characters. Is there something fundamentally broken in me?

I hear you. Honestly, look at me. I’m a frustrated guy with enough complexes to fill a stadium, my personality is pretty questionable, I’ve got bad breath to boot, and let's just say my looks are nothing to write home about. And yet, I somehow exclusively attract stunning women with Ivy League degrees... I honestly can't figure out where I'm going wrong here...

stik said:How does one actually find true meaning in life?

I’ve always maintained that any individual with even a modicum of intellectual or emotional depth is going to end up asking this question sooner or later. Personally, I don't think you'll find the answer in psychology; you have to look toward religion—though not necessarily one you're familiar with. Even if everything in your life seems to be going perfectly, without some sort of higher purpose, existence is just... existing. To me, that feels like nothing more than emptiness and futility. Losing sight of purpose, or never finding it at all, is a dangerous place to be.

burnt out said:So, I'm curious—do attractive people, regardless of gender, find it easier to land jobs, hit their goals, and just navigate life more smoothly?

Honestly? I’ve thought about skipping the cover letters and my CV entirely and just sending over my profile picture instead. I'd probably be flooded with job offers and marriage proposals by lunchtime. It’s almost ridiculous; even the local Jehovah's Witnesses have been known to stop me on the street just to get a word in.

wiredrider2 said:And who exactly are you to think you can judge me? 😉

See, she wouldn't have even asked that if I’d just told her how brilliant, grounded, and attractive she actually is. Regardless, that whole bit about her was nothing more than a joke. In all seriousness, though—I actually find her incredibly sharp, perfectly composed, and quite charming. :-)

wiredrider2 said:Basically, does anyone else ever get the feeling that everyone else is losing their minds and you're the only sane one left? Or am I just actually crazy? 🙂

I remember sitting in a psychiatrist's office once, trying to work through some issues.
The doctor actually tried to comfort me by saying I wasn't the problem—it was just the absolute trash people everywhere else. Then again, looking at your post, you might actually be out of your mind. :-)

redbison65 said:(Or maybe you were just quoting me by accident? It sounded like an invitation to debate, though I couldn't quite pin down the topic since we seem to be on the exact same page)

No, no... that was more of an invitation for coffee.. 😬

redbison65 said:Being stuck in a wheelchair doesn't automatically mean you're enduring constant, agonizing physical pain. It really comes down to your mindset. As long as I can still think, stay functional—which is definitely possible even from a chair—and as long as there’s a glimmer of hope for recovery or rehab, even if it means pushing through intense physical discomfort... yeah, I’d fight tooth and nail to keep living. I’d find my own reason to keep going. But if we're talking about being kept alive by machines, just vegetating like some kind of shell? Then honestly, I’d want them to just pull the plug...

Physical agony isn't the only thing that hurts. Sometimes the psychological toll is actually much worse than anything you feel in your body. In fact, I suspect people are more likely to take their own lives because of mental anguish than because of physical suffering.

If you had to make the call, what would you choose: enduring constant, debilitating pain and suffering—say, being confined to a wheelchair for the rest of your life—or simply facing death?