In regards to eating meat

[Monica]

- Anyone making use of the scientific method is a scientist.

Yet, scientists frequently disagree with one another. And a single person interpreting data, might not consider all the data. In addition, the way the data is presented, can skew the interpretation.

For example, the drug industry shows a graph of the decline in infectious diseases after vaccines were introduced, to 'prove' that vaccines were effective. BUT, they are only showing part of the graph. If one stands back and looks at the whole graph, they will see that the diseases like polio were already declining before vaccines were introduced! so the decline meant nothing; it was just a continuation of what had already been happening.

This is just a simple example of how, just because one appears to be using the scientific method, does not mean their interpretations are accurate.

In addition, even if she is using the scientific method, she might not have access to all the data. Also, just being a raw vegan doesn't negate the possibility that she may be biased. A good example of that is Fred Patanaude, a popular raw vegan 'guru' who fancies himself qualified to analyze scientific studies. I can't tell you how many times I've been incredulous at how he conveniently cherry-picks bits of data, to drive home his biased point, then ends the discussion as soon as anyone points out his error.

It is itself a bias, to trust a source just because they seem to be on our 'side' of the debate.

I don't begrudge her being self-taught. I am self-taught too, but I would never claim to be qualified to analyze a study of such magnitude. I also contend that there are flaws in her logic, so I didn't find her speculations compelling at all.

In this context and from what you have said, I believe that a metaphysical and/or philosophical discussion would probably be more useful regarding meat eating.

If you're saying you don't want to debate The China Study, that's fine with me! I don't want to debate it either. But I will continue to recommend it, as something worthy of investigation, to anyone who is interested in that sort of thing. They can then research it on their own and decide for themselves. It doesn't matter to me, since I don't need any scientific study to tell me anything about meat eating.

I ate raw vegetables and beans exclusively for a few weeks. Including salads with olive oil and other "good" fats. I experienced clearer thinking and more energy. But I was unbelievably hungry the whole time. No matter how much of it I ate.

Oh, no wonder! Sounds like you weren't getting nearly enough calories! To be healthy, raw vegans actually eat a LOT of food, including lots of fruits, nuts and seeds.

Were you eating sprouted beans? Since they aren't edible raw...

New raw vegans are often shocked at how much food they eat. Raw foods digest very rapidly - think of it as jet fuel - so raw vegans actually eat a lot more volume of food.

So a very common reason people quit is that they were too hungry, because they just weren't eating enough.

Check this out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbEUHCU_G...re=related

That is actually what gave me a nudge toward my awakening. Because I thought that what was happening to me was very improbable, if not impossible, from a scientific point of view.

Cool! But what was impossible/improbable? Your awakening?

I feel understood.