In regards to eating meat

[Monica]

Really? She implied that I'd feel nothing if I killed a human. She said I think of animals and trees as things.

Only Diana knows exactly what she intended to convey, but that's not how I perceived her words at all! In fact, I perceived them as quite the opposite: She knew that of course you would feel emotion if you ever killed a human! so, I'm pretty sure, she was trying to point that out, and was curious whether you truly felt no emotion when killing an animal.

Which is exactly what I thought too, based on your words. When you said "an apter analogy was killing a tree" because it was physically more demanding, that was leaving out any emotional component.

Diana and I both were surprised at that, so we both asked you for clarification, and you gave it. No implication was intended! They were just honest questions, seeking to understand you better.

I would have found it surprising, but I am learning that I can't assume anything about what another person feels or doesn't feel. (I learned that in this thread.)

Ironic, because she thought I wasn't emotional. I'm feeling plenty of emotion at the moment...

It's difficult to convey one's true thoughts in an internet forum, because we lack tone of voice, facial expressions, etc. I invite you to consider how your words might have been perceived, taken alone, at face value. I too wondered whether you felt any emotion when killing a cow, because your words, at that point, didn't indicate any emotion.

This is why I am asking for clarification - to better understand you. Thank you for working with us towards better understanding!