George Orwell once wrote in his book Animal Farm: "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others".
This is what came to mind when Edgeworth's Gary Lawless told Topics about having read a news article about the latest plea from PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals).
PETA said on Twitter that: "Words can create a more inclusive world, or perpetuate oppression. Calling someone an animal as an insult reinforces the myth that humans are superior to other animals and justified in violating them. Stand up for justice by rejecting supremacist language."
Under the headline "Speciesism", PETA suggested people should say coward instead of chicken, snitch instead of rat, jerk instead of snake, repulsive instead of pig, and lazy instead of sloth.
Gary said he wasn't aware that the word "speciesism" existed, let alone what it meant.
"However, upon looking it up, I found the following definition of the word: 'Human assumption of superiority, and the belief that the human race is superior to other species, and that exploitation of animals for the advantage of humans is justified'."
Gary said this cleared things up for him.
"Now I know why my old horse rolled his eyes and shook his head at me every time I called him a nasty name, or I threatened him with the glue factory over some behavioural misdemeanour," quipped Gary.
"It also shows why my dog looks at me in a particularly disdainful way when I chase her off the lounge. It is clear to me now that I was practising speciesism."
Gary did point out that swapping the word jerk for snake would make the phrase "snake in the grass" sound "a little weird".
He wonders - with tongue in cheek - whether PETA's suggestions are aimed at preventing animals "feeling hurt by the slur on their character".
Gary reckons the animals would be outraged if they knew that their "well-earned names were being substituted with something that denigrates their natural character and behaviour".
"For instance, I have never known a cowardly rooster. They can be downright aggressive when defending the hen house from a perceived or actual threat.
"I am sure that Mr Rooster would object in the strongest terms to being called a coward. Similarly, if I was a pig, I would strongly object to being called repulsive. Mind you, I would still roll around in the filthy mud and stink up the place."
If PETA persists with this line of argument, Gary can foresee "an animal revolt in the near future, where beasts from the barnyard, zoos, pastures, and wilds of the jungle and plain all rise up to defend their good name".
"And if that happens, we may all be forced to become vegetarians."
'Cure' for the Common Cold
Topics was delighted to hear a Hunter researcher has found that a new drug works against the common cold. [see page 6]
Associate Professor Nathan Bartlett, a Hunter Medical Research Institute researcher, said a nasal spray named INNA-X showed "great promise as a new way to protect people from diseases caused by common respiratory viruses such as rhinovirus".
These diseases range from the common cold to "potentially life-threatening exacerbations of chronic respiratory diseases".
Could the long search for a cure to the common cold be over? The drug has also shown promise in protecting against COVID-19 in the throats of ferrets. [Just don't call another a person a ferret]
But what about man flu?
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