• restless [she/her]@hexbear.net
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    18 days ago

    As the core of veganism is consent, there are several elements to consider:

    1. Consent of the substance’s sentient source: The coffee bean seems more than willing to give this up… almost too willing. I don’t think there’s a direct issue here, but definitely warrants further consideration when other parties are involved.
    2. Consent of the substance’s consumers: neither Mordecai nor Rigby seem to want what’s going on. While Rigby signed the contract, and could be held to its terms under ideal circumstances, it’s a rather predatory situation since it’s presented in a language he doesn’t understand. Mordecai didn’t sign anything, did not consent even on paper, and is a complete victim here.
    3. While mostly related to point #2, contracts are often wielded as a tool of the powerful against the weak, and in an inequitable exchange ends up being little more than a justification to continue a coercive arrangement one party would back out of if given the choice.

    So I’d say while the events depicted are not vegan, but the coffee itself as a substance is most likely vegan. It’s a little hard to say for certain without more context tho, for instance if the bean is also coerced to act this way by outside forces.

    • NSRXN@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      18 days ago

      the core of veganism is consent

      consent doesn’t appear anywhere in the vegan society definition of veganism. it’s only about exploitation of animals.

        • NSRXN@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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          18 days ago

          no synonym for it appears. I suppose most vegans interpret it in the penumbra, but it’s not a core facet

          • dat_math [they/them]@hexbear.net
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            18 days ago

            I disagree. If we take the rejection of all exploitation of animals as a core facet, which the vegan society does in their definition (aside: am I missing something about why they get to be the arbiters of the unique definition of veganism?):

            “Veganism is a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude—as far as is possible and practicable—all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of animals, humans and the environment. In dietary terms it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals.”

            and consider that humans are animals who can consent to actions that would be exploitative in other contexts, especially without consent (e.g., solving geometry problems, listening to or performing music, creative writing, hiking), we see consent emerge. We don’t think about it in decisions with respect to non-human animals because they can’t consent.