I became a vegan three years ago, and to date, the only thing that has made it truly unpleasant is the feeling of alienation it sometimes inspires: non-vegans don't "get it" and the lifestyle choices I am (rationally) required to make as a vegan highlight my status as an outsider. With regards to veganism, this usually only shows up in cultural exchanges involving food (e.g. going out to dinner, potluck, etc.) but many other activities become socially problematic the more conscientious attitudes you adopt. Feeling morally compelled not purchase sweatshop goods may leave you with soley "unfashionable" options in your community and something as simple as dress can then signify outsider status to those you meet.
This is not to say that I'm urging conformity with what are obviously very peculiar and unnecessary cultural phenomena. My goal is simple. I am a normal person, who simply realizes that moral constraints exist on my behavior. I'm not a hippy, and I don't want to be treated like one because my consumption choices force me to look like one. I want to be able to hang out with and, most importantly, be taken seriously by, other normal people. The best way to encourage thoughtful living is to demonstrate to others that it can be done without giving up everything, or at very least without giving up the comfortable blankie of peer acceptance.
This blog will be a catalogue of the tricks I discover for leading a fun, healthy, normal, and morally conscientious life. I will focus on things like free entertainment, cheap vegan eating, and anything else I can think of. The items I post will focus on minimal consumption and contribution to unsavory enterprises. If you have ideas, e-mail me and I will post them with credit.
