Whoa! I just watched the film, "Earthlings" and it has completely altered my life; I cannot stop thinking about it. I've been searching the "rabbit hole" that is these VeggieBoards and can't find the person who had mentioned the film in their post. But I want to say, "Thank You!"
I have some struggle at times with whether vegetarianism is right for me. But now I know, deep deep down, where it really matters, that it is. In fact, I was lacto ovo, and now, when I think about eating something with dairy or eggs, I have an image in my head of the suffering of these creatures.
But what I really liked about the film is that, it doesn't just get "right in there" like "Meet Your Meat" (I did a bit of comparison-- couldn't watch anymore, though). It begins with describing that animals are "other nations," instead of being separate, lesser-than species. And that perhaps, it is us humans that lack a sort of consciousness that the animals have. That's in a nutshell of what I liked about the beginning. I really should watch it again. Also, that each creature is aware of its life-- each creature is the center of its own universe. THAT is what really got me.
It made me feel so bad to see what was happening to these beings. All, despite the fact that they are living in horrible conditions, have a sort of grace to them (I can't quite describe it any better), and it is the humans who are degrading them that are the real filthy ones. I could get really metaphysical here, but I think you get my drift...
Anyway, I just wanted to say that I can't stop thinking about the film. I think it should be watched. If anyone wants to start a discussion about any part of it, I'd be interested to read your thoughts.