I also think about this a lot. I think that after racism, sexism, ageism,… Speciesism will be another frontier that will transition us from considering entire classes of beings as being inferior, dangerous, disgusting, etc.. to mostly equal and equally worthy of life and protection, to the point of rendering the old ways of thinking into seeming barely believable.
There are many parallels between how we think about other species today and how we used to think about other races of humans in the past. Many myths about other races, sexes, etc. that are now both sad and laughable to think about parallel, the myths we still carry about other species.
For example, the rats’ role in spreading disease is now under question. I, personally, have been questioning it for a while, simply from knowing that almost any commercial kitchen has rats and/or mice present, yet not seeing any major disease outbreaks happening that can be attributed to it
From an urban farming perspective rats can be quite devastating to domestic animals. My partner keeps racing pigeons and we've seen rats take pidgeons down for food. I love rats, they have amazing personalities, but I don't love if they prey on my livestock and pets!
There are many parallels between how we think about other species today and how we used to think about other races of humans in the past. Many myths about other races, sexes, etc. that are now both sad and laughable to think about parallel, the myths we still carry about other species.
For example, the rats’ role in spreading disease is now under question. I, personally, have been questioning it for a while, simply from knowing that almost any commercial kitchen has rats and/or mice present, yet not seeing any major disease outbreaks happening that can be attributed to it