"Edibles can be done, but due to both the mass of edible organics consumed each day and the fact that some people are going to be squicked by eating something that used to be a person, we're not going to be able to replace killing animals for meat the way we've essentially replaced killing elephants for ivory."

"Plus it hurts more to remove in a way that leaves it existing to be eaten, yep. I think there's some people who are very animal rights and do seal meat and stuff so there's less reason to club seals but no way is it ever happening for chicken."

"I can respect someone who has the courage of their convictions to the point of having their flesh harvested to protect animals."

"I think it started as a publicity stunt but didn't stay that way or something? I read the first two thirds of an article on this six months ago, don't quote me."

"Reasonable. I think I'm glad that it's theoretically possible, even if I'm completely disinclined to do it--if I were ever trapped somewhere with a knife but no food source--it's one of those things where I don't ever expect it to come up but still find it soothing to have a contingency."

"If I were trapped with no food source I would grow plants. Remember we can also do plants! Which have no nerves!"

"Oh, yes, that's much better."

"I guess if it were a really long time you might wind up protein deficient? All the plant proteins I can think of need cooking. Oh, no, I'm wrong, I think you don't actually have to cook nuts and we just like them that way."

"I think there might also be protein in avocados but don't quote me on that."

"There's fat in them, I don't know about protein."

"Reasonable--I think I remembered that they're something you ought to eat if you're vegan but hadn't remembered why."

"Ah, gotcha. Have you considered being vegan?"

"Not in a more than casual way."

"It sounds very hard. Vegetarianism would be easier but not easy."

"Yes. I'm not indifferent to the ethical arguments, but...if I were going to do something about animal suffering I suspect it would be more efficient to donate to people who are trying to figure out vat meat or other palatable meat substitutes than to simply abstain myself."

"Can't argue with that."

"I acknowledge that this may well be less true for people who don't have my level of resources."

"Somebody's gotta provide the market demand for the fake meat, too."

"True. Distribution is always an issue."

"When you put it that way it sounds like the problem is with trucking. I think the word you want is something like 'uptake'."

"Ah, yes, thank you."

"You're welcome!"

"Magic is probably a more fun problem to solve anyway."

"I couldn't agree more."

"If I'm going to radically improve the world it might as well be in a way guaranteed not to burn me out."