THE DISCERNING BRUTE on Clubhouse

Description

I'm Joshua Katcher. I started THE DISCERNING BRUTE, the world's first men's vegan lifestyle website, over 13 years ago.

Veganism need not be gendered - but for many, veganism is still perceived as an anemic regimen and a sacrifice of power and pleasure. We live in a culture that tends to excuse, celebrate and reward many forms of brutality, and tends to ridicule, shame and punish gentleness and compassion, including veganism.

Many tenets of mainstream-masculinity form a roadblock to a more compassionate and sustainable world. Empathy, kindness and caring about animals, ecosystems, other people, and even our own wellness are often relegated to the stereotype of sentimentality and weakness.

The perception of veganism in terms of masculinity has changed a lot since 2008, but we've still got work to do. Let’s use this space to discuss, explore, critique and revise masculinity and challenge our notions of aspiration and what it means to "be a man" today. Ultimately, THE DISCERNING BRUTE is a tool for anyone, not just the strictly-masculine among us, who wants to live an ethical, enjoyable life.