Paws for thought
Paws for thought
Never shy to point out the absurdities of life – in particular as they relate to the communications industry or the health and care sector – this has been something of a bumper week. Especially for veganism:
After years of being vilified as full of sugar and salt, beans on toast have been declared good for you according to the British Nutrition Foundation – albeit as part of a balanced diet, and with the caveat that the Heinz variety may not strictly adhere to pure vegan principles.
There’s an adage that all publicity is good publicity – in which case People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) will be rubbing their hands with glee at the coverage their latest poster received in the national media.
The advertising billboard at the centre of the story uses new printing technology which means that depending on where you stand, the picture shows a fishmonger cradling either a large Haddock or, with a step to one side, a dead cat.
The copy reads, Sea Things Differently – respect all life. Go vegan.
An added barb is that the ad was displayed in Cleethorpes near Grimsby – a town somewhat dependent on the continued patronage of the nation’s pescatarians.
The story set most of the national newspapers huffing and puffing about the outrageous suggestion that eating fish is akin to eating Tibbles. But, whatever your view on veganism, speciesism, Peta or, or indeed of the billboard, it’s a great example of clever use of lenticular technology, hard hitting copy and some well-earned media.
Peta members will be glad to note that vegan fare was also on the menu at the Füde Breathwork Experience in New York. The purpose of the Füde experience is to help people connect with their ‘most pure, authentic selves’.
But, as they say in Grimsby, there is a catch – you dine naked with 40 other people. The $44 to $88 gig includes guided breathing exercises and a vegan dinner. The real shocker here of course is the price. That’s the cheapest dinner in eye-wateringly expensive New York by quite some way. They’re probably using baked beans to keep the costs down.
Finally, one has to hope the combination of breathing exercises and a hearty vegan feast will not induce the naked New Yorkers to have a little sleep.
Recent research among 3,000 Spanish residents of Murcia has shown that long siesta-takers had a higher body mass index and more chronic health issues. One honestly has to question the cause and effect here. Wouldn’t those with a higher BMI and chronic conditions take more time to doze rather than the dozing being the cause of their ailments?
Anyway, Peta will no doubt be further heartened that the research referred to a siesta and not a catnap.
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