Virtual reality for chickens would simulate a blissful free-range life
“The goal of the project is to raise that question of how do we know what’s best, or what is humane treatment,” designer Austin Stewart tells Ames Tribune, “and also to look at how we treat ourselves. We’re living in these little boxes, just like chickens.” Second Livestock is obviously not the most feasible proposal, but Stewart’s goal is to have people take it seriously and consider their reactions. And even knowing it’s a fake, reading through the fictional company’s website is both humorous and dark: Second Livestock’s proposed treatment of chickens would also include clean spaces, room to move, and an organic diet — better than many actual chickens are treated.
Stewart’s mockup of the Second Livestock’s “Virtual Free Range” simulation.
Perhaps that idea for a virtual environment could be used for people as well. There are many homeless people who would love to have a great place to sleep and live, not to mention better food even if it was only virtual.
Seriously, I am all for humane treatment of people and animals. However, I don’t know if the virtual environment would help the animals left to the horrific cruelty of some people who they meet on their journey to our tables. Those uncaring people who treat animals as if they were not living creatures, creatures who feel pain, get depressed and scared, they are not the ones who will even consider any method of keeping the animals safe, healthy and happy.
Janice