The point is moooot. (says the cow)

in Proof of Brain3 years ago (edited)

Hey. I was trying to think of a clever title, and I didn't sleep much last night. I thought it was cute. 30 seconds later, I read it again and groaned a bit. But I'm not changing it! It's just a few moooosings of my mind. oh wait, that's a better title. dang it!

Now, onto the cows. (1).png

They're funny creatures. They're massive, and they could knock you around pretty easily, if they wanted to. But - they're eyes are on the side of their heads. And you know what that means.

They are prey.

Our eyes are in front. We are predators.

So if they ever formed a cow mafia - they'd rule the world. or at least the fields. But - they don't. Cuz their eyes are on the side of their heads and they think like prey, not predators.

Yesterday as we were driving home, we passed a CAFO.

If you don't know what they are - that stands for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation. They're pretty nasty. Smell nasty. Look nasty. And all the animals are squished together in some nasty conditions. The US Dept of Agriculture defines a CAFO as "an intense animal feeding operation in which over 1000 animal units are confined for over 45 days a year."

Over 45 days a year, meaning - it could be (and usually is) 365 days a year.

Here is the picture I took while we were driving past.

image.png

If you're not familiar with CAFOs - let me just say, this one is actually not so bad. They have a TON of room, the ground is sloped so run off isn't pooling (so they don't have to stand knee-deep in each other's poop) and there is some shade there (where they are all congregated to escape the 102 degree weather). It's not IDEAL, but - it's kinda like a minimum security prison for cows.

They get their "three meals a day", a yard to mingle, and a bit of space. No freedom - but meh. There are worse places to do their time. If you don't believe me, run an internet image search on CAFOs. There are some "maximum security prisons" where they're all just counting down their days on death row.

In a word - yuck.

Now... this post is a little long, but - I'm having fun letting my mind wander. If you've had enough - thanks for stopping by! Hope you have a beautiful day!

Let's focus a bit on greener pastures.

I love where I live. It is remote, beautiful, and everything that a hermit like myself would love. Best of all, the cows on our mountains are freeeeeeeeee as a bird.

Please take a moment to enjoy our ride home..png

This... is where the happy cows live.

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Look at all the space they have to roam. When I tell you that they have ALL those mountains to roam - wow, they do. And they climb all the way up those mountains! It's hilarious to see these massive animals climbing mountains. Goats? Sure. Deer? Of course! But these massive bovine creatures? hahaha YES. they do. They take FULL advantage of ALL the space they have on their incredibly massive ranches.


Awww! See mommy and baby at the bottom of the shot?

I think it's hilarious that the mountain cows usually look right into the camera and pose for you hehehe.

In the rainy season (which is very, very short in California haha), these mountains are the most beautiful emerald green. Wildflowers pop up everywhere, and the cows are in heaven.

Or.... are they?

So this got me thinking, actually.

I've seen some cow documentaries. Yes. I have. Cuz I like cows, ok? And some say the cows on the CAFOs are really anxious and jittery and scared. They have no social skills and they won't look you in the eye - and all this affects their hormones, and bodies - and therefore, their meat.


Their never-ending playground


Makes sense. When we get stressed, it affects our bodies too. Can make us pretty sick and could logically affect every system in our body, including muscle texture and... taste, I guess? Sorry. Just drawing a logical conclusion.

But my wondering wasn't about really the quality of the meat based on their location and environment.

I wondered...

Does the cow know how good/bad its life is?


I mean -for me? I see cows on the CAFO, and I'm sad.
I'm especially sad because I KNOW how good a cow can have it!

But they don't.

image.png

They are completely unaware of the freedoms that are denied to them, and quite frankly? They don't have to go searching for food, or worry about mountain lions, or find a watering hole. They eat, get fat, eat, get fat, eat, and get fat.

Maybe that's happy enough for them_ (1).png

Kinda made me think of people.

How often do we impose our idea of happiness on others who are blissfully unaware that there is anything different than their own experience? I'm not talking about ignoring suffering. I'm talking about befriending someone that is very content in their world, and then dangling "more" before them without thinking of the consequences.

People and cows are different, of course.
It just made me think, made me question, made me challenge.

Life is a funny thing. We can live in a CAFO, and we can roam free on the mountainside. There's nothing wrong with striving for more, but contentment CAN come despite our situation.

Beef steers go from pasture to plate in about 2 years, and it doesn't matter where they're born. They still end up on a plate, somewhere. Guess I'm just saying - Make the best with what you have, with the time you're given.

But how about something a little lighter for the end of the post?

Have time for a chuckle_ (1).png

I got out of the car to take some final shot and these curious cows are NOT like CAFO cows. They didn't run over to me like puppies, but they did wander over to see what I was all about. I reached down beyond their reach to get some of the long grass that would entice them.

They eventually got VERY close, but wouldn't take the grass from my hand. I would have been shocked if they had, but I wanted to give it a try anyway! haha

After 10 minutes, I stopped tempting them with the grass, and just tossed it close enough for them to eat on their own. Within moments of me turning my back there was a mad dash for the tasty treats I had left. All was not a loss - I did get this cool close-up. Enjoy!🐮

I love cows. Pretty sure the feeling is mooooo-tual. yuk yuk yuk. Come on! That one was cute!!!!

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All pictures taken by me. Hope you enjoyed the view 😍 and allowed your mind to wander with my silly thoughts! 😁

Are you still here?
The post is over... moooooove along. tee hee hee!


cow emoji from Emojidex

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When I say that there is good, well made, undervalued content here in POB I'm talking about this, a nice post, without shading, cursing(I'm not against swearing), cowling people names or something like that, coming from a stablished creator, and undervalued... I would like to have a great stake to be able to cast a vote befitting the quality of this content, but...

Keep going with your work!!


Posted via proofofbrain.io

Thank you SO very much for that amazing comment.

and let me say this truly - please believe me - to me? that comment is worth MORE THAN a vote from a whale!

I LOVE getting huge votes - of course!

But I'm a writer - and writers love to engage with people who read their words! and you just made my night!

Thank you so very much Paulo!!!! :)

I believe in you. Thank you too for this nice reply!!


Posted via proofofbrain.io

How often do we impose our idea of happiness on others who are blissfully unaware that there is anything different than their own experience?

The truth!!
I have been on both sides, and on the receiving end, I have made to feel "stupid" because I am not striving for the values of the other person...
Sometimes I catch myself, but there are times I go down that rabbit hole, second-guessing what I want, chaos in the head, and climb out all scratched and bruised

What a nice drive - I am sure the cows wanted to get your to join them more than take you down :D

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LOL! yip maybe people don't know what they miss, ignorance is bliss /contentment they say.
Most people are like the CAFO cows, they take what you dangle before them, but them mountain cows are wiser, they weigh out their choices before they take them.
Loved those pictures and the way your mind works lOL.

hahahaha yes - take a peek at my comment to @kaerpediem above @sofs-su
i wrote a small post... hahaha but I think you'll appreciate it!

and yes - my mind. it is quite a strange tunnel in there! LOLOL

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I love cows. Pretty sure the feeling is mooooo-tual

Hahahaha yes, it is. I'm glad to know, at least virtually, someone with some particular//uncommon vision on life. Occasionally, I have similar thought-provoking moments over "normal" stuff like this. They can drown easily, wow.

Anyway, great post. I enjoyed it a lot!

hahahaha exactly - we need to share these thoughts and get them out into the open so that others can enjoy too! LOLOLOL

I love making these kind of posts where the thoughts just spin and spin hehehe

oh my first downvote in a long time! I don't mind the downvote - but I'd love to know what bothered you about the post @whatsup! hehehe
feel free to come back and share! 🙂

I was really bothered by a misclick. I had no intention of downvoting this. lol. I'm glad you tagged me.

I must have "missed", but I have no idea how that happened.

ROFLLLLLLLL its ok

i was like hmmmm maybe she owns cows on a CAFO???

😂

you didn't even have to reverse the vote- i don't care too much about the upvote/downvote stuff... but i shall happily take what you gave and put it towards my future riches on hive hehehehe

lol, I'm really sorry. I bet you were confused. Good to see you back around. Which is why I tried to vote FOR your post.

I appreciate it very much! hahahahaha

Yeah - we had a very interesting year on another platform with HUGE highs, HUGE lows, and some seeds planted for very cool things. Will be launching our little project in 10 days. normally i'd be all dreemie hype and cheer and yeahhhhhhhhhhh its gonna be awesome!!!

but - the theme here is... "different" hehehe

we are doing everything... different. so... kinda low key. organic, slow, steady natural growth (hopefully!!!) but building stuff to last, for the community, for us, for crypto, for fun, for integrity, and for the win/win/win/win.
hehehe

I'm terrified. completely terrified.

but a little at a time, we just keep taking steps forward. and that's all that we can do, right? hehehehe

Lol, I thought I was the only one that usually notice how mountain cows look almost straight into one's eyes as if trying to find out what we humans are doing while munching down their grasses hehehhe.
Its always funny in a way. Posing for the camera? I think they do hahahaha, who know what they might be saying. Something more like, Come on human, give me that clean shot haahahahaha. what a silly thought lol.
By the way, its was fun reading this experience you had.
Its been a long while.

hehehehe they really did pose for me! LOLOL

and I couldn't believe how close they got to me! but wouldn't take from my hand hehehe

ah well - it was lovely to see them yesterday :)

I can't believe you really did that hahaha.
Were you thinking they are some kind of pet that obeys and gets food from the owner? Lol

they almost did!!!!!!!!!! they walked about 50 yards to come right to me

he stopped about 8-10 feet in front of me

and when one would be brave -then two more would be braver -and push him away. then they all stopped.

then one would be brave - then three more would be braver and push ahead
hahahah

i really thought they were gonna come take the grass from my hands like horses hahahahahahaha

Hahaha haha.
Yeah, cause I only see such scenarios with horses, not cows.
So it would have been a shocking thing to behold.