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PYP 147: Vlad Chituc on How (Not) to Change Hearts and Minds

Vlad Chituc is a behavioral economics researcher at Duke University. He works with Dan Ariely at the Center for Advanced Hindsight, and focuses on issues of ethics, morality, and decision-making.

When we chatted briefly a few weeks ago about his veganism and his commitment to reduce animal suffering, I was struck by his contrarian views and the really cool research behind them.

What he advocates is powerful, controversial, and, I believe, extremely important for those of us in the plant-based movement to consider.

[powerpress]

Vlad gets excited when he talks about these issues, and then two things happen:

  1. He talks really fast
  2. He uses “salty” language

You'll get used to the speed of his speech pretty quickly. I did. If you get offended by colorful language, or typically play this podcast to children, you may want to exercise caution for this episode.

I thought about bleeping out the curse words, but when I compared the value of that task to saving the world (which is what I secretly believe I'm doing with this podcast and my consulting practice ;)…

It was close, but saving the world won by a hair 😉

Vlad and I covered:

  • why he tells people he's “mostly vegan”
  • the embarrassing truth about his conversion to vegetarianism in college
  • why beef is far more compassionate than chicken or eggs
  • an economist's “suffering sale” for animal agriculture
  • why “theory of mind” is so dangerous
  • what Dan Ariely's work on dishonesty tells us about why people don't always act according to their values
  • “everyone wants to believe they're a good person”
  • how vegan (and other moral) advocacy backfires
  • The 1954 UFO doomsday  cult and the power of cognitive dissonance
  • The “meat paradox” – why we eat chickens and pet dogs
  • Why drunk vegetarians eat meat – the shocking USDA study
  • the real reasons for behavior change: water flowing downhill
  • the stories we tell ourselves about our own journeys, and why they make us less effective advocates
  • behavior change and boiling kettles
  • “3 words to describe vegetarians” and fear of moral judgment
  • the rejection of “moral rebels”
  • why the health argument for plant-based eating is much more effective than the moral argument
  • are vegans “winning”?
  • the significance of Waka Flocka Flame's vegan blueberry muffins
  • the uses and misuses of shame
  • why equating veganism with the abolition of slavery weakens the movement
  • the heartwarming story of Toad the dog
  • and much more…

Enjoy, add your voice (kindly!) to the conversation via the comment box below, and please share – that's how we spread our message and spread our roots.

Resources

The Müller-Lyer Line Illusion

muller-lyer-lines

Waka Flocka Flame Makes Vegan Blueberry Muffins (NSFW, depending on where you W)

Links

Vlad Chituc's website: Vladchituc.com

“Why Drunk Vegetarians Eat Meat” – Vlad's article in The Daily Beast

The Center for Advanced Hindsight at Duke University

Compassion, by the Pound: The Economics of Farm Animal Welfare, by F. Bailey Norwood  and Jayson L. Lusk

When Prophesy Fails, by Leon Festinger

Telling More Than We Can Know, by Richard Nisbett and Timothy DeCamp Wilson – free PDF

Do-Gooder Derogation: Disparaging Morally-Motivated Minorities To Defuse Anticipated Reproach, by Julia A. Minson and Benoît Monin – free PDF

The rejection of moral rebels: resenting those who do the right thing, by Monin, Sawyer, and Marquez – abstract

Mindless Eating, by Brian Wansink

Is Shame Necessary?: New Uses for an Old Tool, by Jennifer Jacquet

Moral Saints, by Susan Wolf – free PDF

Email Vlad at vl********@gm***.com

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Gratitudes

Big thanks to Plant Yourself Podcast Patrons Kim Harrison, Lynn McLellan, Anthony Dissen, Amy Good, and Brittany Porter.

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Music

The Plant Yourself Podcast theme music, “Dance of Peace (Sabali Don),” is generously provided by Will Ridenour, a kora player from North Carolina who has trained with top Senegalese musicians.

It can be found on his first CD, titled Will Ridenour.

You can learn about Will, listen to more tracks, and buy music on his website, WillRidenour.com.

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You CAN Change Other People!

Well, that's what Peter Bregman and I claim in our provocative book of that title.

What we really mean is, you can help the people around you make behavioral changes in their own best interests. If you think you're powerless to help people change, it's because you've been going about it the wrong way.

Discover our straightforward, replicable process here: You Can Change Other People.

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This podcast is not underwritten by advertising, so I can experience complete editorial autonomy without worrying about pissing off the person paying the bills. Instead, I pay the bills, with your help. It's free for those who can't afford to pay, and supported by those who can. You can contribute to the growth and improvement of the podcast by clicking the “Support on Patreon” or “Donate” buttons on the right to help out.

Music

The Plant Yourself Podcast theme music, “Dance of Peace (Sabali Don),” is generously provided by Will Ridenour, a kora player from North Carolina who has trained with top Senegalese musicians.

It can be found on his first CD, titled Will Ridenour.

You can learn about Will, listen to more tracks, and buy music on his website, WillRidenour.com.

Gratitudes

Thanks to Plant Yourself podcast patrons – Kim Harrison – Lynn McLellan – Brittany Porter – Dominic Marro – Barbara Whitney – Tammy Black – Amy Good – Amanda Hatherly – Mary Jane Wheeler – Ellen Kennelly – Melissa Cobb – Rachel Behrens – Tina Scharf – Tina Ahern – Jen Vilkinofsky – David Byczek – Michele X – Elspeth Feldman – Leah Stolar – Allan Kristensen – Colleen Peck – Michele Landry – Jozina – Sara Durkacs – Kelly Cameron – Janet Selby – Claire Adams – Tom Fronczak – Jeannette Benham – Gila Lacerte – David Donohue – Blair Seibert – Doron Avizov – Gio and Carolyn Argentati – Jodi Friesner – Mischa Rosen – Michael Worobiec – AvIvA Lael – Alicia Lemus – Val Linnemann – Nick Harper – Bandana Chawla – Molly Levine – The Inscrutable Harry R – Susan Laverty the Panda Vegan – Craig Covic – Adam Scharf – Karen Bury – Heather Morgan – Nigel Davies – Marian Blum – Teresa Kopel – Julian Watkins – Brid O'Connell – Shannon Herschman – Linda Ayotte – Holm Hedegaard – Isa Tousignant – Connie Haneline – Erin Greer – Alicia Davis – Heather O'Connor – Carollynne Jensen – Sheri Orlekoski of Plant Powered for Health – Karen Smith – Scott Mirani – Karen and Joe Crabtree – Kirby Burton – Theresa Carrell – Kevin Macaulay – Elizabeth Rothschild – Ann Jesse – Sheryl Dwyer – Jenny Hazelton – Peter W Evans – Dennis Bird – Darby Kelly – Lori Fanney – Linnea Lundquist – Emily Iaconelli – Levi Wallach – Rosamonde McAtee – Dan Pokorney – Stephen Leinin – Patty DeMartino – Mike and Donna Kartz – Deanne Bishop – Bilberry Elf – Marjorie Lewis – Tricia Adams – Nancy Sheldon – Lindsey Bashore – Gunn Marit Hagen – Tracey Gulledge – Lara Hedin – Meg from Mamasezz – Stacey Stokes – Ben Savage – Michael K – David Hughes -Coni Rodgers – Claire England – Sally Robertson – Parham Ganchi – Amy Dailey – Brian Tourville – Mark Jeffrey Johnson – Josie Dempsey – Caryn Schmitt – Pamela Hayden – Emily Perryman – Allison Corbett – Richard Stone – Lauren Vaught of Edible Musings – Erin Hastey – Sean Owens – Sagar Naik – Erika Piedra – Danielle Roberts – Michael Leuchten – Sarah Johnson – Katharine Floyd – Meryl Fury – for your generous support of the podcast.

Disclosure

This post may contain amazon affiliate links. I may receive compensation from your actions on such links. It don't cost you a dime, tho.

2 comments on “PYP 147: Vlad Chituc on How (Not) to Change Hearts and Minds

  1. Thank You says:

    Thank You, for another information packed podcast.

  2. Angela W. says:

    I loved this guy… “salty” language and all. Wow, he gave us SO MUCH information, so many great things to think about, and so many “ah ha” moments. I think I need to listen to it twice to absorb just a bit more!

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