Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Temple Grandin
I think it is interesting how people prefer a binary classification system whenever possible. People can be "good" or "bad", jobs "desirable" or "undesirable". Temple Grandin's radio essay on NPR's Morning Edition illustrates just how limiting this world view can be. Given the opportunity, I would have undoubtedly classified the job of designing slaughterhouses as "undesirable". I am a practical person, I realize that my steak didn't offer itself up willingly. But even after acknowledging the necessity of slaughterhouses, who wants to be an accessory to murder? My world view (admittedly more black and white than I want it to be) would have me shun that job immediately and reflexively. Just the word "slaughterhouse" makes me conjure up images of chaos, fear, and blood. All things people are conditioned to avoid. Listening to Temple Grandin's essay, I see the job differently. When she describes it, designing slaughterhouses seems logical, humane. Rather than an accomplice in bloodshed, she acts as an advocate for the animal, reducing their fear in an unpleasant but necessary aspect of supplying protein to carnivores. I wonder what other jobs I would call "undesirable" that she would see differently. Any thoughts?
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I completely agree! Although I'm more of a shades of gray person this is one area that my "black & white" views would emerge. I would definitely categorize this job as "undesirable" as well, yet Temple Grandin took it as a challenge and was able to do great things for animals. I think it's amazing that she was able to take on the perspective of the livestock and understand the stress they were feeling, which is an ability that most people with autism struggle with. But as you stated above our everyday world view can be very limiting and it's a good thing we have people like Temple Grandin to think about things in a different way!
ReplyDeleteI was also struck by her humane depiction of a slaughterhouse. When she explains her goal is to make the animals calm and that everyone dies someday it is logical and humane. But when I think about having a job like that, I would feel bad for maximizing the killing proccess through effeciency. She has a different view on the world that can teach us a lot.
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