apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

That really makes me queasy... But then again, I am also the kind of person who hates to handle raw meat and then the pans in which it has been cooked. Ugh.

My cats would adore that tail beyond what meows can express... if you think it's repulsive now, imagine the tail well-chewed (but not if you're eating lunch).

It's actually an interesting piece, without all the realixm, and besides, my cat would FAINT. Also, if I sat in it I'd have this compulsion to pull the tail up and expect the chair to move forward. Not good.

Funny, the tail reads more as "p*nis" to me than "tail". Maybe because its between the legs? (And very interesting re: the cats)

[**stars are because I'm not sure what will be rejected by the computer server]

LOL
the dachshund of my childhood got ahold of the tail of one of these hides hanging on a wall

happiest. dachshund. ever.

[of course it's a hideous explorer's club pig chair]

Wende- thanks. Even without the lunchtime accompaniement, I'm a bit grossed.

I was grossed out when shoes came out with hair hide
but I was seduced by a big discounton a pair of leopardy spotty ones. When I got home I saw "pony" on the box. Coincidently a library book of photographs I was looking at that same day had a photo of a skinned horse and the photographer wanted people to know where their pony skin boots came from. I took the shoes back.

This chair makes me queasy, and the pony skin Le Corbusier LC4 doesn't so much.

I'm enjoying your blog, Peter, though I got massively distracted by the link to Consumer Reports' photo archive. The flaming Nerf ball is my current favorite, edging out the melted steam iron.

It bothers me that you think "It's fabulous!" and "I'm repulsed!" are two mutually exclusive categories.

It's fabulous AND I am repulsed.

People really need to get out of the city more often! Given the reactions here, I'd hate to think what urban folks would do when they saw where their milk and egs *really* come from. ;)

Gonzo! You know, zebra tastes best with an appetizer of barbecued Spotted Owl breasts.

Hey! You guys got metafiltered. Way to go.

http://www.metafilter.com/mefi/49728

This whole thing can be extended to any cushy cosseted urban dweller who has an industrial processes seperating them from source ingredients..
Seeing actual bananas on trees in Thailand compared to the highly bred and processed ones in the supermarket was quite an eyeopener. Ditto buying chickens at the market, though I thoroughly enjoyed the meal even though it wasn't presented as little white blobs of stuff ala supermarket. It's just the modern supermarket buying urban dweller has in some ways become remotedfrom the reality how most of what they buy is made.

And lets not even get started on pet food!

I grew up in a rural setting, but now live in a big city. The commentary regarding chicken and beef is quite heartless. If you are unable to reconcile the reality of where you food comes from then you should be a vegetarian. I have no problem with the raising, slaughter and consumption of animals for food. I am very disturbed by a disrespectful (largely urban and suburban) population that want to fool themselves about how food is produced. It doesn't just magically appear out of some factory. An animal dies for that chicken breast, steak or tuna fillet. That's how it works. This mini-rant is not to advocate that you stop eating meat. Instead simply own up to the responsibility you have to the process.

Yes, I'm repulsed. Although I think zebra hide is a fabulous-looking material, they're just too pretty to kill. I don'thave a problem with cowhides, because I eat cow, after all.

Now if they only skinned the zebras who died from natural causes... maybe.

It's very interesting to see where different people draw the line on certain things. I bought a Room and Board leather chair that had a cattle brand un the underside of the cushion. SOme feople just found that terribly gross. I also have a chair upholstered in what the manufacturer calls "pony hide." But it's really cow hide (with hair) dyes red. When people think it's from a horse, they feel uncomfortable, but cow is okay.

Oh man, that chair rocks, zebras are well plentiful. We are the top of the food chain, why not? Besides raising zebra is way better for the ecosystem/planet than cattle and few people have qualms with leather sofas or chairs. I call hypocrisy on all of the poor animal folks in this thread.

I think the dichotomy Claudia discusses is because, at least in the US, most people don't and couldn't knowingly eat horse.

I am pretty much with Abbe's comment, as far as my reaction. And it's because I *am* aware of where my food comes from: I would be a vegetarian if I were medically able. Hate the whole process. You can mitigate it very slightly by buying free-range organic stuff, especially from farmers you know, if you are in a position to know anyone.

Also, I love zebra - but printed on fabric and faux fur. Another issue with that is the environmental impact of the production process, if you want to put a very fine point on it. =/

NO. It is exactly what it is... a zebra. Not to like the chair out of personal taste is one thing, but to dislike it because you can see where the leather came from is sadly naive.

The degree to which animals are protected on this planet is directly proportional to their commercial value. Harsh yes, but so is life. Game animals in Africa which are managed, licensed, and hunted are prospering in Southern African countries with progressive game management programs. By contrast, in Kenya, where hunting was outlawed, poaching is rampant and overgrazing is destroying that exact habitat the animals need to survive. Why? Because the animals are not paying their own way - delivering the economic value necessary to keep them protected.

If you think you can legislate behavior then go consult with a drug dealer and see how concerned he is about legislation. Only economics protects animals and we as consumers drive those economics. Personally, I perfer driving with my eyes open.