The writer of this article hypothesizes about a world where animals had rights. It’s something I try to imagine frequently, but most of the time I just despair. No one else seems to care. But if that day ever came, I for one, wouldn’t be afraid to step back a little. Do we really need the power to destroy the earth just because we can? In fact, isn’t that rather counterproductive? After all, we’re animals too.

Anyone who doesn’t like the idea, consider this: there was a time, not so long ago, when it was considered ridiculous for women and children to have rights. In some parts of the world, only people of European ancestry were considered rational, capable and worthy of ruling the world. In others, Europeans were considered uncivilized.

Today, most people would hesitate to advocate stale old ideas of that kind. Maybe there will come a day when animals get their rights. In my opinion, that won’t be a day too soon.