Over and over, the economy has determined the extent of our response, but how much value does it place on breathable air, drinkable water, edible food and stable weather and climate? Surely the economy is the means to a better future, not an end in itself. Surely it must be subordinate to a rich, diverse ecosphere that sustains all life.
I'd like to see animals removed from the entertainment business. Chimpanzees and apes won't perform unless you beat them. Circuses keep elephants in chains 90 percent of the time. Elephants need freedom of movement. In circuses, they live in cramped quarters, which is not the life intended for them by nature. Some are beaten daily, forced to do ridiculous tricks and robbed of every shred of dignity.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote advocates for the ethical treatment of animals used in entertainment, highlighting their suffering and need for freedom.
Bob Barker's quote sheds light on the harsh realities faced by animals in the entertainment industry, particularly in circuses, where they are often mistreated, confined, and forced to perform unnatural acts. He emphasizes that such treatment is not only inhumane but also deprives these animals of their dignity and natural instincts, advocating for a future where animals are treated with respect and given the freedom they deserve.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used during a speech at an animal rights rally to emphasize the importance of treating animals humanely.
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