In Response to: Sea Change

There is a (literal) fatal flaw in the otherwise brilliant fish farming focus of genius entrepreneur, Eric Pedersen ’82, and he as much as concedes it himself (“Sea Change,” January issue). His inventive intention is to change current fish farming to something that provides the farmed species a “healthier, less stressful environment.” But that charity is all undone in one bloodletting instant (the fatal flaw), when each of them, in his words, must “just have one bad day.”

The doggerel of Mr. Pedersen’s latter comment delicately dances around the day he inevitably imposes judgement, when his huddled herds must be “harvested” (condemned and executed for no other crime than simply being fish). That hardly seems just. Killing for whatever purpose or reasoning, by whatever means, benefits no one. The wisdom literature of the world reflects as much.

I have abandoned flesh consumption (cuisine through killing), going on four or five years now, and will venture to say that my health (as a function of diet) has never been better. Mr. Pedersen’s intention is inspiring, and as one T.I. member to another, I wish him nothing but grace and goodwill, hoping that in his admirable mission to feed the masses that he plow his profits into perfecting plant proteins, and so spare those whose blood he would otherwise spill.

Rocky Semmes ’79
Alexandria, Va.