The idea that our ancestors were perpetual carnivores, feasting on raw meat and fresh kills to satiate their primal appetites, is a farcical notion that has taken hold of the far right. Proponents like Jordan Peterson tout the benefits of a meat-heavy diet as a return to a more natural state, but the truth is far more nuanced.
In reality, our hunter-gatherer ancestors ate widely divergent diets shaped by climate, geography, and availability. While they certainly consumed meat, it's unlikely that they were perpetually in "hunting mode." In fact, many ancient societies had limited access to fresh meat, and instead relied on scavenging carrion or eating insects.
The notion that our ancestors ate a superabundance of meat is also a myth. Research suggests that early humans consumed relatively small amounts of protein from animal sources, with most diets consisting of a mix of plant and animal foods. The domestication of livestock, which began around 12,000 years ago, likely diminished meat's role in human diets.
Moreover, the idea that our ancestors ate more meat because it was readily available is a misconception. In many ancient societies, meat was a luxury item reserved for special occasions or served as a symbol of wealth and status. The reality is that meat has always been a variable component of human diets, subject to cultural, economic, and environmental factors.
The myth of the carnivore caveman also obscures the fact that our ancestors adapted their diets to their environments in creative ways. In some societies, insects were a staple food source, while others relied on plants and roots for sustenance.
Today, we face real problems related to meat consumption, such as global climate change and health impacts of processed foods. Rather than retreating to an unspoiled past or embracing myths about ancestral diets, we need to engage with the complexity of the modern food system and consider rational solutions that prioritize science, public health, and political economy.
Ultimately, the diets of our ancestors are a red herring, distracting us from the real issues at hand. By embracing nuance and critical thinking, we can work towards creating a more sustainable and equitable food system that prioritizes human well-being over nostalgic fantasies about the past.
In reality, our hunter-gatherer ancestors ate widely divergent diets shaped by climate, geography, and availability. While they certainly consumed meat, it's unlikely that they were perpetually in "hunting mode." In fact, many ancient societies had limited access to fresh meat, and instead relied on scavenging carrion or eating insects.
The notion that our ancestors ate a superabundance of meat is also a myth. Research suggests that early humans consumed relatively small amounts of protein from animal sources, with most diets consisting of a mix of plant and animal foods. The domestication of livestock, which began around 12,000 years ago, likely diminished meat's role in human diets.
Moreover, the idea that our ancestors ate more meat because it was readily available is a misconception. In many ancient societies, meat was a luxury item reserved for special occasions or served as a symbol of wealth and status. The reality is that meat has always been a variable component of human diets, subject to cultural, economic, and environmental factors.
The myth of the carnivore caveman also obscures the fact that our ancestors adapted their diets to their environments in creative ways. In some societies, insects were a staple food source, while others relied on plants and roots for sustenance.
Today, we face real problems related to meat consumption, such as global climate change and health impacts of processed foods. Rather than retreating to an unspoiled past or embracing myths about ancestral diets, we need to engage with the complexity of the modern food system and consider rational solutions that prioritize science, public health, and political economy.
Ultimately, the diets of our ancestors are a red herring, distracting us from the real issues at hand. By embracing nuance and critical thinking, we can work towards creating a more sustainable and equitable food system that prioritizes human well-being over nostalgic fantasies about the past.
and btw, climate change is a REAL issue 
and food systems need a total overhaul, let's focus on science & solutions rather than getting stuck in the past 
. Like, come on, people! Our ancestors didn't eat like mindless beasts all day, every day. They had complex societies, cultures, and environments that shaped their diets in ways we can only start to understand today.
. Newsflash: humans have been adapting to our environments for tens of thousands of years, and that means our diets were (and are) way more diverse than we're giving credit for.
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. Like, I get it, some people might be into that whole primal diet thing but come on, it's not that simple 
️. And let's be real, who can even imagine having to hunt for food every day? 
It sounds super stressful 
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. And you know what's even crazier? The fact that in some societies, insects were actually a staple food source 
! Like, who knew? It just goes to show that our ancestors were way more resourceful than we give them credit for 
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. We need to be focusing on solving those problems instead of getting caught up in myths about ancient diets 
. It's fascinating to see how this notion has taken hold of far-right ideologies and been perpetuated by individuals like Jordan Peterson, who promote meat-heavy diets as a return to a more natural state. However, the truth is far more complex and nuanced.
. In many ancient societies, meat was a luxury item reserved for special occasions or served as a symbol of wealth and status. The myth of the carnivore caveman obscures the fact that our ancestors adapted their diets to their environments in creative ways.
. By doing so, we can work towards creating a more sustainable and equitable food system that prioritizes human well-being over nostalgic fantasies about the past.
. And have you seen some of these meat-heavy diets? Like, my grandma used to eat a whole lot of beans and veggies from her garden, that's what she needed 
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I MEAN, THE IDEA THAT WE CAN REVERT TO OUR "WILD" ANCESTORS AND EXPECT EVERYTHING TO WORK OUT IS JUST SO... UTMOST