For the first day of class

Lecture by neuroscientist Robert Sapolsky, "Are Humans Just Another Primate?": http://fora.tv/2011/02/15/Robert_Sapolsky_Are_Humans_Just_Another_Primate
Paul Nicklen's photojournalistic encounter with a leopard seal for NatGeo in Antarctica: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zxa6P73Awcg
Video from the Onion News Network: http://www.theonion.com/video/study-multiple-stab-wounds-may-be-harmful-to-monke,14150/

And more seriously, 'lab chimps see daylight for the first time': http://gizmodo.com/5837737/lab-chimps-see-daylight-for-first-time

In a Chinese zoo, "five Euros will buy you the chance to feed one animal to another": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LeuQcsj-2w
A PETA ad pushing shelter adoption: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iErz6lThokg&feature=player_embedded
A rather different ad, "Never Say No to Panda": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X21mJh6j9i4

Another example of animals as symbols: Pieter Hugo photoessay, "The Hyena and Other Men": http://www.pieterhugo.com/the-hyena-other-men/

"The Meatrix": http://www.themeatrix.com/
On a lighter note: "Walk on the Wild Side" excerpt (BBC show): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5piEann_nU
One (of many) example of anthropocentrism: http://xkcd.com/731/

On companion animals

An excellent but disturbing documentary on (in)breeding and genetic diseases in dogs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3O0l0f50AAk&feature=related
(graphic) example of an undercover PETA video on mice handling: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jT8lxLX3u_c&feature=player_embedded#!
'Animal hoarding on the rise': http://www.newser.com/article/d9hvvg380/pet-experts-25-percent-of-animal-hoarders-were-once-rescuers-and-trend-growing-across-country.html
A PBS documentary on Michael Vick and dogfighting: http://video.pbs.org/video/1757336290
On a PETA undercover video at a puppy mill: http://www.newser.com/story/87705/video-of-animal-abuse-prompts-raid-of-pet-supplier.html

A PETA ad pushing shelter adoption: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iErz6lThokg&feature=player_embedded

In the news recently: on San Francisco's proposed pet sale ban: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-goldfish-20110627,0,6881137.story
On the dogs of 'seal team 6': http://www.cbs8.com/story/14590995/bow-wow-some-war-dogs-even-have-titanium-fangs
On 'unconventional' service animals: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703652104576122461180284204.html

And here: http://gizmodo.com/5685688/the-cutest-bomb-squad-in-the-world?skyline=true&s=i

Dogs as companions in urbanizing China: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/25/world/asia/25dogs.html?_r=1&src=me
Some great dog photos: http://www.beautifullife.info/art-works/absolutely-amazing-dog-photos-from-tim-flach/
On the recent film, Project Nim: http://www.nybooks.com/blogs/nyrblog/2011/aug/18/troubled-life-nim-chimpsky
Trailer for the film Buck, on horses: http://www.buckthefilm.com/
A different kind of companion animal...the quacking kind: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=327m3wukAow&feature=player_embedded

Some overarching topics

Jonathan Haidt on the moral roots of liberals and conservatives: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vs41JrnGaxc&feature=related
Robert Wright: Non-Zero Sumness, Empathy and Morality: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5ruBkDVOMM
Idea framing, metaphors, and your brain: George Lakoff: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_CWBjyIERY
On bias

Dan Ariely, well-known behavioral economist: http://www.vimeo.com/12298723
the role of confirmation bias: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u34BhEgO_es&feature=PlayList&p=8F099E88F37E74A7&index=34

Flash video on Alan Watts' idea of 'prickles and goo': http://www.neticons.net/prickles/
Clay Shirky at TED, 'How social media can make history': http://www.ted.com/talks/clay_shirky_how_cellphones_twitter_facebook_can_make_history.html

More on the pros and cons of living with technology: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUBjnk_9n8Y&feature=player_embedded

Seth Godin at TED, on 'the tribes we lead': http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/seth_godin_on_the_tribes_we_lead.html

On Animals and Ethics

Carl Sagan (audio from Pale Blue Dot): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shUTJAwWmsE
Excellent three-part interview with Peter Singer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bi81JcddWc
Martha Nussbaum in the film Examined Life: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbcGbflpFzI
One (of many) example of anthropocentrism: http://xkcd.com/731/
Gary Francione's blog: http://www.abolitionistapproach.com/

An interview with Francione, on abolitionism and moral schizophrenia: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EO8NXatlQhc

Jonathan Haidt on the moral roots of liberals and conservatives: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vs41JrnGaxc&feature=related
Robert Wright: Non-Zero Sumness, Empathy and Morality: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5ruBkDVOMM
Steven Pinker on language: http://ikesharpless.pbworks.com/w/page/13341821/FrontPage
Robert Sapolsky - 'are humans just another primate': http://fora.tv/2011/02/15/Robert_Sapolsky_Are_Humans_Just_Another_Primate
More generally, these links from my Political Thought class contain lots of resources on Aristotle, Kant, utilitarianism, and feminism

In the news

Fur now banned in West Hollywood...: http://www.thisdishisvegetarian.com/2011/09/1963-west-hollywood-gives-fur-industry.html
And pets from puppy mills in Toronto: http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20110921/council-votes-ban-puppy-mill-pet-shops-110921/20110921/?hub=TorontoNewHome
And apparently PETA's starting a porn site. Go figure: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jlJH3Keb3g

On public policy and related topics

Maxwell Stearns on public choice: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPfuuqz_veo
Introducing the prisoner's dilemma: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=iv&v=IotsMu1J8fA&annotation_id=annotation_867313

Understanding Nash equilibrium and the prisoner's dilemma: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4n-Eg6UAw8&feature=related

On human rights and social movements: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfKrfwqHsYI

On the role of collective behavior: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQXr4hTRHwg

On the policy cycle: http://www.stats.govt.nz/sitecore/content/population/Home/tools-and-resources/policy-development-cycle.aspx, http://www.peopleandparticipation.net/display/ProcessPlanner/Using+Your+Results, http://www.geostrategis.com/p_policy.htm
A very basic but handy overview on 'what is public policy?': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoNNIPC0Euc&feature=related
Jonathan Haidt on the moral roots of liberals and conservatives: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vs41JrnGaxc&feature=related
Robert Wright: Non-Zero Sumness, Empathy and Morality: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5ruBkDVOMM
Idea framing, metaphors, and your brain: George Lakoff: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_CWBjyIERY
On bias

Dan Ariely, well-known behavioral economist: http://www.vimeo.com/12298723
the role of confirmation bias: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u34BhEgO_es&feature=PlayList&p=8F099E88F37E74A7&index=34

Flash video on Alan Watts' idea of 'prickles and goo': http://www.neticons.net/prickles/
Clay Shirky at TED, 'How social media can make history': http://www.ted.com/talks/clay_shirky_how_cellphones_twitter_facebook_can_make_history.html

More on the pros and cons of living with technology: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUBjnk_9n8Y&feature=player_embedded

Seth Godin at TED, on 'the tribes we lead': http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/seth_godin_on_the_tribes_we_lead.html

In the news, and re. class discussion

A question (to which I don't have an answer): why did this hawk get wildlife rehabbed, but not the raccoon my wife found?: http://www.universalhub.com/2011/animal-rescue-league-answers-south-end-bird-call
A NYT debate on the ethics of banning fur (and whether, and how, the ban should be extended or rescinded): http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2011/09/25/ban-fur-then-why-not-leather
Another candidate for tool use: http://www.theatlanticwire.com/national/2011/09/today-research-rise-tool-wielding-fish/43070/
PETA and the NYT's "sexy chicken": http://www.theatlanticwire.com/business/2011/09/petas-not-laughing-new-york-timess-sexy-chicken/43087/

Links on Human-Wildlife Conflict and Hunting

A good documentary on monkeys by Sir David Attenborough: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSVF4CuXYno&
A Kalahari 'persistence hunt' (with Sir David Attenborough): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wI-9RJi0Qo
on shooting a lion...: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CNgwZgoKFc

on shooting an '8 point buck': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPNBynsVHAc

On aerial wolf hunting (note the creator -- Defenders of Wildlife...i.e., not without bias, obviously): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zr183lk-wQk

a very different perspective on helicopter hunting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiHmYsyVniE

On 'internet-controlled hunting': http://io9.com/5734863/internet+controlled-shotguns-are-the-high+tech-extremely-illegal-solution-to-hog-infestation
A hunter's view (in Leopold's tradition...a blend of Kheel's holist/holy hunter): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhcabnNjd1I
Richard Louv on biophilia: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeOSzDUCPkA
Flashy vid on urban sprawl and the 'new urbanism': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGJt_YXIoJI
On habitat fragmentation and the edge effect: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGWFh6vCd7I
Eagle cam (one of many): http://www.fs.fed.us/outdoors/naturewatch/eaglecam.html
On bear baiting...(not pleasant):http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qG3lYWnuD0
On the asian carp isue: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/10/us-asian-carp-czar-poison-ge.php
Antarctic Krill and oceanic acidification: http://e360.yale.edu/digest/antarctic_krill_embryos_severely_affected_by_ocean_acidification/2639/
"Stephen Fry watches rare bird hump zoologist": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6A7uFSbRJ5w
At the intersection of food policy and wild animals (a Greenpeace ad on Fonterra milk): http://www.vegan.com/blog/2010/10/11/best-milk-commercial-ever
David Attenborough BBC special on Darwin bicentennial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uz7U4k522Pg
"Milking the Rhino" (PBS documentary): http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/milkingtherhino/
On migratory birds and urban lights: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11141196
A more radical position on deer management: http://www.friendsofanimals.org/news/2010/september/neither-hunting-nor-.html
On the impact of wolf hunting: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/10/the-impact-of-wolf-hunting-much-greater-than-commonly-assumed.php
A recent article from Vanity Fair on the ivory trade: http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2011/08/elephants-201108
On the complex ethics of in situ field research: http://www.newser.com/story/109618/tagging-hurts-penguins-study.html
High def full-length youtube vid for a pretty movie called Home: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqxENMKaeCU
Website for Eastern coyote research (mentioned in class...): http://www.easterncoyoteresearch.com/
And speaking of human-wildlife conflict: http://www.clusterflock.org/2011/07/leopards-are-protected-in-india-though-more-are-straying-into-villages-for-food.html

On Animal Consciousness (Tues, July 19)

Lecture by neuroscientist Robert Sapolsky, "Are Humans Just Another Primate?": http://fora.tv/2011/02/15/Robert_Sapolsky_Are_Humans_Just_Another_Primate

And a logical extension, arguably - a new dialogue on "Humanity 2.0": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3t_JYKnGIA&feature=youtube_gdata

TED video: Jane Goodall on what separates us from the apes: http://www.ted.com/talks/jane_goodall_on_what_separates_us_from_the_apes.html

mother and child in Gombe: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmcNWJpIXp8

more on chimp intelligence: http://video.stumbleupon.com/#p=zmetizm0yc
A case of chimp problem-solving: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySMh1mBi3cI&feature=player_embedded
Kanzi the bonobo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Dhc2zePJFE, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRM7vTrIIis

Other relevant TED talks -- Jane Goodall 4 years later (in 2007): http://www.ted.com/talks/jane_goodall_at_tedglobal_07.html
TED - the amazing intelligence of crows: http://playstopgo.com/video/885

more on bird intelligence: http://pogpog.com/v/bird-fishes-like-a-human/

Susan Savage-Rumbaugh on apes: http://www.ted.com/talks/susan_savage_rumbaugh_on_apes_that_write.html

Dan Dennett on consciousness: http://tinyurl.com/2chm3hp (and a very different perspective is available here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=genaPkf99bY )

Understanding theory of mind: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDtjLSa50uk
"Can Monkeys Talk" (Robert Seyfarth): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lsF83rHKFc&feature=channel

Interview with cognitive ethologist Marc Bekoff: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOWnXJW9LjI

Link for the Great Ape Project (referenced by Bekoff): http://www.greatapeproject.org/

On Food and Agriculture

Michael Pollan on Bill Moyers Journal (2008): http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/11282008/watch.html
NOW (PBS) interview with Robert Kenner, creater of "Food, Inc": http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/523/ - Food Inc. trailer available here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eKYyD14d_0
FRONTLINE, "Fair Grounds", on coffee in Guatamala and Mexico: http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/guatemala.mexico/thestory.html
NASA: Science for a Hungry World (Part 1): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RJ6AqWAOEg
Amy Goodman and Raj Patel on the global food crisis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDqNTP2JHuY
A "documentary" (more of an ad, really) on the role of branding in one of the world's most loved brands, Coca-Cola: http://www.hulu.com/watch/108764/cnbc-originals-coca-cola-the-real-story-behind-the-real-thing
Nick Kristof on micronutrients in Africa: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMNWeL5P3nY
A recent USDA report on food insecurity in the USA (as reported on the News Hour with Jim Lehrer): http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/health/july-dec09/hungerreport_11-17.html
Trailer for "Meat the Truth" (about livestock and environment): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Z-upjfFCA4
Louise Fresco on Feeding the Whole World (TED Talks, 2009): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZmXwOgNq7c
"Urban farming grows up" (on vertical farming): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Scs2SIeIkkM
Food Production between now and 2050: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uwKOBBo5co
Moby on veganism: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FytZI6EEXvQ&feature=related
AgWired hosted a 'food chat' on Twitter this Tuesday night, which I followed: http://agwired.com/2011/10/19/foodchat-questions/
Food politics in the news: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/19/us/politics/potatoes-get-senate-protection-on-school-lunch-menus.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

On Animal Agriculture

The 'real story' on chicken farms...: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_fBiuH0gKI
"The Meatrix": http://www.themeatrix.com/
Compassion in World Farming (CIWF) vid: 'farm animals and us' (pt 1 of 3): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqbEHP3RzUE&feature=related
One recent and disturbing event: Egypt's pig cull in response to the H1NI 'swine' flu (over 300,000 pigs killed): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYB4sDKh3FI
A global (activist's) perspective: "factory farming in India": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClpXIzSzNoM
A quintessential segment of 'meat-and-potatoes Americana' with Baxter Black (why am I playing this??): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0rQzUVQjd8
A critical view of the World Organization for Animal Health's (OIE) 2005 global conference on animal welfare (from CIWF): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWZV5nHLpS4&feature=related
A 'farmer's view' on confinement agriculture: 'battle of animal welfare versus animal agriculture': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_geGpOX5n34
"Dirty Jobs" Mike Rowe at TED on livestock and local knowledge: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRVdiHu1VCc
BBC documentary, "the woman who thinks like a cow", about Temple Grandin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46ycu3JFRrA (see also this TED video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fn_9f5x0f1Q)
Animal Ag Alliance clips: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XigGTgP_qDE, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZ_xD-01f5M
"Hitler was a vegetarian": http://www.vegetariansareevil.com/hitler.html
Website for a prominent livestock trade journal: http://www.feedstuffs.com/ME2/Default.asp
Webcoming 'Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal's tongue-in-cheek take on food animal ethics: http://www.smbc-comics.com/index.php?db=comics&id=2393
1-minute pitch for Vegan Outreach: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=4Sl08_CMdL0
Putting animal ag in the context of Occupy Wall Street - what do you think about this?: http://planetoftheanimals.blogspot.com/2011/10/well-never-forget-animals.html

On Food and Diet

Speaking of diet - this is next weekend: http://www.bostonveg.org/foodfest/
Trailer for "Meat the Truth" (about livestock and environment): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Z-upjfFCA4
Moby on veganism: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FytZI6EEXvQ&feature=related
"Dirty Jobs" Mike Rowe at TED on livestock and local knowledge: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRVdiHu1VCc
BBC documentary, "the woman who thinks like a cow", about Temple Grandin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46ycu3JFRrA (see also this TED video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fn_9f5x0f1Q)
Animal Ag Alliance clips: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XigGTgP_qDE, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZ_xD-01f5M
Stephen Colbert in congress - on the plight of immigrant farmworkers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1T75jBYeCs&feature=player_embedded
France bans vegetarian meals from school cafeterias: vegan.com/blog/2011/10/19/france-bans-vegetarian-meals-at-school-cafeterias/
On the power of traditional animal breeding (with modern aids)- the 'super cow': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nmkj5gq1cQU
More on food and OWS: http://www.foodpolitics.com/2011/10/food-movement-occupy-wall-street-and-big-food-october-29/
One (of many) examples of a more abolitionist perspective on food (dairy, in this case): http://beaelliott.blogspot.com/2011/10/another-provoked-rant-about-why-dairy.html
A recent piece on the ethics of eating horses: http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/explainer/2011/10/slaughtering_horses_for_meat_is_banned_in_the_u_s_why_.html

Collected food policy and animal ag links from my firefox bookmarks here

On ecolabeling

On the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fk83zjCW0qA
On the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-BzXgJQYJA
eco-labels for paint, plumbing, and wood: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uu3zsA4FJ-c
A case study: Sustainable Forestry Initative (SFI) vs. Forest Stewardship Council (FSI): http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/03/fsc-vs-fsi.php
A clip on carbon labels: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifJTWAE7XRE
On the dangers of 'greenwashing': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6IF99TiZzk
Another example: Certified Humane: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFOUiXBds50
On 'eco-fashion' in Europe: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mf6GKg37TFE
A more recent example, by CBS - 'just look for the leaf': http://mediacology.com/2011/04/16/ecomedia-parodies-ecological-media/
On the dangers of ecolabel proliferation and consumer confusion: http://news.change.org/stories/when-well-meaning-labels-confuse-consumers

Links on Animal Experimentation

One view 'pro': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGy1QHPyvtM

Not your usual march: defending research at UCLA: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RALTi42h0k

and a lecture from what appears to be the same event: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JftURPWzvY

Another view pro (from Frankie Trull's Foundation for Biomedical Research (FBR)): http://www.fbresearch.org/

An example of the tactics used by the Foundation for Biomedical Research: http://stein.everybody.org/journal/posts/animal-testing/

One view 'con' (graphic!) (slideshow set to emotional music...): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmJh_YO7i18

Another (graphic) view con ("good science or pointless cruelty?") http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgFWIh71KjY
Antivivisectionist advertisement: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__-uVG53ieo
PETA ad: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COmiFdu61Js&feature=related
Website for 'stop huntington animal cruelty': http://www.shac.net/

On Huntington Life Sciences and the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqT1FR1XxPo
SHAC 7 website: http://www.shac7.com/ (and wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stop_Huntingdon_Animal_Cruelty)
One lecturer's view on ecoterrorism: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Teb5A08o5-Q

Understanding the "3Rs': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26E4-qd1tys
On alternatives to animal use in toxicity testing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPrjfdyszgc
Information on prominent antivivisectionist Henry Spira: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5iWnvtbtz8, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0maTqPxKOI
On Class 'B' Dealers: http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/pets_experiments/
For reference: the veterinarian's oath: http://netvet.wustl.edu/vetoath.htm
Good overview on the state of alternatives to whole-animal tests in the US: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/11/AR2008041103733.html?referrer=emailarticle
And on a lighter note: http://www.theonion.com/articles/sonofabitch-mouse-solves-maze-researchers-spent-mo,2432/

Animals and Biotechnology

NOVA ScienceNOW piece on artificial organ regeneration: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAI5rLnnCBE
Part one of a multi-part series, "Animal Farm": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hGRbzO2sTs
A more 'optimistic' overview here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCIvAuwaf-o
"Why Biotech is the next big thing": http://bigthink.com/ideas/26751

Some links I've collected on research animals

The Unraveling of Homogeny § SEEDMAGAZINE.COM

Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Reviews

In U.S., Few Alternatives To Testing On Animals - washingtonpost.com

Son-Of-A-Bitch Mouse Solves Maze Researchers Spent Months Building | The Onion - America's Finest News Source

Monkeys Fattened Up to Study Human Obesity - NYTimes.com

Calif. School First to Ban Dissections in Software Deal - Students to use free anatomy software instead of frogs

Freakonomics » Taking Lab Rats Seriously: The Case Against (Most) Animal Testing

Medical Student Charged With Killing 14 Dogs - Cops respond after tip that Italian greyhounds were disappearing

Richard Dawkins on vivisection: "But can they suffer?" - Boing Boing

Rats Necessary in Tinnitus Research–Teach Us About Working of Brain » Secondhand Smoke | A First Things Blog

Other issues (and in the news)

On 'lucky rabbits feet': http://boingboing.net/2011/10/26/why-are-rabbits-feet-considered-lucky.html
Locavore food truck story from a Friedman School grad: http://now.tufts.edu/articles/sustainable-me
Very disturbing: http://boingboing.net/2011/11/02/couples-nude-photo-shoot-inside-their-dead-horse.html

On Zoos and Aquariums

Cheetah sets a record...(but so what?): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-za0uk158FE
Australia zoo tour with Steve Irwin (portraying his signature 'hands on' technique...): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlDXZywedvc
A recent case of a trainer being hurt by an elephant (with PETA being ready to put in their two cents, of course): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8267P1cXdt8
I can't understand this, but the message is pretty clear: against Moscow-area zoos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5Fx88f7f1k
Local news clip on orca attack, trainer death, and PETA involvement: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoCYZSWsyDk&feature=related

Jean-Michel Cousteau's take on the issue: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fp8MkPyBE5A

On marine mammals in captivity in general, from Naomi Rose: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhM8y0sxqL4&feature=PlayList&p=E6973725DDC30648&playnext=1&index=5

Series of videos of forced circus-like behavior at Chinese zoos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmvTIkG5xpM
"Sad Eyes and Empty Lives": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuMy_hTYXOU
Jane Goodall on the merits of what zoos can do: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9eqh_kGg-Q&feature=related
World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), 'what we do' clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kz7tQIV3Jro&feature=related
Examples of stereotypies: (in circuses) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nq1Yw2ebE0o, at a Basel zoo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLmrG2Xr55I
An example of how zoo keepers really do care a lot for the animals (re. Galapagos tortoises, in this case): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXljBRVIO1w
We're not focusing on circuses, but there's lots of videos about these kinds of things...: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wjb3HjAYUY&feature=related
On the San Diego Zoo's California condor restoration efforts: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ootHa9RX4CM
Video rendition of (the gist of) a well-known essay by John Lilly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1l6z4BUUR1Y
On the victims of war--claimed Israeli attack on a zoo in Gaza (I don't know all the details here, to be honest): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9vhmaqAEHA (Some news coverage: http://www.salem-news.com/articles/june162009/idf_zoo_kill_gaza_6-16-09.php) (and some accompanying propaganda, of course....: http://www.americanfreepress.net/Supplements/NEW_Gaza_Zoo_Color_Flyer.pdf)
Local zoo (and other) news: http://bostonist.com/2010/11/05/animal_news_k-9_hoarders.php
(An activist's take on) the recent Zookeeper controversy: http://vegansaurus.com/post/7269301646/why-does-zookeeper-use-tai-the-abused-elephant
"5 Disgusting Stories of Captive Animal Abuse": http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/05/5-disgusting-and-depressing-stories-of-captive-animal-abuse.php
Gorillas and funny glasses: http://www.grist.org/article/2010-05-03-looking-at-gorillas-through-crazy-colored-glasses
China bans animal circuses (on paper, at least): http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/8266563/China-bans-animal-circuses.html
A recent piece on the case of 'panda diplomacy': http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/7999715/China-poised-to-sue-Japan-for-compensation-over-dead-panda.html
And speaking of food and captivity...the 'last meals' project: http://www.lastmealsproject.com/pages.html

Animals as Symbols

John Berger's famous Ways of Seeing (not specifically about animals, but parallels can be drawn): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnfB-pUm3eI
A very different--and quite odd--form of symbolism: the 'cheezburger empire': http://icanhascheezburger.com/

And speaking of cats, this is viral right now: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkOQw96cfyE&feature=player_embedded#!

An odd assortment of photoshopped animals: http://www.worth1000.com/contests/25501/animal-proportions-4
Medieval animal symbolism: http://medievalstudies.ceu.hu/projects/madness
One of very many examples of animals in (graphic) literature - Mouse Guard: http://www.mouseguard.net/
'Formal portraits' with animals: http://www.behance.net/gallery/Regresiones/262428
Masked monkeys...: http://www.theworldsbestever.com/2011/06/02/topeng-monkeys/
"Alan, Alan, Alan!": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hwLbhpatJo
Birds with arms - http://www.iywib.com/birds_with_arms.php
And then there's stuff like this...: http://www.clusterflock.org/2011/11/i-was-thinking-about-cats-again.html
"King Tut's Shrine: Animal Iconography": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDGp6BZz2pQ
This image has been getting a lot of (symbolic) play over the last few days: http://www.theatlanticwire.com/global/2011/11/black-rhinos-are-extinct-western-africa/44857/

And a video!: http://vimeo.com/31836285

Art Spiegelman lecturing on Maus: boingboing.net/2011/11/10/art-spiegelman-lecture-on.html

And more here: www.nybooks.com/blogs/nyrblog/2011/oct/20/why-mice/

Website of Boria Sax: http://www.boriasax.com/

An intreresting ppt, 'animals in human civilization' (with audio by Boria Sax): http://webcast.uis.edu/impatica/bsax2/AnimalsInHuman/player.html

On animals, symbols, and art: http://www.ourhenhouse.org/2011/10/myths-and-logos-exhibit-explores-animal-imagery-in-the-media/
And in other news: PETA, Mario, and Taiwanese animation: http://www.thisdishisvegetarian.com/2011/11/animation-pokes-fun-at-petas-criticism.html
Student uploads on animal symbols from my UML class earlier this semester: http://ikesharpless.pbworks.com/w/page/40756601/Fall%202011%20Political%20Thought%2C%20Ninth%20Upload

Animal Law

PBS Newshour clip on recent Supreme Court case on depictions of animal cruelty in crush videos, U.S. v. Stevens: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVSTkhcGxgE, and the ACLU's take on the same: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4xUyviw6zY (the ruling is available here: http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/09pdf/08-769.pdf)

Overview of the case in context: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=belnNgDBSx0&feature=fvw

Update from the Senate: http://www.aspca.org/blog/us-senate-passes-crush-act.html

Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) debate on 'animals as legal persons': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H38y2ZkwHaw&feature=channel
Video from a pet trust attorney: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0DM-Q-ku34
Handy overview, if a bit awkward: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yn1c3sX4qnw
Humane Legislative Fund's (HSUS's legal arm) "Humane Scorecard": http://www.hslf.org/humanescorecard/
A talk by judge Richard Posner: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJlR51GQepg
Speaking of out-of-context character assassination...a piece on Cass Sunstein (with admittedly controversial views!): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoiHIbwRhSo, a slightly longer clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaJ8VXYdBrg
ALDF link on animal law courses: http://aldf.org/userdata_display.php?modin=51
On the distinction (and confusion) of the common law / civil law difference: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyw15BRNn-Q
On the topic of Wills and Trusts: Leona Helmsley and an article by Jeffrey Toobin: http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/09/29/080929fa_fact_toobin
On a recent (and unsuccessful attempt) to get legal guardianship rights for pets in Switzerland: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/7373154/Switzerland-to-vote-on-appointing-lawyers-for-abused-pets.html (and a different perspective on the same issue: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703915204575103520836794314.html)
On eco- and animal 'terrorists', and the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA): http://www.greenisthenewred.com/blog/james-powers-environmentalists-timothy-mcveigh/3144

Available on Netflix WI, If a Tree Falls (about the Earth Liberation Front...biased, but quite good): http://www.ifatreefallsfilm.com/

Pet custody disputes: a legal primer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fi_Lq47MQxY

And on law more generally...

a debate between Steven Breyer v. Antonin Scalia: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXeUfVhDVUM
Defining and evaluating federal as against unitary systems: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_s5pbZMkmdM

an explanatory image: http://www.wellesley.edu/Polisci/tb/American_politics/lect_seven_I.jpg
Another image, on federalism in the US: http://www.quia.com/pages/ogtgovernment.html
A map of the world's federal states: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Map_of_federal_states.svg

Clip of 'Hamilton v Jefferson' from the excellent HBO miniseries, "John Adams": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=notJuFGXQ9w&feature=related

Other links

Hour-long PBS video, "My Life as a Turkey" (I've only watched a few minutes of this, but it looks really interesting): http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/my-life-as-a-turkey/full-episode/7378/
On a lighter note: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFiHJdJAQh4&feature=player_embedded
Red, a disturbing movie I liked a lot about a man and his dog (super spoiler-y, though...): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tI6TZUBW7TA

HAR, links to date