The system is setup to make us addicted (edit: I don’t mean ‘setup’ as a conspiracy, although I don’t exclude that either, but as a natural consequence of the profit-motive, the foundation of the capitalist system): sugar, sex, meat, smoking, food, alcohol, salt, coffee, money, news, facebook, gambling, cars, clothes, hair-styles, exercise, you name it. Then addictions become normalized, consciously and unconsciously (Kevin Rudd, Australia's Prime Ribister for a long weekend or so) would invite world leaders over 'for a barbie' and a beer. Vegans are laughed at by the meat-eaters. To them I say: try to give up meat for a year and see how easy that is. Their response: Why would I? Being addicted is the easy way. You think you feel good, but in reality you are getting a little worse, day by day. But it's comfortable in the moment. It takes courage to quit what you are used to, to give up what feels comfortable, to choose pain instead. I gave up smoking, meat, alcohol, sugar, salt and coffee. Giving up was hard. Giving up meat was painful for the first 3 years (living in Australia of all places!). Yet I am successful in ditching all those habits. All but one. You see? If you are conscious of what you do then you are still in control. Choose your poison (and your dosage!). At least that's how I rationalize my decision to give into this one vice. Now excuse me it's time for my daily cuppa ;)