From The Vegan (Spring 1988):
Getting it Taped: The Rights
of Animals
3 x 30 minute cassettes
Tom Regan & Andrew Linzey McCrimmon Publishing
In a time when instant access is a must for any message, a series of
tapes on animal issues seems a good idea. The substance of these tapes
is reliably excellent: Tom Regan and Andrew Linzey are, as the presenter
constantly reminds us, intellectual and spiritual leaders of the animal
rights movement.
The basic questions on subjects like the use of animals for food,
clothing, experimentation and hunting are dealt with carefully and
skillfully in order not to alienate even the most hostile listener. For
those with intellectual aspirations, more esoteric approaches are
touched upon. There is much here from which we can all learn, if not
from the facts and opinions then from the style.
However, the execution does not fully match the conception. With the
obvious exception of Messrs Regan and Linzey's spontaneous originality
of argument the presentation is poor: from the cover design through to
the thinly researched accompanying literature there are glaring
omissions. This is compounded by the ineptitude of the interviewer,
betraying an obvious lack of concern by his poor research. Not a sharp
enough antagonist and in no way the interviewees' equal he is at times
quite obviously struggling to keep up. One feels that the Professor and
the Reverend might have been better tested by the earnest opinion of
"the man in the street".
Aside from those of partisan interests who should be able to make
good use of them, the tapes are aimed at students and church groups in
particular. These people are likely to suffer from this poor
presentation and inadequate back up material for as a whole the package
is not stimulating enough to stir and direct their interest. In turn
their lack of enlightenment is likely to ensure that animals will
continue to suffer. This medium ain't the message.
Reviewed by Geoff Francis
Reproduced with thanks.
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