What would you do if no one could know?

2026 marks 40 years since Fred first convinced me to stop eating animals. Last week, a long-time friend asked me a question that prompted me to reflect on things I have (often reluctantly) learned during those decades.

One: The majority of advocacy is performative, aimed, consciously or not, at impressing other advocates. 

This has always been true - e.g., trying to get media coverage to show other advocates and donors. 

But of course this has been especially true since there have been likes and clicks. (A horrific yet insightful article about audience capture, which is where we, consciously or not, change our actions to get affirmation.)  

To quote Tim Ferris (writing about self-help): 

"If you couldn’t tell a soul about 'the work' you’re doing, would you still do it?"

IMO, you have probably not heard about the majority of work that is actually reducing extreme suffering. You hear about shrimp and expected value and puppies and Veganism Veganism Veganism. But you almost never hear about victories that have literally improved the lives of untold millions (billions?) of actually sentient beings - beings who otherwise would have been tortured. 

I am honored to know some of the people who have been doing that work, and inspired by the knowledge that there are others out there doing similar work that I don't know. Thank you all.