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June 27, 2006
CrustaCution
Lobsters and crabs have feelings too
How a Lobster Leaves the Building, an article from the June 25 NY Times, focuses on The CrustaStun created by British barrister Simon Buckhaven. In a nutshell (or lobster trap), the CrustaStun is a tool for the humane killing of lobsters and crabs; exit scalding water, enter electricity.
Crusta, of course, is short for crustacean. To stun is to stupify and daze, so let me get this straight. If you stun something, you're dazing it. Zapping that thing with electricity is electrocution. Right? Right. Does the lobster suffer less via electrocution? Since no one is in the porta-cutioner with the lobster, how do we know it ISN'T screaming OUCH!!! ?
After the lobster or crab is immersed and the lid is sealed, a button is pushed to deliver the fatal jolt; evidently lobsters expire within 5 seconds, while the poor crabs must endure 10 seconds.
You're killing them via electrocution, you're not stupifying or dazing them. What's next, contraptions that spare the feelings of cows, buffalo, chicken, etc.? Was there a lobster revolt? Did they up and wave their claws in the air protesting the boiling method? ;-)
Cindy
Comments
The advertisement says, "it is a blessing to the chef and processor!" (even reads like it is a miracle product.) The truth with this product is that DARPA was working on a devise to stun idiots, terrorists, and anyone that did not conform to a specific way of thinking - the the realm of patriotism. They were brainstorming at a Homeland Security-sponsored lobster dinner and someone said, "I wonder what will happen?" Future models of the same device, marketed to humanely kill things, are called the Cowstunned, Chickenfriedalittle, and Zapanidiot (human consumption model.) There is an online device in testing for perverted folks into porn called "zapnotwhack."
Brain matter deposited by: mr tan on June 28, 2006 4:43 PM
So where is this leading? Should we insist that our lobsters be executed via chemical injection? Is there a more humane way to kill a lobtser? Let's do a reality check. You're gonna' kill the thing, boil it, rip it out of its shell, and then eat it. Are you really concerned about how the little guys psyches are going to react to all of this? Ohmygosh! The lettuce heads were hacked off with a machete! Oh the horror!
Brain matter deposited by: mike on June 28, 2006 5:03 PM
Mike - that's the quote of the day: "Ohmygosh! The lettuce heads were hacked off with a machete! Oh the horror!" *chuckle*
Mr. Tan - nevermind this. Better go check on the 'rents as that area is under water.
Brain matter deposited by: Cindy on June 28, 2006 5:21 PM
Oh my!
I can't eat lobster. I feel sorry for them.
Watching diners in restaurants choosing a lobster in the tank to eat makes me feel sick.
The poor wee things.
Brain matter deposited by: Piggy and Tazzy on June 29, 2006 4:03 AM
My understanding is that crustaceans don't feel pain because their nervous systems are wired differently.
That said, I don't like lobster and crab is way too much work for what you get. I'll have a humanely bottled water, thank you.
Brain matter deposited by: Ted on July 1, 2006 10:59 PM