In this excerpt from Matthew Scully's "Dominion," the author discusses the widespread concern surrounding the treatment of animals in various contexts such as farming, sport hunting, and scientific experimentation. He portrays a shared sense of outrage among readers towards these issues, indicating that they are aware of the unethical practices involved. However, while condemning these actions is generally accepted, proposing substantial changes can be met with resistance, as it often seems radical to advocate for their complete abolition.

Scully highlights the challenge of transitioning from expressing indignation to taking meaningful action. He points out that there exists a thin line between mainstream views on animal welfare and fringe opinions that call for more drastic measures. The difficulty lies in transforming awareness and concern into effective advocacy that truly enhances the welfare of animals. Acknowledging the problems is straightforward, but effectively mobilizing for a change often requires navigating societal norms and perceptions about animal rights.