Defenders Of Humans And The Natural World

Video about this coming soon.

1 day ago | [YT] | 34

Defenders Of Humans And The Natural World

Fragile ego
Dogmatism
Power play
Fear of uncertainty

1 day ago | [YT] | 39

Defenders Of Humans And The Natural World

Feeling bummed out and looking for support which is not something I normally do. Because I usually feel undaunted and determined and tough as a honey badger.

Not today.

After sending her my book for consideration, I agreed to be interviewed by Tracie Hotchner for her Dog Talk radio program/podcast. Her show has tens of thousands of listeners. My interview took place over Zoom today and will be broadcast/streamed, unedited, sometime in November. She said she will also upload the video of the interview to her YouTube channel.

So I guess my grand face reveal is coming in November, lol.

When I asked her before the interview if she could help me prepare for it by sending me a list of questions she was hoping to ask, she told me she does not prepare questions, that it would be an organic conversation, and not to worry - she would put me at ease.

The interview lasted about 25 minutes, and I did not feel at ease at all. I felt she was challenging me from the get go and for the entirety of the interview. She disagrees with my book’s premise and conclusion. I felt she was trying to paint me as someone whose arguments are unreasonable and driven by emotion. That my ideas have been formulated “in a vacuum.” That my view of dog owners is skewed and based on bad personal experience. That I just need to “get off social media” because “the internet is toxic” and “not all dog owners are bad.” I felt I was having to defend myself against all of these accusations and therefore never got around to saying the things I was really hoping to say about my book.

I don’t think she was ever interested in talking about my book.

I feel like I was led into a trap in which I had to struggle and defend myself. It felt like a set up. To make me look bad.

I’d call the interview an absolute flop.

What else was I to expect from a dog lover, eh? I’ve been trying to get the word out about my book because the message is so important, but I am feeling very demoralized by what happened today.

I keep telling myself all publicity is good publicity, but holy smokes do I feel shitty right now.

People think I’m a robot because I try to keep my videos purely analytical and free of emotion. Well, this robot has tears in her eyes right now.

5 days ago | [YT] | 37

Defenders Of Humans And The Natural World

What It Really Means To Love Dogs is currently in stock at the following locations (this list is growing):

Bolen Books Inc.
111-1644 Hillside Ave
Victoria BC

The Creative Bookworm
20438 Douglas Cres.
Langley, BC

Armchair Books
4205 Village Square
Whistler, BC

Books & Company
1685 3rd Ave
Prince George, BC

Octopus Books
116 Third Avenue at Bank St.
Ottawa, ON

Books on Beechwood
35 Beechwood Ave
Ottawa, ON

It should be available to order at every other bookstore worldwide.

1 week ago | [YT] | 7

Defenders Of Humans And The Natural World

I just noticed a couple of new, beautiful reviews on Amazon and wanted to thank those who took the time to write them. It is deeply appreciated! Please keep them coming! 🩷

1 week ago | [YT] | 5

Defenders Of Humans And The Natural World

Hey everyone! I just revised my book’s cover. The subtitle now appears in a larger font, and the back cover now includes three editorial reviews. Changes should appear on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and IngramSpark within 72 hours.

If you resonate with the arguments presented on this channel, you are sure to enjoy this book which puts them together in an easy-to-read, easy-to-share, portable form.

If you haven’t done so already, pick up your copy soon!

Makes a great gift!

And if you have read it, please consider leaving an honest review on Amazon. It will help to make the book more attractive to potential buyers and to spread the message far and wide. We will change the world! 🩷

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2 weeks ago | [YT] | 31

Defenders Of Humans And The Natural World

My book received another endorsement! 🎉🎉🎉

"Melina Jacques has written a thought-provoking and highly controversial examination of our relationship with dogs. Her thesis challenges deeply entrenched assumptions about what it means to live with and care for dogs, and she makes a compelling case for reconsidering many of those assumptions. Jacques knows she is swimming against a powerful current, yet she goes forward determined and undaunted. I admire that. This is a worthwhile and provocative contribution to the literature on our relationship with other animals, and one that deserves a wide readership."

- Jonathan Balcombe, Ph. D., ethologist, and author of What a Fish Knows and Beyond Tooth and Claw

3 weeks ago (edited) | [YT] | 50

Defenders Of Humans And The Natural World

3 weeks ago | [YT] | 38

Defenders Of Humans And The Natural World

My poll has been up for just 10 hours and has 31 votes. The majority (87%) agree I should allow trolls, saying they argue our case beautifully. Here is a recent example:

4 weeks ago | [YT] | 43

Defenders Of Humans And The Natural World

I recently learned that comments affect the algorithm, and the more comments a video gets, the more likely it is to be recommended to others. I know many of you agree these videos need to reach a wider audience. Which is why I’ve been engaging with trolls in the comments under my more recent videos. Or at least tolerating hostile/antagonizing comments and not hiding them. In the past, I’d hide them because I felt they polluted the comments’ section. Now I’m not so sure that was the best move. I know there’s no getting through to them, but by engaging with the trolls, I find myself sharing information in my replies that I think could be useful to curious, open-minded viewers who happen to read through the comments.

The antagonizers don’t bother me. I am fascinated by their hostility, and I think, if tolerating their presence is the price of boosting engagement (and thereby increasing the chances of my videos being seen by more people), then I’m happy to pay it, especially since other viewers could find my responses enlightening or useful in some way.

But at the same time, I’m aware that some of you may not appreciate the presence of trolls in the comments, especially since I have a history of hiding them and maintaining a safe, welcoming space for dog critics.

So I’m torn and would like to know your thoughts. Should I:

4 weeks ago | [YT] | 32