why not vegan? - data-driven answers to common arguments

I am tired of seeing the same anti-vegan arguments recycled online.

Usually with no evidence and a lot of noise. So I built “Why Not Vegan?” as a small, statically served Next.js site to cut through the confusion with facts, citations, and a clean design.

Check it out here: whynotvegan.samu.space

# What is it?

It’s a simple site: you get a categorized list of the most common anti-vegan claims, each paired with a concise, evidence-based fact and at least one reputable citation. No fluff, no popups, no login.

# How it works

  • All arguments and facts live in a single JSON file. Each entry has an id, category, claim, fact, and citations.
  • The homepage gives you a category navigation, and a feed of argument cards.
  • Click a category to filter by topic (health, ethics, environment, etc).
  • Click “Read more” for a deep dive: bullet-point facts, all sources, and links to the original research.
  • You can a live counter of of how many animals are killed per second.

# Under the hood

  • Next.js with static generation (getStaticProps, getStaticPaths) for speed and simplicity.
  • TypeScript for type safety and maintainability.
  • TailwindCSS for minimal, readable styling.
  • Modular React components: ArgumentCard, CategoryNav, AnimalCounter.
  • No backend, no database—just static files and pure data. The whole thing can be hosted for free.

# User experience

  • Fast, mobile-friendly, and works offline.
  • Every claim is paired with a fact and at least one citation.
  • Animal kill counters are always visible for context.

# Why bother?

Debate is only useful if it’s grounded in reality. My hope is that this site makes it a little easier to have honest, data-driven conversations about veganism - whether you’re vegan, vegan-curious, or just skeptical.

If you spot an error, want to suggest a new argument, or have ideas for improvement, let me know.

Written on May 10, 2025

If you notice anything wrong with this post (factual error, rude tone, bad grammar, typo, etc.), and you feel like giving feedback, please do so by contacting me at hello@samu.space. Thank you!