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.