Hi Saix! I'm glad you asked about this, as it was a particularly interesting factoid. You're correct in your statement that the body of the credit card is "man-made", that is to say, it's made from plastic, which is a refined form of oil. But that's where things start to break down a bit. First off, many vegans object to plastic altogether, as it is made from decomposed dinosaurs, making it an animal-based product. However, because they are already dead, and we are making use of their millions of years old corpses, that's not the root of the objection.

Why they object to credit cards in particular, is due to the fact that the magnetic strip is made of a cow-fat-based polymer. Normal plastics, because of the distinct chains in which they assemble when solidifying makes it nearly impossible to induce any sort of a charge, the molecules are far too long to be able to polarize. So credit card (in fact, any card with a magnetic strip) manufacturers use an animal fat to create the plastic used for the magnetic strip as it is able to both robustly bind with the card, as well as hold a magnetic charge for long periods of time.

I don't have the research in front of me about the animal oils used in paper money, but I would venture to guess it's mink oil. But there are literally thousands of ingredients that make up the pigment for a modern dollar. Anyone else care to shed some light?

They went with oxen hooves in the new formula? I was reading that they were considering that, but I thought there was no way they'd go through with it. I mean, I know it's a good way to help prevent counterfeiting, but it's going to increase the price of their ink quite a bit. Whatever... how much more could the dollar sink?

See, I was thinking about that, but if they don't like plastic, wouldn't computers be taboo as well? Or is he not that hard-core?

I always have a hard time understanding people that can't use computers. Our professor today was challenging us to see if we could last a full day without use of *any* form of "technology" (computer, car, radio...). I don't even have to try...I know I'd fail. Partly because at this point, most everything I'd be doing would be by myself.

It's always fun talking to people from "back in the old day" when they "didn't have no stinkin' computers".

I used a computer to look up the meaning of "orthodox vegan", then I threw my keyboard at a fat animal. Now THAT's what I call some weird paradox.

/I wish I could use the internet :(

Posted By: Udoboy

Posted By: NI17EG

Our professor today was challenging us to see if we could last a full day without use of *any* form of "technology" (computer, car, radio...).

Does your professor consider "architecture" a technological advance?

Well, of course, that's the problem. The wheel is a huge technological advance. Just ask the native americans circa 1500.

(ok ok -- I fixed the typo. 'ask' instead of 'as')

Yeah, I was actually thinking the exact same thing when I was writing my post =P. Maybe he meant "electronic". But that would be tough for people with pacemakers. Or automatic bathroom stuff.

My problem with automatic toilets is...they sometimes ignore me. They don't flush when I leave, so it's like they never noticed I was there. There's nothing quite so humiliating as being ignored by a toilet.

You could always phone and be like, "I forget, was I supposed to call you or was I supposed to wait and not call yet?". Thankfully, I have a memory lacking enough to get away with that sometimes.

Besides, if she's a therapist, she should be able to assume that perhaps you did actually forget.

I've been trying to get her to tell me to go to another doctor and get happy pills but it hasn't worked so far. (I'm not a drug addict, btw).....
Meh, didn't like her much anyway.