But for those of us who are more than happy to enjoy meat, veganism often doesn't mean either health or ethics, it means people who go without some of the best food and often feel superior about it.
Not saying that this view of veganism is correct or fair, just that that's the immediate connection.
I don't think its an unfair commentary, since even the poster you're responding to suggested veganism has much to do with ethics.
Presumably those who feel they are behaving ethically by committing an action, also feel that those who do not follow their standards are less ethical. That's the feeling of superiority that wafts off vegans.
I'm not entirely sure it's a requirement, personally I feel it's more ethical to cycle than to drive a car - but when I do cycle, I've never felt superior to anyone at all.
Then again, I regularly use taxis, get lifts... so maybe I am to anti-car-cyclists as people who occasionally go a day without meat are to vegans.
This is a contradiction. Either you believe the action is ethically superior or you don't. It makes no sense to believe it's ethically superior except when you do it. I would very much hope you believe you're doing the right thing.
I think you're confusing the belief that your actions are superior with the action of being a dick. They're not directly related — it's just that the latter is likely to reveal the former.
Is it impossible to think that something you do is a more ethical thing to do than something someone else does without a.) judging the person who isn't doing it or b.) at least thinking that their decision not to do it is wrong?
Sure. It's more ethical for an self-professed alcoholic to not drink, as their alcohol consumption likely affects others. That said, it's easy to not drink alcohol and not judge others for drinking it.
That said, do that too often, and you're just around a bunch of annoying drunk people...
Exactly! Just like people who aren't infovegans think that infoveganism just means eschewing mainstream media and feeling superior about it! It's a perfect analogy!
Not saying that this view of veganism is correct or fair, just that that's the immediate connection.