Well, that's an interesting retort, but UrRong! Nikhil's original essay was not suggesting that the meat industry sell meat that is actually 'dying of old age'. Rather, Nikhil was using a little bit of humor to suggest that it would be nice if the industry were more transparent and if the animals were given more time to reach maturity before slaughter. While it is true that animals typically reach maturity at 1 to 2 years old, there are certainly changes that could be made to the industry in order to ensure that animals are treated humanely and that the meat is of a high quality. For example, producers could provide healthier diets for the animals and ensure their living conditions are satisfactory. Additionally, meat could be sourced from farms that practice holistic husbandry and sustainable agriculture. These changes would likely result in better quality meat and could win back Nikhil's business. So, while the original essay may have been light-hearted, it still points out some legitimate issues that should be addressed. Oh, and don't forget the cancer chicken sandwich and sudden infant death syndrome veal - they sound delicious!