I think the fact is that most of the things you listed are true, to a certain extent, though you do not carry the sole burden of every chicken. (And in the context of the comic, the specific species there imply that he was an avid hunter and did, literally take the lives of those creatures himself. He was, perhaps, also a farmer.)

There is "no ethical consumption under capitalism" and "the only way to live a life free of sin is not to live at all" (sin here defined as "actions causing negative externalities"). Every action has consequences, but I think it's just about understanding that we do carry some culpability for the far-reaching consequences of our actions. Trying to minimize those with the resources we can afford should be a touchstone for all of us. We probably shouldn't be buying a bunch of chocolate, not only because the vast majority of chocolate is FULL of DEEPLY unsafe levels of lead and cadmium, but also because much of it is produced with slave labor.

However, the person hounding you above needs to see to their own house. If they are so high and mighty as to try to shame you, (which, make no mistake, they were absolutely doing despite their claim to the contrary) then it is they, not you, who should be ashamed.

When it comes to how you eat, many vegans claim moral superiority because they have the privilege of time and resources to be able to afford a vegan lifestyle. Most of them respond that all it takes is switching to plant protein and buying fruits and veggies, but then they conveniently leave out that not everyone has the luxury of time necessary to perform proper meal preparation for their families. I'm a pescetarian, and I believe that I have to be mindful of the systems I support by continuing to live... Full stop. I don't need to shame a bunch of people to make my own choices seem more holy. It seems like the commenter above thinks they do. We are, all of us, part of systems of exploitation. What we need is education, so that we all understand the systems in which we take part, so that we can grasp which systems are necessary (for now), which can be replaced, and from which we might cut ourselves loose to end them. You have clearly already been educated on these systems, so that dude lecturing you serves no purpose save their own self-aggrandisement

So it is true that we contribute some small part to the demand for meat when we purchase it but, to quote my favourite book: "You have to do whatever you can't not do".

If that means considering the moral effects of every choice, then you must do so. If that means trying desperately to survive in a world run by Corpocratic Christofascists bent on the subjugation of all life for their sole benefit, then you have to do what you must to live.

I would say that that's more if those products are bought new. The moneyless Buy Nothing sub-economy/movement helps a lot.

There is literally no way to eat meat (i guess lab grown but that's very recent, though arguably might be further developed if not capitalism) that doesn't involve killing an animal. It's not capitalism. The horrible living conditions somewhat are, but still nothing is forcing you to eat meat at all.

And yes by buying ultra cheap clothing you're demanding labor exploitatipn. Probably the biggest difference with meat though is that it's not even more expensive to not eat it lol. Buying meat from animals that actually had a decent life is, but that's not the only option.

I eat meat myself but your argument just doesn't hold.

Clothes and cars are a bit complicated since they are often essential, and the more ethical options are more expensive so not everyone can afford them. I'd still say those who could buy the more ethical options ought to do so.

Meat and coffee are resource intensive goods with cheaper alternatives which cause way less suffering.

So yes, paying people to mistreat humans without need is cruel. Paying people to brutalize animals to death is cruel too. One logically can't justify the other.

Where have we gone wrong that people always feel the need to argue for putting animals into literal death camps, of all things? I just wish people would strive to make the world a less cruel place for once, but that is just too much to ask for in this society.