[circlecity]

"Our collective affinity for meat likely began out of circumstance — humans that lived inland from the coast had little choice but to hunt in order to live"

The only difference between living "inland from the coast" in this regard is that one area has seafood and the other doesn't. And fish are meat. I think the real reason would be more that meat has lots of protein, protein creates muscle and muscle makes one stronger. In a dog eat dog world where survival depended strength the meat eaters would prevail. Other than beans, there isn't much, if any, protein in most veggies.

[Boogieman]

“The only difference between living “inland from the coast” in this regard is that one area has seafood and the other doesn’t.”

If they are talking historically, then it makes sense. Until relatively recent times, agriculture was not very viable unless you were in an rich delta or flood plain, which tend to be found near the coasts. You could grow stuff in other areas if there was enough rainfall, but without knowledge of fertilizer, crop rotation, etc, that would only last a few years before the soil wouldn’t cooperate any more.

[Sherman Logan]

I think the real reason would be more that meat has lots of protein, protein creates muscle and muscle makes one stronger. In a dog eat dog world where survival depended strength the meat eaters would prevail.

When the Sikhs abandoned pacifism for armed resistance to Muslim persecution, their leaders ordered them to begin eating meat so they'd become stronger.

Really, really important in a world where disputes were settled by hand to hand combat. Even more than on today's battlefield.