There is obviously waaay more to the whole veganism movement than the amount of people that identify themselves as strict vegans at any given time

I disagree. Can you handle that? LOL Ir are you going to start crying like a baby again? LOL

To think otherwise is obviously simplistic, and someone so hung up on statistical integrity should know that.

Disagree again! Can you handle that? LOL

Also, you're just brushing aside other findings that show an increase in people who identify as vegan.

It's appropriate to go with the most reliable source. To think it isn't, is ridiculous.

Again, you're not a divinely appointed "Czar of Veganism" that gets to speak for everyone.

And neither are you...

One thing is clear, is that the topic has become a bigger part of mainstream discussion in the past few years. That much is obvious to anyone with eyes and ears, who has been paying attention. Anecdotal as it may be. Although, I'm sure Google search trends could provide you with the hard data that you're looking for.

Discussion is irrelevant and so is google tends if people are not actually becoming vegan.

Meat consumption in America is falling, at a significant pace, according to the USDA.

That's irrelevant. Veganism is not about just not eating meat. It isn't even about food to begin with...

Veganism isn't something you get to fold up and keep in your back pocket.

Veganism has a clear definition. It isn't just whatever you want you want it to be.

Maybe you're one of those vegans whose entire identity is wrapped up in it, and want to be the unique rebel forever?

Maybe you are one of those vegans who doesn't even know what veganism is...to begin with...That would not surprise me.