Post #7

The Norman Borlaug Article is a scholarly written article so it is not something that is meant to be read casually but rather by educated people, putting some serious thought into the meaning. The author did not cater this with normal day language but rather large words that I, admittedly, had to look up to refresh my memory. Once I got past the complexity of the writing I found the article quite intriguing. One thing I found interesting was increase in trans-genetic crops in three years, from just about two million to 40 million in such a short time period, which is a massive increase. The article was very well written by showing both sides of the aurgument, like the factions who want to the ban of GMO’s, he gives them credit by saying that they have helped the passing of some clean air acts and pollution acts. After he introduces the naysayer he then he criticizes the opposition by asking how they expect to feed the massive increase in population in the coming years. I have different views on the author’s points. I believe that we do need to figure out a way to feed the growing population, but that does not mean that there is not a better way than using GMO’s which will eventually not be able to support the world’s growing population.

Blog #6

In Chapter 15 of The Omnivore’s Dilemma Pollan begins talking about the hunter/gatherer food chain. Pollan makes an entire meal out of food that he had hunted and gathered himself. Pollan talks about how this is not practical present day but is just a good thing to get connected to the earth. This is because you never actually have to hunt or gather to survive but can just go to the market.
In Chapter 18 and 19 Pollan describes the process he went through to get the food for his meal. In 18 Pollan and his friend Angelo shoot a wild pig, Angelo is especially helpful for Pollan because he teaches Pollan almost everything about hunting and gathering. In 19 Pollan talks about how he gathered the fungi for his meal.
In Chapter 20, titled “The Perfect Meal”, talks about the best meal in Pollan’s opinion. It is quite impressive how Pollan put together his meal that he hunted and gathered all of the food because I could never do something like that.
Overall I am glad that this book is over, I agree with most of his views but the reading was just to dry for me and was a struggle to get through.