The Omnivore's Dilemma (ch.8,10,11), They Say I Say (ch.6,7), Writer's Resource

Chapters 8, 10, and 11 of "The Omnivore's Dilemma" (Pollan) detail the workings of Joel Salatin in his "grass farming." Though he raises a variety of livestock on his farm, and a small amount of crops as well, the life behind it all is simple green grass, which Salatin takes the utmost care in protecting and nurturing (without any pesticides or fertilizers, ironically). By having th livestock eat in a rotation of biggest to smallest in varying pastures, the grass replenishes itself, and is removed of parasites and bothersome plants. In addition, all the animals have enough to eat, and are pefectly healthy without antibiotics. Truly, Salatin's Polyface Farm sets the standard for simplicity, sustainability, and being organic, without ever calling itself so.

In addition, the link between grass and humankind is cemented in these chapters. People have relied upon grass since the dawn of man, when all were hunters of mammoths and other great animals. Since people could not eat the grass itself, they ate the animals that ate it, and consumed its nutrients secondhand. To keep the grass in good order was necessary for a stable supply of meat as well, so people often set fire to encroaching growths and beat back brush to keep the grasslands healthy and plentiful for meat animals. Eventually, some grasses (wheat, corn) came about that people could not only digest, but eat as a staple as well, outdoing their green predecessors. Agriculture soon followed, eliminating much need for hunting and allowing for domestication. Whether through animals or the plant itself, simple grass has been the underlying reason for humanity's success for millenia.

Chapters 6 and 7 of "They Say, I Say" (Graff) decribe how to bolster the arguement in a paper, ironically by bringing in outside opinions that contradict the main arguement. By planting quotes and point of opposing arguements ito one's essay, the main theme can appear reasonable by showing contrasting viewpoints, and stronger by proving them wrong. It is necessary, though, for all to relate to the main point, whether supporting or contradicting it.

MLA citations examples are as follows:
-Works Cited (Book): Author. Title. City of Publication: Publisher, Year Published.
-In-text citation (Book): (Author, Page number). -If no author, use title.
-Works Cited (website): Author. Title of Page. Home Page Title. Date posted (Year). Date Visited (month, day, year). Web link.
-In-text citation (website): (Author). -If no author, use page title.

The Omnivore's Dilemma (Ch 12-13), They Say I Say (Ch 4-5), Writer's Resource (p. 21-51) response + outside source

Chapters 12 and 13 of "The Omnivore's Dilemma" (Pollan) decribed the food and collective processes of Joel Salatin, the grass farmer who sets the high bar in being "organic." Salatin raises a variety of animals for meat on a large grassy field farm, but looks to raising grass first (as this sustains everything else). Few to no artificial processes exist; the animals are kept in barn-style pens at night (not cages as elsewhere), and are put into pasture in a rotating daily schedule. No fertilizers or vitamins are used, and much of the labor is done manually. Any farm products are then distributed into local markets (less than 1/2 day's drive away). Explicit detail was given to the nature of the livestock at the time of slaughter; chickens, for example, were killed in the most moderate numbers by hand (being bled out) before being plucked and drained by the few machines on the farm, and finally being cut open and removed of organs completely manually. All this was done under a small awning in a seperate field, using the sun to disinfect. The meat was then sent to local businesses, farmers markets, or the farm's main store itself for sale. Truly, the definition of "organic" is set by Salatine, who lives this concept in every concievable manner.

The mission for Salatin, it seems, is to be organic as possible without being condemned by the public eye. This organic system (self sustaining pastures, livestock, and distribution solely to local markets) is of great benefit; the animals are healthy naturally, are allowed loving human contact (by farmers, customers, or gawking visitors), are fed and rotated that the grass is well kept by preening and growth control, and have better taste/quality in the end. Additionally, less is spent on advertising (local trust and word of mouth are relied upon), and community bonds are strengthened by not only eating locally, but eating better as a result. As with all things, there are downsides; costs of food are higher (non-industrial farming aims for quality, not quantity, in market), the buying market is more limited, and the government constantly hounds Salatin for killing animals in the sun rather then in enclosed facilities. It all comes down to a great question literally plaguing the nation today; would one rather have satisfying higher-cost food, or food that, while cheap, never seems to satisfy? Salatin personifies the first, practicing and defending it with heart and soul.

Chapters 4 through 5 of "They Say I Say" (Graff) detail how to make one's arguement in accordance with the main point presented, and outside reference. Essentially, one needs to put their arguement into the form of a prompt summarizing the values they are trying to express; here, "what I say" is presented, response and much of the paper's backbone coming forth. One needs to make their arguement while not straying off target, and move outside resources to agree/disagree with the main point to ultimately prove it, all in a simutaneously personal and professional manner. Though some distinguishment is needed between fact, personal opinion, and outer research, overall flow is crucial.

Pages 21 through 51 of "A Writer's Resource" (Maimon) entailed how critical it is in any writing undertaking to have solid connection between the point put forth, its portrayal, and its reception by others. Many different errors can occur that may disrupt the connection between reader, author, and point, ultimately rendering the project a waste. Circular reasoning, for example, puts forth only the author's view in backing a point, not taking others into account and dissuading them as a result (good on author's part, bad on that of display and outside reception). This is not limited to literary works; visual aids need to keep strong bonds between, presenter, point, and audience. Unconsciously adhering to, say, bandwagon (assuming common knowledge on something when really the knowledge is diverse or unheard) is an error on a creator's part, which affects what others see and interpret (reception and portrayal may be acceptable, but author is wrong). Being critical overall is a necessity in any writing/explanatory feat.

Outside Source:
Piaget, Jean. "Ads For Unhealthy Foods Increase Children's Consumption 45%."
http://www.spring.org.uk/2009/11/ads-for-unhealthy-foods-increase-childrens-consumption-45.php

Jean Piaget's article "Ads For Unhealthy Foods Increase Children's Consumption 45%" explained how the rising amount of fat in the American people can be attributed to rise in advertisement of fatty foods. Through several surveys and tests, it was found that more people were likely to buy/consume advertised food than non-advertised (explaining the popularity of McDonalds vs that of, say, vegetarian living), especially those of younger years. The latter concept is used by businesses with a vengeance; younger customers will likely stay with one company's products as they age, creating dependable business clients, as they spread good news to friends and kin, and of course stay long with the company. Through advertising, an unconscious mental association is forged between a product and its desire by a person. An example is advertised low fat yogurt; through commercials and other advertising, it becomes mentally asscociated in a strong manner with food. Thus, when someone hungers for a snack, they will likely go for low-fat yogurt, benefiting the product's producers. Advertising is powerful, and large companies (like McDonalds or Yoplait) with large advertising budgets can get the most word out in America's capitalist society, securing both their own position and that of public health.

Reading Response, Chapter 9

This chapter from "The Omnivore's Dilemma" (Pollan) is aptly titled "Big Organic", a notably self-contradictory phrase. The bigger the company, and the wider it stretches, the more need it has to mass-produce and cut costs to stay competetive. For example, smaller local dairies produce fresh milk sold directly to local markets; larger ones such as Dairygold must chemically enhance their milk to help preserve it, and ship it hundreds of miles away to more foreign paying customers. However, much of the more modern population in America has become more critical about what they eat/drink, reflecting on the companies that provide sustinence. Since they want to have less chemicals in their ever-fattening bodies, Americans move toward the "organic" trend of foods, which companies who wish to keep large market shares quickly follow. Not suprisingly, what is labeled as "organic" becomes highly diverse, differing substantially throughout company, personal, and sociological views.

Sociologically, organic means "natural", "simple", or "clean/pure" in general. These few words are enough to spark outrageous controversy among people, though. Some say organic means farmed/grown without artificial fertilizers or pesticides, while others view the term to mean production of food with minimal technological impact, picked by Americans, unprocessed, perfect as is. While everyone tries to eat healthy nowadays, the current fat plague across America is pushing people to the most extreme "organic" possibilities. To keep business, companies reorganize to a more "organic" structure, but what this spells in changes differs vastly; some feed organic grain to caged cows, others sell only beef raised in unfenced, grassed prarie fields. Some sell corn washed without the worst of artificial cleaners (thus organic by comparison), while others process corn by hand in a more traditional manner. In any case, "organic" is more an idealism than reality; it only really exists to those who have moved so far from it that they feel things have to be changed by great standard for all (even outside this society) to become the new standard "organic"; its "natural" only because we eat in a greatly unnatural manner now.

Omnivore's Dilemma (2,6,7) + They Say I Say (1-3) response

Chapters two, six, and seven of "The Omnivore's Dilemma" (Pollan) gave insight into the present state of American health and dietary affairs through events unfolding for two centuries, accumulating into the current ironic issue: a plague of ever-over-bountiful corn. It was explained that this has been an problem in America since the nineteenth century (when cheap corn led to cheap corn-based alcohol, inciting great public drunkenness), simply now rearing more devastating harms (to the American body and people) than ever before.

A self-perpetuating cycle has developed in Iowa and other major corn states; one that keeps the price of corn spiralling down, along with the worth of the farmers. By stabilizing growing conditions better with new fertilizers and technologies, corn has been assured to always grow successfully, and grow in abundance; with that abundance, the price of corn drops, and the farmers recieve less for their yields. Thus, they must grow more corn to stll make a living, and more corn drives the price lower in turn.

If more corn was bought by consumers, the price would rise by the simple concept of supply and demand, but that same concept is doing the corn farmers in: people, though buying more corn-based foods (and growng fat and unhealthy from them) from cheap price, cannot buy enough to stem the tide of cheap corn. The corn supply grows faster than it can be consumed even by a gluttonous population, and the price falls, initiating more corn growth and consumption, ruining corn farmers and consumers alike.


Chapers one, two, and three of "They Say, I Say" (Graff) describe in detail how to properly formulate a convincing arguementative paper: by having in it a main point (with smaller others branching out), evidence from outside sources to support it, and a conflicting arguement with supporting evidence, all blenging together coherently. A counteractive point is needed to not only acknowledge conflicting arguements, but to show them wrong in their opposing view to the paper's major point or theme. In addition, these provide interst, which is bred from conflict. "Yes, yes, yes, yes" style will likely turn readers away; "yes, no, Yes, No, YES, NO" paper style will entice them (yes must somehow be victorious, though).

Of course, a paper must have backup in its fight to prove its point from outside sources; not only that, the sources must relate to the topic significantly, and formatted that the outer views and main paper focus are one and the same, not two entities. "I say the earth is round. Galileo said the earth is round 500 years ago. Here's why" keeps readers looking back and forth across a paper to tie points together. Instead, "I say the earth is round, drawing upon the .... evidence known since Galileo's time" creates a cohesive and interesting case.

2 paragraphs, first 2 class readings

The first part of "They Say, I Say" (Graff) described how best to structure one's writing to make it not only understandable, but appealing to others. Templates have been set up in the English writing style that allow one to take their argument and structure it in a format that will endear it to others; a great point will not be listened to if it makes a poor first impression. This frees up the mental capacity of how to write, and allows one to focus more on what to write. In addition, any literary work must make one central point, but not just that: it must make an argument, and have comparison to that argument (having one single repeating message puts off potential readers). Conflict breeds interest. In conclusion, keep one style and message central, writing on from there.

The first part of "The Omnivore's Dilemma" (Pollan) explains the title: an explanation of eating habits, of choice in diet, of potential health risks from them, and how they all relate. Much is focused in America, where people are constantly hit with a barrage of eating options, grow diverse in health and personal dietary habits, and move blindly and fanatically toward an ideal food stability as a result. People will eat anything appealing almost at first glance, from children refusing vegetables for cookies, to adults turning down salad for steak. As great omnivores, people have a choice of what to eat, which has lead to the greatest achievements and disasters of food, and the Earth, in history. "The Omnivore's Dilemma" reflects America's omni-culture: all-consuming, all-encompassing, and through this, all-degrading.