The Omnivore's Dilemma 287-333

This section discussed the approach by the omnivore in food selection. Pollan references a study done by Rozin, in which rats and humans were observed in the way they select what to eat. I found it interesting the way a rat will test a small piece of a substance and wait to see if it makes them sick. If it does, they are able to connect the sickness to the yucky food they ate a half hour before, and code this into their brains so it doesn't happen again. Humans do much of the same thing. If Jack In the Box made me sick, I would be very hesitant to try eating there again.

Last semester I took Psychology and this semester I am in Sociology and Anthropology, the topics Pollan introduced about the cultural, and psychological aspects of food choice made a lot of sense to me since I could relate them to the things I've learned about in other courses. For example Pollan explains we relive the 'omnivore's dilemma' in deciding if eating meat is ethical. My dad always says "If God didn't want us to eat animals why did he make them out of meat?" This approach to Pollan's question is on the far end of the spectrum. The other end, the polar opposite, states that animals have feelings and rights just like people and deserve 'life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness' without people trying to consume them. My opinion is people need to eat meat to survive and get all the nutrients they need. The circle of life includes living and die in accordance with the food chain. We should however, make our best attempts to be ethical and humane in the raising and processing of animals because they are capable of feeling pain and deserve this treatment.

Omnivore's Dilemma Ch. 10

The title of chapter sets the wheels in motion, "Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Pasture" seemed like an opinion the 13 ways Pollan sees a pasture. This doesn't mean there aren't other ways to look at a pasture. The first idea Pollan brings up is a metaphor comparing a society of people is similar to a patch of grass. Each is made up of tiny parts that seem almost identical to the other 'individuals' around them. This is interesting once he expands on exactly what he means. Pollan uses an example in which he personifies the ideas and thoughts of cow when the animal is grazing and thus noticing the various varieties of grasses. This thought pulls together the patch of grass/ society metaphor by saying, to a grass novice, the individuals are indistinguishable. However to an expert in grasses, a cow, the patch has much more individuality. Other humans recognize the diversity of the blades of grass around them.

Later in the chapter Pollan makes a very impressionable statement; "In fact, grassing over that portion of the world's cropland now being used to grow grain to feed the ruminants would offset fossil fuel emissions appreciably." To even wrap your mind around how astronomical that trade-off is. However, there would surely be a big deal in feeding our nation's people. We have an ever-growing population and technology really needs to keep up with our growing numbers. This relates to our life right now. And Pollan does such a great job explaining that importance and the urgency behind it.

Omnivore's Dilemma Ch. 12, 13

"Slaughter" as chapter twelve is titled, has a passage within it's first couple pages where Pollan describes Joel's reasons for killing and processing his own chickens. These reasons extend a vast range of aspects including economic, ecological, political, ethical, and even spiritual. These seem a bit unclear, even to Pollan, until the process is described.

Immediately I picture an episode of Dirty Jobs where Mike Rowe is subjected to the icky tasks of private business owners. This reality TV cover helps me to read through the gory parts I'd rather skip. Pollan is such a good sport throughout too, which allows me to compare him even more to Mike Rowe. He begins by conquering his fear of killing a chicken. Simply reading about his experience made me sick to my stomach and also, deep down, appreciate those honest farmers who still raise and process their chickens by hand. At least, I guess, the chickens lived a somewhat normal life, not like factory raised chickens whose beaks are cut when they are days old to avoid pecking due to the literal absence of personal space for the chicks as they grow. It took me awhile to get through these two chapters because of the difficult subject matter. I'm not much of a meat-eater myself and didn't enjoy the bloody details of how they move from farm to food.