Food, Inc.

     After watching Food, Inc. I found myself being completely shocked by how much of the food industry deliberately conceals from us. Before watching this documentary I did have some notion that there was a food “industry”, yet I did not realize the extent of how commercialized this industry has become and how processed our food actually is. When I went home after watching the movie, I sat back looking at my dinner plate. I actually hesitated before eating, something that I never do. Even though I’m a foodie and still ate my dinner, I decided that I would make a more conscience effort when it comes to deciding what to eat in the future. My biggest impression in the film came from the untimely death of a young boy. I felt such pity for Kevin. It is unfathomable that a perfectly healthy child was killed by the negligence of our industry. The E-coli virus should not have any place in it.  We should be more diligent when it comes to the safety and cleanliness of our food. His mother has been fighting for years to pass “Kevin’s Law” (a law that would help reduce pathogens in meat and poultry) for years and still faces being consistently ignored.

     What stood out the most for me in this film were the farmers. The local farmers who were being completely dominated by these buying monopolies. Farming was once their pride and joy and now some farmers find themselves shackled by their own profession. They are in debt, being forced to give up their integrity and have no choice but to obey major corporations. One example would be the overproduction of corn. Farmers are producing so much of it that scientists came up with ways to do more with it. In other words scientists have been creating, high fructose corn syrup, xanthan gum and more additives out of corn. The government even pays farmers to overproduce this crop. Over 90% of processed food products have some traces of corn within them. Aside from that this excess corn is being used to feed cows. Cows are supposed to be fed grass, but instead they are being fed cheap corn which is hard to digest. This then can produce the E-Coli virus in a cow’s stomach. The cows are so tightly packed together, that then they all catch the virus. Another problem would be that farmers are forced to grow chickens faster. Chickens usually needed three months to grow, yet are now grown within half the time. They are bigger because of the hormones they are grown with. Their bodies can’t support the weight so these poor chickens live a life of torture. They sit in their own excrement unable to support their weight never seeing the sun. Monopolies such as Tyson and Perdue have forbade farmers from showing this truth. One farmer that showed the inside of a chicken house had her contract terminated. Companies like these have forced farmers to go in such debt, without providing them with any monetary compensation. These farmers have basically sold their soul to the devil.

     I like that this film interviewed such a large spectrum of people. So many perspectives were shown. It was unfortunate that the the perspectives of monopolies could not be shown because they refused to be interviewed. I did not like the graphic nature of this film just because I do not like to see farm animals and people undergo such torture. Even though it was not easy to watch, it was essential in the film. These images reveal the truth and the extent of the food “industry’s ugly secrets”. We can not always sugarcoat life.

      If I were to create a food formula I would make it short and simple. I would say try to eat food that is organic, take advantage of shops such as “Trader Joe’s” (the food is organic and more affordable), eat foods that are less healthy(processed) in moderation, drink plenty of water, and exercise regularly. I would follow this formula because it does not force a person to be perfect. You are trying your best and making a conscience effort to eat better. Even if you can’t always follow a food formula, it is better to try to improve than to be completely oblivious to what you are putting into your body.

McDonaldization vs. Dehumanization

 Eric Schlosser’s essay “What We Eat” addresses the impact of the fast food industry on America. He argues that fast food has expanded so rapidly that it “has helped to transform not only the American diet, but also our landscape, economy, workforce, and popular culture. Fast food and its consequences have become inescapable”(668). In other words we have not realized the magnitude of the fast food industry.

     In order to explain how the fast food industry has affected the economy, workforce, and popular culture, Schlosser uses a mixture of writing techniques. For examples, he uses description to explain the experience of entering a fast food restaurant. “Pull open the glass door, feel the rush of cool air, walk in, get on line, study the backlit color photographs above the counter, place your order, hand over a few dollars, watch teenagers in uniforms pushing various buttons, and moments later take hold of a plastic tray full of food wrapped in colored paper and cardboard.”(668). He evokes pathos to show how buying fast food is almost second nature. It is a routine. We don’t think about what we are buying, how good the quality of the food is, or if small business farmers have been replaced by major corporations. 

       Definition is used when Schlosser elaborated on the term “McDonaldization”. This term meant that as the fast food industry increases it poses a “threat to independent business” and serves as a “homogenizing influence on American life”(669). This sense of “uniformity” makes people rely on fast food. They know that if they go to any franchise they will receive the exact same thing. This means that there is equality, and everyone is treated exactly the same. Comparing and contrasting is used in the essay to show how the fast food industry over time. At first there was more skilled labor in the industry and a varied workforce. There were also less fast food establishments. Now “McDonald’s Corporation has become a powerful symbol of America’s service economy” and “has about thirty thousand restaurants worldwide” (668). The workers are usually teens too. The preparation of food does not require skilled labor, so these chains can pay low wages and hire large amounts of unskilled laborers.

     Process analysis is used to describe on how rapidly the food is prepared and served. “Most fast food is delivered to the restaurant already frozen, canned, dehydrated, or freeze-dried. A fast food kitchen is merely the final stage in a vast and highly complex system of mass production (671).” Schlosser uses this to express how systemic we are becoming. We are not focussing on quality, but rather quantity. The personal touch along with our humanity is being diminished by this industry. Convenience is relied on too much and we do not understand what the value of this food truly is.

     Schlosser’s decision to incorporate all these methods is what makes his argument so strong. He can provide evidence in different ways. These methods help readers better understand a topic, relate to it and analyze it further. The essay flows and is informative because of these methods. If he chose to focus on method his essay may have become dull. Even though I found Schlosser’s essay to be very informative, I would have changed the way he organized it. I feel that he jumps around a bit too much. It would have been more effective if he grouped how the food is prepared with the small farmers portion. He leaves that off until the tail end of the essay. It should have been addressed earlier. I also think he should have explained why fast food is so bad for our health. He mentions that there are harmful substances in this food, but not what they do to us directly.

      I have to say that I do agree with his argument. The fast food industry is definitely taking over. We have to realize its impact on society. It is a shame that so many small business are being trumped by it, and that obesity is spreading. We are brainwashed consumers. I am a foodie and I always trying to find a small restaurant that is not necessarily a chain. Quality means something to me, and I do enjoy that there is effort and creativity put in to what I am eating. For me the fast food industry has destroyed the art of food. This essay helped reinforce my dislike of the fast food industry. I will definitely continue to boycott it and search for restauranteurs that take pride in their work.

Proud to be an American?

     Comparing and contrasting are important elements within writing because they help hi-light the differences and similarities of certain topics. By comparing and contrasting we can make connections between topics or ideas, or instead distinguish them from one another.  When we establish relationships using comparing and contrasting a topic is analyzed. These elements give us a precise understanding of a topic, instead skimming its surface. 

       In Bharati Mukherjee’s essay “Two Ways We Belong in America,” we are given two different views of how two sisters assimilate to living in America. Bharati compares and contrasts her experiences of living in America to her sister Mira’s experiences. Mira viewed America as a place to study and work. She never truly accepted it as her home. Mira preserved her Indian culture and kept close ties with her mother country. “After 36 years as a legal immigrant in this country she clings passionately to her Indian citizenship and hopes to go home to India when she retires,” said Bharati (p.273). Bharati saw America as her home. She left her culture on the back burner in order to assimilate into American culture. Both sisters remained close relationship wise, but were the exact opposite when it came to their opinions. Bharati explained that her sister pitied her for her “lack of structure”, while she pitied her sister for “the narrowness of her perspective, her involvement with the mythical depths or the superficial pop cultures of society.”(p.273). Mira wanted the benefits of provided to immigrants without becoming a citizen,yet Bharati felt that these benefits come from being a citizen.

     The essay predominately focuses on the differences between the two sisters. Bharati opens up the essay by explaining how similar the two of them where when they were younger and how now each sister took her own path as they became older. “When we left India, we were almost identical in appearance and attitude. We dressed alike, in saris; we expressed identical views on politics, social issues, love, and marriage in the same Calcutta convent-school accent.”(p.272). The rest of the essay exemplifies the differences between the Bharati, a citizen of America, and her sister Mira, an immigrant.

     I believe that the argument of this essay is to find which of the “Two Ways to Belong in America” is best. You can legally belong to America by being an immigrant with a green card, or you can choose to become a citizen and assimilate into the country’s culture. Who’s to say what is better? I think it depends on the person. If I was put in the same position as these two sisters I would side with Bharati. This land provides people with an opportunity, and an escape so it should be respected. Even though I have a Greek heritage that I love, I always put America first. I do not forget where I come from, but I live in the moment. The moment is where I am now. This is where I chose to be, so this is the nation that I prioritize first. I feel that if I held my Greek culture to the extent that Mira did I would not be living in America, but instead in Greece. America is a melting pot, so its not like you have to be a certain race or ethnicity to be an American. You choose whether or not you are an American. It’s an internal concept. The choice of how to “Belong in America” is up to you.

Do You Swear to Say the Truth and Nothing but the Truth?

     Stephanie Ericsson manages to categorize the lies humans tell within her essay “The Ways We Lie.” I think she does an exceptional job on categorizing human lie because she discusses numerous types of lies. She breaks down lies into the white lies, facades, ignoring the plain facts, deflections, omissions, stereotypes and cliches, groupthink, out-and-out lies, dismissals, and delusions. I agree with her characterization of lies because she delves deeper into how we lie. I enjoyed her humor, relatability, and sincerity throughout her essay. As much as we try to say that we don’t lie, lying becomes inevitable at times.

   The amount of lies that circulate in our world can not even be fathomed, but it is as if they are part of human nature. Ericsson explains that even though she fibs occasionally, she still considers herself an honest person. “We exaggerate, we minimize, we avoid confrontation, we spare people’s feelings, we conveniently forget, we keep secrets” because its natural. We lie so we can avoid complicating life and because we sympathize with other. I think it is very important that Ericsson also brings up how lies can be harmful. For example with facades, omission, stereotypes and displays, we are running away from the truth. These are different types of lies though because they promote denial. At times they can be more of a detriment than a quick fixer upper. We should not try to justify them. I think the truck driver example definitely resonates. Ericsson says, “I once admitted to a group of people that I had a mouth like a truck driver. Much to my surprise, a man stood up and said, “I’m a truck driver, and I never cuss.” We become so caught up in our preconceived notions that we can jump to conclusions and believe our own lies.

    I think Ericsson’s purpose for writing this essay is to show us how to know where to draw the line on our lies. Getting caught up in lies can lead to us believe them and make rash and false conclusions. We also need to consider if the lies we make to get ourselves out of an awkward situation are paid for at another person’s expense. Besides these points though Ericsson writes this piece to explain that lying is a cycle and how lies can vary. They will only end if all of us do not take part in it. Since we can not be completely honest with one another and want to spare each other’s feelings or connivence ourselves, lying will always be present. We should always expect it. I think that this piece was published because it reveals our humanity and how we always strive to simplify life. I liked that Ericsson makes us be more conscience of our lies through her examples. After reading this essay I started to wonder how much I lie. It really puts things in perspective for me and makes me want to be more conscience of what I say in the future.

     Lies that I think Ericsson should have included would be the “emergency lie” and the “bluff”. An emergency lie is when we lie to protect the well being of someone else. For example we might use an emergency lie to prevent someone from being harmed. A bluff is a lie that can be useful in a game of poker. Sometimes we have to use these lies in order to win, or protect, rather than harm another. Even though we all lie, I believe if we are conscience of the lies we make and when we use them, lying might not be as detrimental.

The Golden Rule

      Connor’s essay grasps his audience’s attention before it even begins with its title. It is titled “How in the World Do You Get a Skunk Out of a Bottle?”. He uses this title to attract attention and make want people to read it. The fact that it is a question provokes thought and a sense of wonder. Will the essay even talk about a skunk, or is this something figurative? The concept is intriguing. It also captures Connor’s emotions. He found himself in a bizarre situation not knowing what to do. Encountering a skunk in a bottle was something out of the ordinary. He was conflicted: he was scared the skunk would spray him, worried for the skunk’s well being, and also unsure on how he would handle such a complicated situation.

     Even though most people will never actually encounter a situation in which they will have the opportunity to pull a skunk out of a bottle, Connor writes this process analysis essay to help raise awareness. Yes, this is a rare situation, however it could happen to someone else. It is something out of the ordinary, so it is worth documenting. Writing in process analysis form helps provide a pace, sequence, and insight on his personal thoughts and experiences throughout the essay. Readers can understand both Connor’s and the skunk’s struggle. “What do you want me to do?”, he says. He is conflicted. Finally, he comes to the realization that he is responsible for the skunk since he found it. This essay shows us how to have compassion. If we have the ability to help someone and we are able to do so we should try to assist, depending on how much we are putting ourselves in danger. The details he uses in the story on the different ways in which he tried to save the skunk, keep a reader engaged and makes the piece somehow relatable. The skunk was helpless and unable to save itself, so sometimes we have to become the aid it needs.

     I think the main point of this essay is an underlying meaning. It is that even though we think we are not directly involved with wildlife, we are. It is important to be conscience of where we dispose of our trash. We can be harming animals without even knowing it. There can be animals, just like the skunk that can become injured from our litter. If we pay attention and dispose of our items properly we can prevent animals from becoming victims of our negligence. It all goes back to the Golden Rule, “treat others the way you want to be treated”,  even if they are not human. We share the world with them too, so they also deserve respect.

Proactiv(E)?

      The following picture affects certain consumers through its strategic advertising. It displays well known singer Avril Lavigne. She wears a confident smirk, has an inviting look, and flawless skin. Her face looks as if it was made out of porcelain. In front of her bold letters state “I’m No Pushover I’m Proactiv.” So what does this mean?
     This ad was created by the well known skin care brand Proactiv. Proactiv claims that their product will help clear acne and provide its user with clear and radiant skin. The company is so successful because they spend so much on advertising. Their commercials consists of success stories which range from everyday people, to a lengthy list of celebrities. The people who endorse this product are constantly in the public eye. They include singers, actors, dancers and more. Some of them include Katy Perry, Lindsey Lohan, Jessica Simpson, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Kaley Cuoco, Naya Rivera, Julianne Hough, Justin Bieber, Vanesa Williams, Kelly Clarkson, Adam Levine and many more. They use all these celebrity endorsers help to grasp the attention of people from various audiences. Almost anyone can relate. So many people idolize celebrities and aspire to be like them. When they hear celebrities speaking about their struggle with acne, they are shocked and think that they have something in common with them, their struggle with acne. If this product can help celebrities and make them look flawless, why can’t it do the same for them? On top of of that the product is even more enticing due to its affordability. 
     I have to admit that I was very skeptical about this product because I have also faced many problems with acne. Acne is something that lowers your confidence. We live in such a society that is constantly fixated on how we look. You think that you will try anything to fix it. Numerous times my acne would be so bad that I did not want to leave my house. I felt as though people were just looking at my acne and not focusing on me. Ads like this toy with a person’s emotions. After being completely feed up, I ordered this product because I thought that if so many celebrities endorsed it, it had to work. I wanted to be what the product advertised, “proactiv and not a pushover”. I needed to take action about my acne, rather than let it take over my life. When I started using the product my acne did not decrease. It actually made my skin worse. I’m not saying that the product is horrible, it just wasn’t my match.
     I did not think that the celebrities that endorse this product are paid to do so, or that their photos are airbrushed and professionally edited. They are not as perfect as we think they are. My acne problem was only solved by a prescription that was tailored to my own needs. It was not some generic product. Just like numerous people I was swayed by strategic advertising. It is easy to get caught up in the appeal of the advertisement without picking it apart. Before buying something we have to evaluate if we are purchasing it for the proper reasons, and not only because we are being compelled by it.

Depression in College Students

     Alissa Steiner takes on a daunting task by delving into the topic of depression. She explores how depression influences certain people, why it is caused, how we can recognize it, what triggers it, what it can lead to, proposals on how to handle it, and what actions are being taken to assist people in need. Her thesis is implied, but I think the closing of her essay demonstrates the main point. “If students are more informed about what depression is and how to detect it, they may be quicker to seek out someone to talk to, and possibly less likely to consider suicide as a solution...Hopefully, as universities come to realize the importance of students’ mental health in academic functioning, they will make funding their counseling services a priority”. In other words we can handle depression in better ways if we are informed about it and if its outreach programs have the proper funding.

     She supports her thesis by providing examples of people with depression, scientific information about the illness, statistics and details about organizations that are trying to lend out a helping hand. I completely agree with how she responds to the issue of depression in college students. I think Steiner does an excellent job of alerting her audience of depression’s severity. Depression should not be taken lightly. She grasps her audience’s attention by mentioning the suicide of one of her fellow classmates, Nima. He was a celebrated student with a wonderful personality. No one expected that this young man, with such a promising future would take his own life. Steiner displays her credibility by by providing important statistics. She states that a study by the American College Health Association found that professional diagnoses in depression in college students were up by ten percent. She then notes how chemical changes in the brain can contribute to depression. By explaining how to identify symptoms of depression she also helps her audience become more active readers. More people are being informed, so maybe more people can help others. Trigger factors of depression can stem from leaving home, balancing academics with work, relationships and more. To reemphasize the seriousness of depression she brings up the tragic suicide of MIT sophomore Elizabeth. Elizabeth showed signs of depression, but is was just to late when they found her. Hope is provided though counseling organizations. Organizations such as CAPS provide counseling and assistance for people that are depressed. Stein’s biggest complaint is that there are not enough of these organizations. They lack funding, and other people do not even know they exist. People do not utilize them enough. By alerting people about these organizations and providing funding to expand them, more lives would be saved.

     This piece definitely strikes a nerve for me because my grandmother suffers from depression as well. She has been battling with this illness her entire life, and counseling organizations like the ones that Steiner mentioned are what keep her going. I completely support her plea. No one deserves to be alone during such a difficult time in their life.

     If I were writing this essay, I would hope that I could include just as much as Steiner. She truly covers all the important aspects from support, to funding, to the scientific aspects of the illness and more. I only would do one thing differently. Even though her central focus is college students, I would expand it to people of all ages. I feel that depression should not be taken lightly and everyone deserves whatever help they need no matter what age. It is truly comforting that there are people like Steiner, addressing important topics that deserve more attention in our world.