Our group read the book Fast Food Nation and then watched the documentary film Food Inc. Both the book and the film discussed how a handful of companies now control the entire food industry in the United States. They look at how this affects our lives and analyze changes we can make to improve the food quality and safety in this country.
Fast Food Nation, written by Eric Schlosser, deals with mainly the meatpacking industry and the success of the McDonald's Corp. His book gives the history of the fast food industry, then explains how that changed the entire way food was produced and distributed. Now, the company has a few plants that grow and produce all the potatoes for the fries, the meat for the burgers, and the chickens for the McNuggets, in order to be uniform in all restaurants. This has created many problems however due to the size of the plants that produce the food, as well as the workers that they hire. The plants can now grow and produce millions of potatoes, cattle, or chickens each year. The speed and conditions in which the livestock are raised are birthplaces for diseases such as E. Coli 0157:H7, which can contaminate the meat and lead to the deaths of many people. Schlosser also makes the argument that the government has been to lax on regulation of the food companies, pointing out the FDA does not have the ability to issue a food recall. This has allowed the food companies to get away with tremendous profits, but while hurting consumers.
Food Inc., which is directed and produced by Robert Kenner and co-produced by Schlosser, delve into similar topics in the food industry. The film highlights how large food companies have taken over the industry and now control most of the nation's food supply. However, it puts its focus not only on meat, but all parts of the food industry. It shows the meatpacking plants, but it also talks about how the vegetables and fruits are affected by the diseases that can infect those foods as well. It also includes stories about people who create food in clean ways, such as one farmer in Virginia who feeds cattle grass and lets them roam on the fields, unlike the large factories that feed cattle grain and have them living with very little space. It also shows how spotty the USDA and FDA are on food regulation, because a process such as the farmer's is cleaner and natural, but is considered contaminated by the FDA, while a large plant that feeds unnatural grain and can foster diseases is considered more safe. It also discusses the topic of food cloning, something just being introduced to the food industry. Similarly, it discusses how Monsanto is becoming the one company which farmers can buy seeds from because natural seeds are no longer able to compete with Monsanto's new genetically modified seeds.
Both the book and film make the argument that the government needs to take charge and put pressure on the food companies to clean up their acts. They also believe the USDA and FDA should have powers that have not yet been granted due to lobbyists of the food industry paying many congressional members. The book makes the argument McDonald's is controlling too much of the lives of Americans, and does not like how the McDonald's way is now being spread overseas. The film makes the argument that creating organic foods and cleaning up the system would not hurt the giant food companies but rather would help them and make their products better and safer. Food safety is a very important topic in the United States and both Fast Food Nation and Food Inc. show how our food system is broken in many ways.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Extra Credit Video Essay
Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.
Process Analysis
Purpose and Claim: My visual essay was created to show images of problems in North Korea against the problems with the Nazis, and show that the two really are not that different and that North Korea may even have more problems than the Nazis did.
Image Selection: When the Nazis are mentioned, people always think about Hitler and concentration camps. I used an image from a concentration camp to begin, because it can really appeal to pathos of the reader. Then, photos of Hitler are shown. Hitler was a leader who was very convincing and was able to essentially brainwash the people of Germany with an ideology based on a perfect race. The flag is meant to show the end of the Nazi section. Then, a huge statue of Kim Il Sung appears, followed by a picture of Kim Jong Il, and then the North Korean flag. I attempted to arrange my introductory North Korean images in the same way the Nazi images had been arranged. Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il both have the abilities Hitler did, and brainwashed the North Korean citizens into thinking all good things in their life are made possible by the "Great Leader" and all bad things are done by North Korean enemies. Then a transition occurs, and images begin to show problems in North Korea. I began with an image showing a blacked out North Korea amidst the bright East Asia, to show how the North lacks power. I also put this first because it is relatively harmless and is not disturbing. This is followed by an image of North Korean and Chinese being held in concentration camps. They have not been tortured yet and are in the process of being put into the camp, so there still is no real grotesque photos. Then, a picture of children in soldier uniforms pops up, and some people would be furious that the North Koreans are training children as soldiers. The final image is one of North Korean children who are severely malnourished, and shows how the government can not provide for its people. This last image is graphic, and the four images show a build up from harmless to mind numbing, and the pathos appeal builds as the images scroll.
Song Choice: The song I chose is called Suryeongisiyeo Myeongnyeongman Naerisira, and is a North Korean propaganda song. I chose this music because it is one of the songs that Kim Jong Il and his regime play in order to make people bow down to him as the great leader. It represents another problem in the North Korean society as well, because the people are totally brainwashed with this propaganda and have no idea that everything is better outside of the country. It is also performed by a military choir of North Korea, and North Korea is country dominated by the military.
Sources:
Monday, January 3, 2011
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Inner Ring response
The quest to be a part of the inner ring is ever present in life. I definitely agree with what he says. I notice myself always wishing I was a part of this or that "inner ring" when I walk around our school sometimes. When he talks about how the whole idea of the inner ring is to get in, then try to keep other people out, I see where he is coming from. This is the whole reason that cliques form, and so it is totally understandable how he comes up with this idea. Most cliques emerge as a desire to keep others out, and because the people in the clique want to feel powerful. I think that is part of the appeal of the inner ring. Everyone always wants to have more power, whether it be leader of a group or President of the United States. This quest drives the idea of the inner ring.
If I were a student at King's College hearing this speech, I think I would probably relate even better. College seems like it would a time where the inner ring grows smaller and smaller until you only have a few people in your inner ring. And to have C.S. Lewis come to your school to speak to your class would be something to remember, so you probably don't pay attention to what he says and just agree with him because he is famous.
Something that occurs in my life tomorrow will be driven by the quest for the inner ring. It will happen the day after that, and the day after that, and will continue forever. I know that the inner ring is not necessarily evil, but I feel like the idea (at least in my mind) has a negative connotation to it. It just sounds bad to me. I wish that I could live my life without the inner ring being ever present, but I will face the facts and just acknowledge it's a necessary evil. And besides, everyone else has to deal with it too.
If I were a student at King's College hearing this speech, I think I would probably relate even better. College seems like it would a time where the inner ring grows smaller and smaller until you only have a few people in your inner ring. And to have C.S. Lewis come to your school to speak to your class would be something to remember, so you probably don't pay attention to what he says and just agree with him because he is famous.
Something that occurs in my life tomorrow will be driven by the quest for the inner ring. It will happen the day after that, and the day after that, and will continue forever. I know that the inner ring is not necessarily evil, but I feel like the idea (at least in my mind) has a negative connotation to it. It just sounds bad to me. I wish that I could live my life without the inner ring being ever present, but I will face the facts and just acknowledge it's a necessary evil. And besides, everyone else has to deal with it too.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Speech
This speech was delivered by Kennedy when he was visiting West Berlin during the Cold War. It is one of his most well-known speeches, titled Ich Bin Ein Berliner (I am a Berliner).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hH6nQhss4Yc
Another favorite, but less so for the class than for laughs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGDBR2L5kzI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hH6nQhss4Yc
Another favorite, but less so for the class than for laughs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGDBR2L5kzI
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Words and Words and More Words, O My!
Word: Surprised
Definitions:
1.
to strike or occur to with a sudden feeling of wonder orastonishment, as through unexpectedness
2.
to come upon or discover suddenly and unexpectedly
3.
to make an unexpected assault on (an unprepared army, fort,person, etc.).
4.
to elicit or bring out suddenly and without warning
5.
to lead or bring unawares, as into doing something not intended
Part of Speech: Can be verb or noun, for this blog we will deal with it in verb form
History: First used in 15th century. Modern version meaning "attacked unexpectedly" first used in 1610.
Examples:
1. The troops were surprised by an attack from the north.
2. They surprised everyone by moving to the Bahamas.
Synonyms
1. Shocked
Definitions:
1. to strike with surprise, terror, horror, or disgust.2. to cause to undergo a physical or nervous shock.3. to subject to the action of an electrical discharge.
Part of Speech: Verb
History: First appearance around mid 1500s. From roots choquer-to clash (in battle) and schokken-to shake, jolt, jerk.
Example: He shocked many people with his knowledge.
2. Intrigued
Definitions:
1.
to arouse the curiosity or interest of by unusual, new, orotherwise fascinating or compelling qualities; appeal stronglyto; captivate
2.
to achieve or earn by appealing to another's curiosity, fancy,or interest
Part of Speech: Verb
History: First use-1612
Example: One day during math study period, after I'd finished my regular assignment, I took out a fresh sheet of paper and tried to solve a problem that had intrigued me: whether the first player in a game of ticktacktoe can always win, given the right strategy.
3. Awestruck
Definition: : filled with awe
Part of Speech: Adjective
History: First used in 1634
Example: They were awestruck by the sheer size of the project.
4. Astonished
Definition: to fill with sudden and overpowering surprise or wonder; amaze
Part of Speech: Verb
History: First used sometime between 1525 and 1535
Examples: Despite the hype, there was nothing in the book to astonish readers.
The garden's beauty never fails to astonish.
5. Amazed
Definition: to fill with wonder
Part of Speech: Verb
History: Early 13th cent. is first known usage
Examples: He has amazed audiences around the world with his magic tricks.
It amazed me that no one noticed the error.
6. Astounded
Definition: to fill with bewilderment or wonder
Part of Speech: Verb
History: First used in 1603
Example: What astounded me was that they never apologized.
7. Perplexed
Definition: filled with uncertainty
Part of Speech: Adjective
History: First used in late 15th century
Example: He gave her a perplexed look.
8. Stunned
Definition:
1 : to make senseless, groggy, or dizzy by or as if by a blow
2: to shock with noise
: to overcome especially with paralyzing astonishment or disbelief
Part of Speech: Verb
History: First used 1250-1300. From root estoner-to shake, make resound
Examples: The angry criticism stunned them.
She sat in stunned disbelief.
9. Flabbergasted
Definition: to overwhelm with shock, surprise, or wonder
Part of Speech: Verb
History: First known use-1772
Examples: It flabbergasted me to see how many people still supported them.
10. Bewildered
Definition: to perplex or confuse especially by a complexity, variety, or multitude of objects or considerations
Part of Speech: Verb
History: First usage occurred in 1680s
Examples: the change in policy seems to have bewildered many of our customers
Friday, December 3, 2010
Netflix on Xbox is so great!
Recently, I downloaded the Netflix application on my Xbox, and I signed up using my dad's account. I have since become addicted to all the programming avalible on the system. I have watched a movie (Blackhawk Down) and episodes of television shows (namely Family Guy and South Park). After all, I'm a teenage boy.
But my favorite thing about Netflix is the insane number of documentaries they have avalible. I really love learning about the military and the technologies they use, and I have watched documentaries on the invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the role of Special Forces in Afghanistan and Iraq. I want to watch Ken Burn's documentary on the Civil War next, because we just learned about it in AP US History this past week. However, we never got into the battles, and I want to watch this documentary so that I can see what they were like (looking forward to 4th term 3rd block military history with Berndt!)
It is just so nice to have the option of streaming this directly from my Xbox, rather than having to make a trek to the store in a snowstorm such as this just for a movie. This system is definetely the system of the future, as Netflix has noticed. Recently, they announced a new plan that only includes streaming. Already the video rental industry has taken a sharp hit, and now there will be even more competition for them. This system has changed and will to continue to change the video rental system as we know it.
Until next time followers, peace out. E-Sutts signing off.
But my favorite thing about Netflix is the insane number of documentaries they have avalible. I really love learning about the military and the technologies they use, and I have watched documentaries on the invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the role of Special Forces in Afghanistan and Iraq. I want to watch Ken Burn's documentary on the Civil War next, because we just learned about it in AP US History this past week. However, we never got into the battles, and I want to watch this documentary so that I can see what they were like (looking forward to 4th term 3rd block military history with Berndt!)
It is just so nice to have the option of streaming this directly from my Xbox, rather than having to make a trek to the store in a snowstorm such as this just for a movie. This system is definetely the system of the future, as Netflix has noticed. Recently, they announced a new plan that only includes streaming. Already the video rental industry has taken a sharp hit, and now there will be even more competition for them. This system has changed and will to continue to change the video rental system as we know it.
Until next time followers, peace out. E-Sutts signing off.
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