Pollan’s “An Animal’s Place”
although very long, was very interesting.
After reading those twelve pages I feel like I cant remember the first
argument he made, but only the last. He
brought up many noteworthy points like why animals need to be killed. It is one, natural, and two, completely
implausible to say that due to their right that they shouldn’t be. Animals kill eachother all the time, and
humans have been doing it for ages.
Although the way animals are treated and killed, is wrong. The farm he talks of at the end is a very
interesting concept. It appears to be
self-sustaining, and the animals all help each other cycle through life. They aren’t cramped up in square foot cages,
pooping on top of one and other like chickens in a factory farm. They have room to roam and be free, to enjoy
life. That is, before they do eventually
meet their end. This piece was the most
interesting due to the evidence that back up the author’s argument. There were tons of examples of the points he
wanted to convey. There were examples
that were hard to read due to the graphic nature of what was being
described. It is sad how heartless we,
as humans, have become; and how selfish we are in our conquest to expand and
grow.
Estabrook’s Tomatoland had some startling facts. It started off saying that one third of the
nation’s tomatoes come from florida; and then continued to talk about how
terrible they are and for the people who harvest them. Although I do believe many of the points made
in this article were true; there were no citations for many of the claims
made. Many points sounded like they were
merely assumed, and did not have factual evidence to back them up. There was obviously reason behind them being
said, and probably factual information, but I felt like it was more to prove a
point than build a legitimate argument.
Cook’s “Infographic” touched on
many points that Pollan’s writing did.
It really focused in on the malpractices of the chicken industry, and
how workers are mistreated. Workers are
subjected to terrible deathly conditions, just like the animals they prepare
for consumption are. In a way it makes
me happy to hear that the birds are in a sense, fighting those who do them
in. This brings me to a point that was
also covered in Pollan’s writing. I do
not wish pain on the individual person who harvests the chicken. Chances are, they are an immigrant who
definitely isn’t making much money, and doesn’t have many more options. I would have to be a terrible person to wish
someone in such an unfortunate position any harm. But when it comes to humans as a whole, I strongly
say that it is well deserved that we suffer some for what all these “dumb
birds” are being put through. We are
destroying them, not literally since populations are through the roof, but
metaphorically speaking. They are being
subjected to such inhumane conditions, the people in charge should be in
jail. The problem is the American
people. There is such high demand for
such meats, that this seems to be the only option.
You say that animal abusers should be put in jail, but do you think that burger you made does animal justice? How would you feel if someone made a mockery burger out of you? I would appreciate some more consistency between your posts and lifestyle.
ReplyDeletePS: thanks for feeding my fish, making my life easier.
Dear Scot-T,
ReplyDeleteFirst off, obviously I would not feel anything if someone made a mockery burger out of me. I would be dead, and unable to feel anything. Secondly, that burger, for your information, was made from lean beef and it tasted delicious. Third, other people might abuse animals but I do not support their actions. Just because I like to eat doesn't mean I like or support the abuse of animals. Please don't make judgements on me based on my background and the last paragraph of my blog. Maybe if you read my whole post, you could have made a comment with some constructive criticism instead of criticizing my lifestyle.
Paul,
ReplyDeleteFirst off, my question was more conceptual, not literal. My IQ exists don't be so condescending towards me. Second, the fact it tasted good has nothing to do with your animal abuse fetish. Lean is too vague of a concept for it to rub all the blood off of your animal killing limbs. Third, actions speak louder than words. You support their actions by coming to class after eating McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's, and Burger Zone. I can smell it on your breath. Gross.
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ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Vyj1C8ogtE
ReplyDelete