Omnivore's Dilemma Ch. 9

Pollan makes a very good point when talking about "wordy labels". As if the consumer wasn't confused enough about where food comes from as it is, these wordy labels are no help at all. Pollan talks about how these labels and other advertisements as well are supposed to help the buyers understand what it is that they are really buying. This is not the case. Pollan tells an anticdote that exemplifies this very point. He talks about buying organic milk. While one organic milk product advertised "ultrapasteurized" which would extend shelf life, a different organic milk product advertised no ultrapasteurization, implying that this product would be fresher and less processed. Consumers have every right to be confused.

Supermarket pastoral. What does that even mean? Apparently it has been around a long time, and it continues to trick consumers even today. Organic food stores, such as Whole Foods, use this term to entice shoppers to become more engaged in, "authentic experiences". Shopping organically can be a very rewarding experience, assuming you don't mind the damage it will do to your check book. Regardless, consumers will continue to be beguiled by silly advertisements and healthy promises.

Ch. 2,6,7 Omnivore's Dilemma & Ch. 1,2,3 They Say I Say

I think it was a very good idea for author Michael Pollan to gain personal experience by actually going out and learning how to farm with farmer George Naylor. His experience increases his ethos throughout the book by making it apparent he knows what he is writing about. His anecdotal evidence suggests that farming is not an easy lifestyle for non-farmers to understand. I think the way Pollan describes the recent changes and transformations in farming history is interesting, while also providing facts and information that is important when learning about how farms work and prosper.

Pollan does a very good job at explaining the many uses of corn throughout the United States. By informing readers that it is in nearly everything we eat these days, readers obtain a better understanding of why our nation is currently fat. Pollan also does an excellent job explaining how portions have increased in fast food restaurants, and how type-II diabetes is on the rise.

Chapter one of They Say, I Say emphasizes the importance of having a point in your paper. Although this is often somewhat challenging when faced with writing an extensive research paper for an uninteresting class, it is very important nonetheless. Chapter two shows the importance of a good summarization of another sources' arguments. It's important to know the source well enough to summarize it in your own words. Chapter three talks about quotations. The book mentions that framing a quotation is very important as it makes the quote relevant to readers.