Important Ideas/Insights:
1. I realized that the world itself has its fair share of imbalance. Though one person, like Dr. Paul Farmer, can make changes in the world but, such a task requires dedication and sacrifices. Though his good deeds will in turn let karma perform its role. "The rocks in the water don't know how the rocks in the sun feel" (Kidder 110). [Source: Tracy Kidder's Mountains Over Mountains]
2. Dying first may be less painful than living to see others die around you. [Beth Bernett/Evan's Mom]
3. The intent of health insurance, provided by HMO's and other organizations alike, was never to benefit its consumers but, to maximize profits. Though I was quite aware that such companies were ripping millions of people, including me, off, having the idea visualized was more than convincing. [Source: Michael Moore's Sicko]
4. Decisions in the hospital are based upon patient, not the feelings and preferences of family or friends of said patient. As bystanders, we must look past a terminal patient's illness, and perceive them as a human being with a past filled with eventful moments and precious times. [Source given respectively(in order): "Near Death" the documentary and Beth Bernett]
What sources have been most helpful to me?
The discussion about Beth Bernett's experience with life and death was certainly up there on my list of sources that have provided me new knowledge and insights on how to live my own life. I've never been served a plate so full of vivid detail that I was surely in awe of being granted permission to hear the intimate details of a memory that Beth held so close to her, within the perimeters of her mind. Hearing Beth's story, I had not only come to realize the extremity of feelings that overwhelm one when they struck with the fact that their loved one is about to die is more than I could ever understand but, that death can be beautiful in the most gruesome aspects that I have not yet come to comprehend. Such aspects are severely put under curtains that, when it comes our time to face the reality of life and death, we are given almost no time to embrace what will happen in the course of the several years ahead of us. Despite such a talk that has struck deep and grave into my thoughts, I am still ignorant of the harm that a life taken away from me can affect me. No matter how many horrid stories about illness and death are presented in front of me, I believe I cannot fully take hold of the melancholy that many hold because of such stories.
What questions and areas do you think its most important to explore in the final two weeks of the unit? How should we best explore those topics/questions?
We should definitely focus on the questions, "What do near-death experiences provide us with? And do they lead to cliche theories of death?", "How do we cope with the dying of our loved ones?" and "What are rituals that resemble or come close to the idea of death?" I'm not sure how to approach such questions with a certain finesse. I can approach these questions as an a mere novice, attempting to ask all the right people who may or may not be legitimate in answering such complex questions.
Two Paragraphs Addressing Some of The Questions Above
In all my 16 years of living on this earth, I don't believe I don't hold any remarkable near-death experience. Though, I don't think that a remarkable one must always be a shining factor in change of someone's perspective on illness and dying. All those who have generously shared their stories with me have quite honestly provided me with extremely similar reactions and epiphanies to a near-death experience. "Now that I know I could die any moment, I cherish the things around me more" is most certainly a phrase thrown here and there as if its meaning has really escaped. I question whether the common notions of near-death experiences true or are they simply a coincidence? I'm no decipher of human emotions but, the reactions of those who have come to the brink of life have sure left a repetitive impression on me. As indifferently as I may seem when I state this, I assure the humble satire you believe I am emanating is just my ambiguous view of the effects of near-death experiences.
Coping is considerably one of the many things that we humans have made an effort to grow a fondness towards. Coping allows us to ignore the things that we know will impact us most and trek the unbalanced road of future problems and glorious moments. I would assume that the death of a loved one would leave a person mentally damaged and torn to the point that coping cannot suffice in making everything "okay." The sadness or mourning that comes with death cannot vanish; they simply stay, whether we choose to display or not display such feelings. We live through life with experiences that define us and influence us to make the decisions we make. I cannot escape the cliche answer to "How do we cope with the dying of our loved ones?" We simply live with it. Do not be misguided however, my inquiry on how we deal with matters like death has not ended but, has furthered and probably will stump me until the day I experience a illness and see how people around me react or rather, cope with my condition.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
HW 25 - Response to Sicko
Precis:
Health insurance is inadequate to cover the expenses of even those who do have access to medical care. The intent of health insurance was never to benefit the people but to maximize the profits of HMO's and other organizations alike. Such HMO’s earn morn money by denying care to several people, claiming "pre-existing" conditions were at fault. It would be difficult to change the laws that are in favor of a government-run health-care system because many HMO's donate to a specific politician's campaign to gain power over the passing of a bill. We should take example of France and Canada, who have better health systems that are in favor of the people while pertaining to the economic state of each individual.
Evidence:
a) 1. There are nearly 50 million people without health insurance (*)
2. Poorest people of England can live longer than the wealthiest Americans
a) 1. There are nearly 50 million people without health insurance (*)
2. Poorest people of England can live longer than the wealthiest Americans
b) The pieces of evidence were important in bolstering his argument because they provided a foundation for his persuading his audience that our health system is meager compared to that of other countries who provide universal health care. I would assume Michael Moore's reference to longevity would spark interest and bolster his argument because I would say our intent, as a people, is to prevent death and illness and the possibility of dying at a young age.
c) CNN's Gupta Fact Checks were considerably in favor of the fact that the majority of Moore's claims were correct, especially in that Insurance companies seek only profit and profit maximization. Skimming Moore's responses, I found that several of his claims were correct however, I am sure I there were many that were based upon Moore's pure opinion and self-righteousness.
d) (*) This claim was legitimate because "Based on the data from the 2006 NHIS, a total of 54.5 million person of all ages were uninsured"(Health Insurance Coverage: Early Release of Estimates from the National Health Interview Survey, 2006. Centers for Disease Control). Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhis/earlyrelease/insur200706.pdf
Response:
The beginning of Sicko was considerably gruesome based on the fact that a middle aged man had sown together his own gash, located on his shin, with some thread and a needle. I hadn't anticipated the sight and so, I assumed Moore was an eccentric film maker but, then again I was not familiar with his works so, who was I to judge? Moore didn't seem like the sort of person to be talking about health insurance when he himself could not clearly maintain a healthy body mass. Speaking in a extremely intriguing voice, Moore didn't fail to persuade me of the greedy and sly nature of the CEOs in insurance companies. The CEO's denying of claims of several people deserving of insurance is a perfect exhibit of how health insurance seeks to only maximize their profits. Though, its not far off to say that such insurance companies, like Oxford, rip me off with unreasonable expenses but, my stubbornness to retaliate only reaches so far. Insurance provides me with some, more or less, protection and guarantee that I will receive the help I need in the event that I am sick. How would my not buying insurance benefit me? The U.S. is merciless and money will most likely overrule an ill person in need of a vaccine.
The beginning of Sicko was considerably gruesome based on the fact that a middle aged man had sown together his own gash, located on his shin, with some thread and a needle. I hadn't anticipated the sight and so, I assumed Moore was an eccentric film maker but, then again I was not familiar with his works so, who was I to judge? Moore didn't seem like the sort of person to be talking about health insurance when he himself could not clearly maintain a healthy body mass. Speaking in a extremely intriguing voice, Moore didn't fail to persuade me of the greedy and sly nature of the CEOs in insurance companies. The CEO's denying of claims of several people deserving of insurance is a perfect exhibit of how health insurance seeks to only maximize their profits. Though, its not far off to say that such insurance companies, like Oxford, rip me off with unreasonable expenses but, my stubbornness to retaliate only reaches so far. Insurance provides me with some, more or less, protection and guarantee that I will receive the help I need in the event that I am sick. How would my not buying insurance benefit me? The U.S. is merciless and money will most likely overrule an ill person in need of a vaccine.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
HW 23 - Illness & Dying Book, Part 2
Assigned Book: Mountains Over Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, A Man Who Would Cure the World by Tracy Kidder
Publisher: Random House, Inc.
Year Published: 2003
Thought-Provoking Quotes (Gems):
"He would catalog what he called "the geography of blame" and the scapegoat role assigned to Haiti." (Kidder 106).
Response: Our government will do what it can to keep it's reputation looking pristine and untouched and so, several faults and blames are put on other countries. For example: The U.S. is without empathy when it had identified Haiti as a "risk group", disregarding the harm it would cause on the Haitian economy. Assuming the degree of disregard, the U.S. government makes decisions based upon the benefits that would arise from a certain action to aid their own country and ultimately, not that of others.
"From where he sat, Cange looked like a collection of small dwellings scattered in no particular pattern on the side of an almost treeless mountain"(Kidder 106).
Response: Aside from the riots and demonstrations leaving the soil of Cange colored red, the site is broken and shattered that defining its state would be difficult. What word would suffice?
"The rocks in the water don't know how the rocks in the sun feel" (Kidder 110).
Response: Will karma will take its course over time so Haitian elite will feel the suffering of the Haitian poor? Is a government of saints enough to make reform happen?
Precis (Chapter 11: The Tin Roofs of Cange):
In midst of everything, Farmer had acquainted himself with a priest names Aristide and studied the origin of AIDs, proceeding to incorporate his research into this thesis. By then, it was 1990, and Farmer had received his Ph.D. from Harvard although he had an outstanding record of absences and was awarded permission to publicize his thesis. Still militant in his efforts to lift oppression off the Haitian poor, Farmer had trouble disconnecting himself from the many faces and past events he saw and experienced in the hospital rooms.
Thoughts:
How much can our brains keep track of the faces of healthy and sick people? I'm amazed at the capacity at which Farmer can hold a great number of faces solid in his mind. With so many memories filled with gore, I don't think I would be able to face the corruption and blood-ridden world without being a mere bystander. I wonder if compassion and determination are enough to save a people from complete devastation? Farmer has a mnemonic structure where he remembers all faces and the mere stuffed animals placed in a patient's hospital room to remember a thousands of ailments. I don't believe I could ever carry the burden of not being able to cure someone of a disease and have their face branded into my mind. It's a scary thought to be the middle man between death and life. I'm grateful to have not been in this situation. My view of life and death is very obscure compared to that of Farmer. Having seen several die from the worst of diseases, Farmer is nonetheless never depressed, a concept I am unable to fathom. The hope Farmer holds within his efforts and Partners of Health organization gives me hope that there are other doctors in the world that are as willing as he is to rid the world of diseases and deaths. I wonder as to why doctors dedicate their lives to saving and curing people, is it because they want to be reassured that their power is enough to evade death? Or do they seek a sharp slap in the face to remind them of the reality of life?
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
HW 21B
For Kevin,
I really liked the first two topic sentence of your first paragraph: " There is a time where you have to let go. I totally agree with this idea. Nothing lasts forever. Yes, cliché, but also true." This went well in bringing the readers attention to Beth's story. Your post is very straightforward and, I applaud you because death is a difficult topic to write about because ultimately, death is vague as living humans have never experienced it. I'd like it if you had introduced your body paragraphs the same way you did for your introduction. Your transition from paragraph to paragraph is somewhat in a logical order but, try to structure your paragraphs so every topic sentence correlates to the main point you are trying to convey. There are some grammatical errors here and there. One thing to keep in mind is to remember this is a somewhat formal post; the use of the word "So" might not always be sufficient in starting out sentences.
For Amber,
Modality: (Depth and Insight)
Amber,
Your post most definitely demonstrates your eye for key points. The most beautiful and insightful part about your writing would have to be one of your concluding questions: "When we die it is usually said that we go to a better place, so why aren’t we excited about dying and escaping from this obstacle course called life?" Such a thought-provoking question surely deserve recognition. I agree that it's strange how we complain about the hardships of life but, are defensive and ambivalent when it comes our time to part from life itself. The last sentence of your post was admittedly cliche and it would only benefit your writing if you were to have offered an alternative perspective, essentially a cliff hanger for a reader to trigger their interest in exploring the realms of death.
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From Spencer (Younger Person),
I really like what you said about death, "Death is considerably taboo, as it is sacred and words about the deceased are almost, in a way, forbidden." I feel that death is a taboo topic not only because people want to be conscious of others' emotions, but because people are afraid of dying themselves.
From Kevin (T/W team, person from class),
First of all, good blog post. I enjoyed reading about your interpretations of Beth's insights, and some of your own. I think that there were a lot of parts of your post where you showed good perspective and insight,such as these lines "When the death of someone we care about occurs, we subconsciously think about how this death with affect our own stability without their presence. We push their once potential-filled life into the gutter only to seek the optimum way to buffet with our mourning and sorrow." That is really deep and original, and really shows your perspective and what you are about. I would love to see more of this throughout your posts. While there was a lot of good perspective, There were times where you started to talk about an experience that you have had, and just kind of ended your idea. "Having been in the hospital a few months ago to visit an ill family member, I feel that the presence of beauty and pain had never revealed it self, however, it was there nonetheless." I feel as if you could have elaborated more there. I like the line, I just think it could have been followed up better. Overall, good post, keep up the good work.
From Amber (T/W team, person from class),
It was nice to read your blog post; you have many insightful things to say. You asked me to give you feedback by reading your blog post through the modality of proofreading. Overall your blog post was interesting to read, but I felt like you had many long sentences. Maybe if you can cut some sentences shorter, or just keep everything short and concise. You were using a lot of commas throughout your sentences which to me signals that your sentences are getting too long. There were times where I felt the need to catch my breath. Next time I would advise you to use semi colons, in place of some of the commas. Try to let the reader know everything you are trying to say but in a shorter form. Other than that I felt like you did a good job. I didn't notice any spelling mistakes, which is good. It was interesting to hear your thoughts about Beth's presentation.
From Pam (Mentor) ,
This part is beautifully written: "In explaining the event in which she had seen her father die, Beth, with a slight quiver in her voice, had mentioned that even when the time to set our worries and tears free from our conscience, hospitals place white curtains over our eyes, shielding what we should be able to face." You do an amazing job of making me question my previously-held notion that people who want to die at home are truly selfish. When my grandmother was near death in the hospital, she expressed a wish to die at home and all I could see was how much more difficult that would be for my dad. Your blog makes me question that, and look back on that situation wondering if anything would have change if it was handled differently.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
HW 22 - Illness & Dying Book Part 1
Assigned Book: Mountains Over Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, A Man Who Would Cure the World by Tracy Kidder
Publisher: Random House, Inc.
Year Published: 2003
Thought-Provoking Quotes: (Gems)
"The world is full of miserable places. One way of living comfortably is not to think about them or, when you do, to send money" (Kidder 8).
Response: This concept or rather, a way of pushing the hardships of other countries to the back of our minds is selfish. We'd like to think that money will make everything better but, while we sit in our comfy chairs and sip some wine, miserable places won't be freed of famine. However, the money offered as a helping hand embodies a good intent but, in reality how many pieces of paper that hold no intrinsic value keep a third-world country stable?
"In Haiti, Farmer told me...25 percent of the Haitians die before they reach forty. 'It's because there's a near famine there'" (Kidder 25).
Response: Even the greatest and the most prodigious amounts of medicines cannot conquer famine. Farmer's two hands can only heal a number a people.
"In 1987, the army's paramilitaries had massacred scores of voters at polling places, aborting what would have been the first democratic elections in Haiti's history" (Kidder 105).
Paraphrase: Though efforts have been made to improve Haiti, reform isn't imminent.
Precis: (Pages 25-40)
Farmer is the essence of miracles, becoming nearly a god to the people of Haiti. Haitians hold a sort of faith in Farmer, however, Farmer cannot allow himself to acknowledge himself the way the Haitian community does because of the extent to which his medical skills and resources can uphold. The world's problems cannot be fixed without cost to the abbetor.
Thoughts:
It's not far off to say that I am extremely ignorant of the hardships of Third-World countries. In the back of my mind, I'd like to think I could help or offer a helping hand but, there's only so many things a 16 year old, without an income or a job of her own, can do. Farmer who is ambivalent about selling his services to places who cannot afford them, sacrifices his time to devote his life to healing the poor in Haiti. This is without a doubt a difficult task to live up to, one that I don't think I could ever be capable of taking up. Admittedly, I am selfish, I take many things for granted, and when an ad on the television comes on about helping Haiti children, there are times I turn away, guilty. What can this rectangular piece of green paper do for a Haitian family? Can my pathetic attempt to help reach across the seas? Farmer embraces the death but, also medicines that can help to conquer AIDs, gangrene, and TB. I, on the other hand, cannot embrace the consequences of death and for that, I am unable to feel the pride in helping a Third World country. To make myself feel less guilty, I tell myself, "Currency with no intrinsic value or the most effective medicines cannot always save or rescue a person from the hands of death." In writing out my thoughts, I feel as if I have come to grips with how I attempt to push away my own guilty conscience.
Publisher: Random House, Inc.
Year Published: 2003
Thought-Provoking Quotes: (Gems)
"The world is full of miserable places. One way of living comfortably is not to think about them or, when you do, to send money" (Kidder 8).
Response: This concept or rather, a way of pushing the hardships of other countries to the back of our minds is selfish. We'd like to think that money will make everything better but, while we sit in our comfy chairs and sip some wine, miserable places won't be freed of famine. However, the money offered as a helping hand embodies a good intent but, in reality how many pieces of paper that hold no intrinsic value keep a third-world country stable?
"In Haiti, Farmer told me...25 percent of the Haitians die before they reach forty. 'It's because there's a near famine there'" (Kidder 25).
Response: Even the greatest and the most prodigious amounts of medicines cannot conquer famine. Farmer's two hands can only heal a number a people.
"In 1987, the army's paramilitaries had massacred scores of voters at polling places, aborting what would have been the first democratic elections in Haiti's history" (Kidder 105).
Paraphrase: Though efforts have been made to improve Haiti, reform isn't imminent.
Precis: (Pages 25-40)
Farmer is the essence of miracles, becoming nearly a god to the people of Haiti. Haitians hold a sort of faith in Farmer, however, Farmer cannot allow himself to acknowledge himself the way the Haitian community does because of the extent to which his medical skills and resources can uphold. The world's problems cannot be fixed without cost to the abbetor.
Thoughts:
It's not far off to say that I am extremely ignorant of the hardships of Third-World countries. In the back of my mind, I'd like to think I could help or offer a helping hand but, there's only so many things a 16 year old, without an income or a job of her own, can do. Farmer who is ambivalent about selling his services to places who cannot afford them, sacrifices his time to devote his life to healing the poor in Haiti. This is without a doubt a difficult task to live up to, one that I don't think I could ever be capable of taking up. Admittedly, I am selfish, I take many things for granted, and when an ad on the television comes on about helping Haiti children, there are times I turn away, guilty. What can this rectangular piece of green paper do for a Haitian family? Can my pathetic attempt to help reach across the seas? Farmer embraces the death but, also medicines that can help to conquer AIDs, gangrene, and TB. I, on the other hand, cannot embrace the consequences of death and for that, I am unable to feel the pride in helping a Third World country. To make myself feel less guilty, I tell myself, "Currency with no intrinsic value or the most effective medicines cannot always save or rescue a person from the hands of death." In writing out my thoughts, I feel as if I have come to grips with how I attempt to push away my own guilty conscience.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
HW 21 - Expert #1
Important Insights and Experiences from Guest Speaker:
1. As adolescents, we have been shielded by the beauty and gruesomeness of death. Hospitals curtain and sanitize the pain our loved ones feel.
2. It's important to look past an ill patient's sickness and see them as a person with a colorful and productive past, deserving of compassion and good lasting moments with family and loved ones.
3. Being alive and having loved ones die first may be the most painful experience because you are watching them wither away while you too, wither away but, at a slower pace. Dying first would allow you to not go through the pain of seeing another die.
Having been offered Beth's intimate details about her experiences dealing with death, I certainly gained new insight on the realms in which one enters when his or her's loved one dies. Death is considerably taboo, as it is sacred and words about the deceased are almost, in a way, forbidden. This is a concept I have become fond of over the years, as this conversation in class was intense and foreign to me. In explaining the event in which she had seen her father die, Beth, with a slight quiver in her voice, had mentioned that even when the time to set our worries and tears free from our conscience, hospitals place white curtains over our eyes, shielding what we should be able to face. When she was able to take care of her husband 24-7 in the comfort of her home, she had experienced the most intimate and beautiful moments of her life. On the other hand, the cold and windowless walls of a hospital bedroom connote the sense of detachment and lack of emotion that overwhelms the air, essentially sanitizing and monitoring our own emotions by not allowing us to see suffering and the gruesomeness of death. After a white sheet is pulled over a dead body, leaving the last breath almost a whisper, the chance to embrace "a warmth left in the body before rigor mortis takes over" is gone. Having been in the hospital a few months ago to visit an ill family member, I feel that the presence of beauty and pain had never revealed it self, however, it was there nonetheless.
Admittedly, finding beauty in death is a difficult task. However identifying the pity I feel when in the presence of an ill person is an easy task for me unfortunately. Although pity disgusts me, I'd be lying if I proclaimed that I have never participated in the act of pitying another. Beth had spoke about the need to see past a person's illness and realize that they too posses a past with eventful experiences. Her placing Erik's paintings all around the hospital room did not emanate his position as a terminal patient but rather, a human being with children to be proud of, collections of masterful art works, and the strong will of a fighter. Seeing past one's present state to explore one's achievements not only creates mutual feelings of respect but of love. My stroking hand on my once sick cousin's shoulder, serving as a comforting factor now seems condescending and almost full of pity. To see past an illness, is to perceive a person as if their sickness never came about, possibly subsiding the inevitable factor that the end of loved one's time on earth is imminent.
The idea that dying first may be less painful because the sight of others dying first may be a bit more overwhelming in that the ability to reverse the death of others is impossible and so, the apperception of their suffering is unavoidable is understandable. Reflecting on this concept, I have found that this concept or rather, way of thinking, is selfish. When the death of someone we care about occurs, we subconsciously think about how this death with affect our own stability without their presence. We push their once potential-filled life into the gutter only to seek the optimum way to buffet with our mourning and sorrow. It's strange to think that many people spend a generous amount of time mourning but, yet they question: "How will I live without them?"
1. As adolescents, we have been shielded by the beauty and gruesomeness of death. Hospitals curtain and sanitize the pain our loved ones feel.
2. It's important to look past an ill patient's sickness and see them as a person with a colorful and productive past, deserving of compassion and good lasting moments with family and loved ones.
3. Being alive and having loved ones die first may be the most painful experience because you are watching them wither away while you too, wither away but, at a slower pace. Dying first would allow you to not go through the pain of seeing another die.
Having been offered Beth's intimate details about her experiences dealing with death, I certainly gained new insight on the realms in which one enters when his or her's loved one dies. Death is considerably taboo, as it is sacred and words about the deceased are almost, in a way, forbidden. This is a concept I have become fond of over the years, as this conversation in class was intense and foreign to me. In explaining the event in which she had seen her father die, Beth, with a slight quiver in her voice, had mentioned that even when the time to set our worries and tears free from our conscience, hospitals place white curtains over our eyes, shielding what we should be able to face. When she was able to take care of her husband 24-7 in the comfort of her home, she had experienced the most intimate and beautiful moments of her life. On the other hand, the cold and windowless walls of a hospital bedroom connote the sense of detachment and lack of emotion that overwhelms the air, essentially sanitizing and monitoring our own emotions by not allowing us to see suffering and the gruesomeness of death. After a white sheet is pulled over a dead body, leaving the last breath almost a whisper, the chance to embrace "a warmth left in the body before rigor mortis takes over" is gone. Having been in the hospital a few months ago to visit an ill family member, I feel that the presence of beauty and pain had never revealed it self, however, it was there nonetheless.
Admittedly, finding beauty in death is a difficult task. However identifying the pity I feel when in the presence of an ill person is an easy task for me unfortunately. Although pity disgusts me, I'd be lying if I proclaimed that I have never participated in the act of pitying another. Beth had spoke about the need to see past a person's illness and realize that they too posses a past with eventful experiences. Her placing Erik's paintings all around the hospital room did not emanate his position as a terminal patient but rather, a human being with children to be proud of, collections of masterful art works, and the strong will of a fighter. Seeing past one's present state to explore one's achievements not only creates mutual feelings of respect but of love. My stroking hand on my once sick cousin's shoulder, serving as a comforting factor now seems condescending and almost full of pity. To see past an illness, is to perceive a person as if their sickness never came about, possibly subsiding the inevitable factor that the end of loved one's time on earth is imminent.
The idea that dying first may be less painful because the sight of others dying first may be a bit more overwhelming in that the ability to reverse the death of others is impossible and so, the apperception of their suffering is unavoidable is understandable. Reflecting on this concept, I have found that this concept or rather, way of thinking, is selfish. When the death of someone we care about occurs, we subconsciously think about how this death with affect our own stability without their presence. We push their once potential-filled life into the gutter only to seek the optimum way to buffet with our mourning and sorrow. It's strange to think that many people spend a generous amount of time mourning but, yet they question: "How will I live without them?"
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
19 - Family Perspectives on Illness & Dying
It was odd and uncomfortable to randomly ask my mother about what she thought about illness and dying. Sitting on the beige colored couch, my mother tilted her head for a moment and gave a very straight forward answer, which was expected because this was not the first time I had ever talked about death with her. "We all experience illness and death at one point in time. We all die, it's a part of life you have to accept" she said nonchalantly. Hearing this, I imagined the words as if they were that of an actor's, scripted and practiced many times. I've heard this response one too many times and it serves as cliche but, most cliches are indeed true, including this one.
Cliches about death and illnesses live on forever through the internet, books, and stories. We have all learned that death is something everyone experiences yet, we fear it as if the idea were foreign. Our fear drives society to educate aspiring adolescents and encourage them to become doctors, surgeons, and nurses, essentially the middle men in between life and death, whose jobs are to prevent illness. With thousands of new medicines arriving in the market, we can begin to question our perception of medicine's importance. Looking forward to pursue a career in pharmacy, I have already discussed with my mother the importance of medicine in healing those who are ill. Having given her the basics of allopathic versus holistic medicines, I asked my mother which of the two she had preferred. A furrow in her brow, my mother pointed out the heath stimulating factor in which maybe holistic medicines such as herbs can provide security, extinguishing the need to worry about the side effects of a medicine with chemicals. As helpful as herbs may seem to be, the extent to which herbs can heal cannot reach that of allopathic medicines and so, different factors can determine the virtue of a certain medicine. Realizing the rational nature of my mother, I was surprised to see the contradictions in her response to my questions though, answering such a question is difficult considering the several variables.
After ending the discussion with my mother, I had realized I had already known what my mother would have answered in response to my questions. This itself had demonstrated how my mothers views of how to deal with illness and dying directly influence how I approach the same things. However, having been born in a different generation than my parents, my view of medicine is considerably different. I am fond of the idea of allopathic medicines as prescribed medicines are much more common than they were about 50 years ago. Solutions for colds, coughs, and congested noses have become more accessible and so, my desire to drink some herbal tea over having a measured dose of Robitussin has died down. Encouraging me to consume as little medicine as possible, my mother is strict in educating me the importance of health and self-worth of the body. As my mother's generation's approach to illness and dying overlap with that of my own generation's, I can conclude that allopathic and holistic medicines, both serving to deviate from the path of death, have both advantages and disadvantages.
Cliches about death and illnesses live on forever through the internet, books, and stories. We have all learned that death is something everyone experiences yet, we fear it as if the idea were foreign. Our fear drives society to educate aspiring adolescents and encourage them to become doctors, surgeons, and nurses, essentially the middle men in between life and death, whose jobs are to prevent illness. With thousands of new medicines arriving in the market, we can begin to question our perception of medicine's importance. Looking forward to pursue a career in pharmacy, I have already discussed with my mother the importance of medicine in healing those who are ill. Having given her the basics of allopathic versus holistic medicines, I asked my mother which of the two she had preferred. A furrow in her brow, my mother pointed out the heath stimulating factor in which maybe holistic medicines such as herbs can provide security, extinguishing the need to worry about the side effects of a medicine with chemicals. As helpful as herbs may seem to be, the extent to which herbs can heal cannot reach that of allopathic medicines and so, different factors can determine the virtue of a certain medicine. Realizing the rational nature of my mother, I was surprised to see the contradictions in her response to my questions though, answering such a question is difficult considering the several variables.
After ending the discussion with my mother, I had realized I had already known what my mother would have answered in response to my questions. This itself had demonstrated how my mothers views of how to deal with illness and dying directly influence how I approach the same things. However, having been born in a different generation than my parents, my view of medicine is considerably different. I am fond of the idea of allopathic medicines as prescribed medicines are much more common than they were about 50 years ago. Solutions for colds, coughs, and congested noses have become more accessible and so, my desire to drink some herbal tea over having a measured dose of Robitussin has died down. Encouraging me to consume as little medicine as possible, my mother is strict in educating me the importance of health and self-worth of the body. As my mother's generation's approach to illness and dying overlap with that of my own generation's, I can conclude that allopathic and holistic medicines, both serving to deviate from the path of death, have both advantages and disadvantages.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
HW 18 - Health & Illness & Feasting
My family does not celebrate Thanksgiving and so attempting to elaborate on the anti-body and body-centered practices of this holiday would be ultimately futile. However, physicality plays into my life willingly whether it pertains to a holiday or just a regular day. As we are the generation of technology, we have started to depend on phones and computers to communicate, a task performable by the simple vibrations of a human's voice box. Entering this anti-body world, we've become less comfortable with our bodies.
My sister, an avid member of this world, cannot accept the fact that she is addicted to texting though my mild accusations make a weak attempt to convince her otherwise. When I try to get my sister's attention by calling her name, she ignores me and shoos me away claiming she "couldn't hear" me. Yet, when the sound of her vibrating phone reaches her ears, she springs, without hesitating, to her phone to check her new text messages. My sister argues she enjoys the effortlessness of texting and would rather not have to go through the trouble of making plans just to talk. This lack of movement that my sister prefers is present in the event of dying and so I wonder, why, as human beings capable of several abilities, do we attempt to come close to death by discarding our abilities using "simplistic" technologies and fear death at the same time?
In the event of death, people begin to reconnect with their bodies realizing its significance. When sickness comes into play, one's well-being is at risk and neither anti-body or body-centered practices can be carried out. Having been at the hospital only a small number of times, I have seen people embrace their loved ones stretched out onto beige colored beds, gently stroking the loved one's arm. Though they could have just texted, "I love you. I hope you get well" but, instead chose to do otherwise offers me a theory: when something influential, in this case detrimental, occurs, one is willing to abandon their once beloved modern world of phones even if its only for a day. A harsh and a bit sad statement to make but, true nonetheless. The heat emanating from a human hand is considerably more comforting than the cold touch of a plastic cellphone. The comforting hand a family member offers to his or hers loved one is a sign of a body-centered practice. In conclusion, we subconsciously accept all the practices involving physicality.
My sister, an avid member of this world, cannot accept the fact that she is addicted to texting though my mild accusations make a weak attempt to convince her otherwise. When I try to get my sister's attention by calling her name, she ignores me and shoos me away claiming she "couldn't hear" me. Yet, when the sound of her vibrating phone reaches her ears, she springs, without hesitating, to her phone to check her new text messages. My sister argues she enjoys the effortlessness of texting and would rather not have to go through the trouble of making plans just to talk. This lack of movement that my sister prefers is present in the event of dying and so I wonder, why, as human beings capable of several abilities, do we attempt to come close to death by discarding our abilities using "simplistic" technologies and fear death at the same time?
In the event of death, people begin to reconnect with their bodies realizing its significance. When sickness comes into play, one's well-being is at risk and neither anti-body or body-centered practices can be carried out. Having been at the hospital only a small number of times, I have seen people embrace their loved ones stretched out onto beige colored beds, gently stroking the loved one's arm. Though they could have just texted, "I love you. I hope you get well" but, instead chose to do otherwise offers me a theory: when something influential, in this case detrimental, occurs, one is willing to abandon their once beloved modern world of phones even if its only for a day. A harsh and a bit sad statement to make but, true nonetheless. The heat emanating from a human hand is considerably more comforting than the cold touch of a plastic cellphone. The comforting hand a family member offers to his or hers loved one is a sign of a body-centered practice. In conclusion, we subconsciously accept all the practices involving physicality.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
HW 17 - First Thoughts on the Illness & Dying Unit
I think I have already accepted death as inevitable. The entirety of it is scary and unwelcoming. When I was young, my parents had told me blatantly that my cousin died in the 9/11 plane crash. I didn't know how to react but, one thing is for sure, I didn't cry or mourn. Had I cried, would I have reached some level of enlightenment? Had I mourned, would relatives at a dinner held years after his death realize that his death had not made me break down? As an avid television watcher, the role that which a family member plays when another dies is repetitive and plays out the same way and so, I had felt the way I had reacted was unusual. I'm not sure what to make out of this day though, I remember evading what had happened by merely trying to forget. Though this evasion had not done much to better my understanding of death. It was night time and my family and I had just walked through glass doors into a vaguely familiar restaurant for a family get together. I had forgotten about my cousins death by then and I'm ashamed to say so. I had asked his mother where he was and mentioned his name and by no mistake, I felt the sharp sting of her slap. His name was fresh in my mouth and I had no idea what I had done wrong at the time. But, that changes nothing and what's in the past is in the past. Extremely cliche but, these words made a weak attempt to explain how I feel right about now.
After re-reading what I previously wrote out of habit, I had realized that I had not mentioned my cousin's actual name. Does this directly correlate to what had happened the last time I spoke of his name? Probably, given the situation, it's considerable. About 2 years after this incident, my neighbor had committed suicide. The memory of this day is vivid and the feeling of my heartache is slightly present. I asked the police officer what happened with the eyes of a most innocent child and expectedly, he hesitantly responded. The word suicide was still vague. Then after, I hadn't spoken a word about the body I had seen on the white stretcher or his voice I had heard only hours earlier. The void feeling of nothing that overwhelms me when someone dies makes me feel shameful of my lack of intense emotion or desire to cry. This may be my way of coping with the idea of death seeing as the feeling of void was present in the two previous events that had occurred in my life.
I'm not sure what happens after death. I've given a good amount of thought thinking about it. Death isn't something I am looking forward to because of the many scenarios of death popping up on the news channel, newspaper, and television series. Through the media, I have seen people pitying the dead and pity disgusts me in many cases. I don't think pity is a sufficient way to deal with death probably because I have an immense stubbornness when someone questions my potential and whole-heartedly pities me. I digress but, death has always been put out to been horrendous, terribly sad, maybe even cartoonish. After death, the ability to think is gone now that the brain is not functional and so I wonder what would be my last thoughts when I die? Would my thoughts finish or be cut off by the end of my being on this terra? Retiring to the events that had made an impact on my perspective of death, I am unsure as to why I chose to offer anecdotes to demonstrate how I approach the notion of death. Replaying these events in my mind, now that I am older and considerably more knowledgeable, I don't think my understanding of death has become anymore clear but, instead has just become a blur that won't rub off on a pristine camera lens. And it's terribly strange to me as to our ability to elaborate on the idea of death is unlimited in words and thoughts even though we have not yet experienced it. But, somehow I feel that death is close at hand and fear is what drives me to avoid it.
After re-reading what I previously wrote out of habit, I had realized that I had not mentioned my cousin's actual name. Does this directly correlate to what had happened the last time I spoke of his name? Probably, given the situation, it's considerable. About 2 years after this incident, my neighbor had committed suicide. The memory of this day is vivid and the feeling of my heartache is slightly present. I asked the police officer what happened with the eyes of a most innocent child and expectedly, he hesitantly responded. The word suicide was still vague. Then after, I hadn't spoken a word about the body I had seen on the white stretcher or his voice I had heard only hours earlier. The void feeling of nothing that overwhelms me when someone dies makes me feel shameful of my lack of intense emotion or desire to cry. This may be my way of coping with the idea of death seeing as the feeling of void was present in the two previous events that had occurred in my life.
I'm not sure what happens after death. I've given a good amount of thought thinking about it. Death isn't something I am looking forward to because of the many scenarios of death popping up on the news channel, newspaper, and television series. Through the media, I have seen people pitying the dead and pity disgusts me in many cases. I don't think pity is a sufficient way to deal with death probably because I have an immense stubbornness when someone questions my potential and whole-heartedly pities me. I digress but, death has always been put out to been horrendous, terribly sad, maybe even cartoonish. After death, the ability to think is gone now that the brain is not functional and so I wonder what would be my last thoughts when I die? Would my thoughts finish or be cut off by the end of my being on this terra? Retiring to the events that had made an impact on my perspective of death, I am unsure as to why I chose to offer anecdotes to demonstrate how I approach the notion of death. Replaying these events in my mind, now that I am older and considerably more knowledgeable, I don't think my understanding of death has become anymore clear but, instead has just become a blur that won't rub off on a pristine camera lens. And it's terribly strange to me as to our ability to elaborate on the idea of death is unlimited in words and thoughts even though we have not yet experienced it. But, somehow I feel that death is close at hand and fear is what drives me to avoid it.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
HW 11 - FINAL FOOD PROJECT 1
Chosen Modality: Experiential
The sharing of food, stories, and laughs at the thin glass dinner table set perpendicular to the wall is essentially second nature to my body, purely reacting to my expectations. In my family, dinner time is like no other time, constituting its own sacred ritual where everyone eats and converses together. The dinner table represents the connection between all those who are eating, as each person is present at one of the table's edges and is within arms reach of another person. The literal feeling of the warmth shared between me, the food, and my family leaves my muscles less tense for the day. The absence of this feeling and connection may leave me wandering like a confused foreigner in the streets of Time Square. However, curiosity had struck me and the urge to find out whether I had enough will power to sit alone and eat, was stronger than the urge to do otherwise. To separate myself from this comforting familiarity of gathering to eat, I ate dinner alone, secluded in my beige-colored room with the wooden door shut, for two days.
Before beginning this mere journey, my mother consented favorably while my sister choked on her snack and then proceeded to laugh at the supposed stupidity of my idea but, her lack of concern didn't heed my original incentives. As I quietly shut the door to my room, creating the barrier between me and my family, I couldn't help but feel unusual and odd, as all the doors in my household are always open no matter the occasion. Proceeding to sit on my cushioned chair, I placed the moderately big plate of food on my desk and worried that my neat desk would probably end up with food oil nevertheless, I began to eat with chopsticks. These small movements and thoughts had taught me the value that I entrust into certain objects such as my work table and dinner table. I began to question: Why do I exude such indifference toward sauce on the dinner table when I give the upmost concern about oil marks on my work table? The change in location of where I would be eating made me realize how in the absence of my familiar dinner table and my family influences the way I react towards the same event.
In addition to a change in location, the silence that filled my room as I ate overwhelmed me as the only loudest things I could hear were the sounds of my gnawing on food. The subtle sounds of my family talking only traveled slightly through the slits of the closed doors and there I was, close in literal terms but, distant mentally. I only needed to walk a few paces to join the conversation but, of course, that would prohibit what I desired to obtain from this experience. Hearing big hearty laughs, I wanted laugh and talk and, I could have probably played the role my own company but, I worried my sister would laugh me and I wouldn't be present to defend myself. It was bizarre being alone during dinner time and led me to realize being a part of a task done together was important to me and so I had learned that the company of others plays a role in the enjoyment of my dinner. If I were to change one thing about my experiment, I would have completely isolated myself from the subtle chatter of my family because there is a chance that this change could have had a influenced the path of my inquiry and so, I wouldn't have have thought about what my family might've been laughing about.
In carrying out this fruitful experience, I had learned that gathering as a family and eating as one matters and serves a purpose to me not only as enjoyment but, as a necessity. Without permitting me to do so, I'm left alone to experience food, filled with flavors I am unable to share. In Michael Pollan's Omnivore's Dilemma, we learn we are accustomed to what our society portrays as normal therefore we rarely question the normal and stray away from this path. We are bound to our morals and values therefore we base our decisions on them. As all humans are burdened with the the omnivore's dilemma, they cannot help their inquiry of foods and the influence of society. Eating together as a family is a ongoing social practice in this society and so, to deviate from such practice would be "weird."
In my short two day experience, I had come to comprehend my values on a different perspective, realizing my decisions and desires not only rely on my opinion, morals, and values but, that of society's and its social practices. From Pollan's book, we can relate because as we are omnivores, we are given the ability to eat almost anything but, also the ability to reason what is right and wrong, whether slaughtering an animal is unjust. We can watch the line between what is normal and weird with a certain prudence but, we will never be able truly define such vague words.
In my short two day experience, I had come to comprehend my values on a different perspective, realizing my decisions and desires not only rely on my opinion, morals, and values but, that of society's and its social practices. From Pollan's book, we can relate because as we are omnivores, we are given the ability to eat almost anything but, also the ability to reason what is right and wrong, whether slaughtering an animal is unjust. We can watch the line between what is normal and weird with a certain prudence but, we will never be able truly define such vague words.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
HW 12 - FINAL FOOD PROJECT 2 - OUTLINE
Chosen Thesis for ARG 1: Many of the dominant social practices in our society - practices that define a "normal" life - on further investigation turn out to involve nightmares and industrial atrocities.
Supporting Claim #1: The industrial food industry does not clarify the ingredients of its foods to its consumers despite dangerous abnormalities that lie in the foods.
Evidence 1: Lighter Fluid in Chicken Nuggets / TBHT
Evidence 1.2: Cargill's dishonest labels
Evidence 1.3: No Changes in Statistics of Food Borne-Illnesses in Ground Beef: Views from the Industry
Evidence 1.4: Federal School Lunch Program uses more than 5.5 million pounds of ground beef, some contaminated with E. Coli and salmonella pathogens but agriculture department doesn't ban its sales to consumers
Supporting Claim #2: Industrial Food Corporations like Tyson and Cargill have continuously sold to their consumers, contaminated food, resulting in the advent of several food illnesses like E Coli. and Salmonella. Our nation's food safety system has overlooked flaws in the foods that have been approved
Evidence 2: Jack In the Box: Virulent Strain of E. Coli kills four children. (Story of Stephanie Smith)
Evidence 2.1: Egg Recall
Evidence 2.2: E Coli. Fight
WORKS CITED PAGE / LINKS (listed respectively from 1 - 2.2)
1 Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan (Page 114)
1.2 NYT Article
1.3 NYT Article
1.4 NYT Article
2 NYT Article
2.1 NYT Article
2.2 NYT Article
Thursday, October 21, 2010
HW 10 - Food, Inc. Response
Precis
Industrial food corporations have come a long way, succeeding in becoming the largest retailers and powerful companies that make more than half of the food we see at the supermarket and changing the way we eat compared to the last 50 years. Several food advocates argue to pass a bill on closing factories that continue to produce contaminated products but, food corporations like Tyson cannot be easily destroyed due to their thousands of consumers and deskilling workers which created more profitable and less money to pay to illegal immigrant workers. Not only does the mass production of meat create a problem but, the production of corn, that takes up 30% of the U.S. land base, cannot decline because of government policy that states corn must be sold below the cost of production that not only puts farmers at risk but, the limited amount of land we have to stockpile such cheap grains. As consumers, we deserve to know what we are eating and so, eating healthier and change in government will allow reform that will decrease the amount food poisoning, mad cow disease, and e coli infections. As of right now, because FDA cannot shut down factories due to multiple lawsuits and its lack of legislative authority, we must take initiative, starting with the most simplest of things, reading food labels and buying foods locally grown.
Industrial food corporations have come a long way, succeeding in becoming the largest retailers and powerful companies that make more than half of the food we see at the supermarket and changing the way we eat compared to the last 50 years. Several food advocates argue to pass a bill on closing factories that continue to produce contaminated products but, food corporations like Tyson cannot be easily destroyed due to their thousands of consumers and deskilling workers which created more profitable and less money to pay to illegal immigrant workers. Not only does the mass production of meat create a problem but, the production of corn, that takes up 30% of the U.S. land base, cannot decline because of government policy that states corn must be sold below the cost of production that not only puts farmers at risk but, the limited amount of land we have to stockpile such cheap grains. As consumers, we deserve to know what we are eating and so, eating healthier and change in government will allow reform that will decrease the amount food poisoning, mad cow disease, and e coli infections. As of right now, because FDA cannot shut down factories due to multiple lawsuits and its lack of legislative authority, we must take initiative, starting with the most simplest of things, reading food labels and buying foods locally grown.
What does this movie offer that the book didn't? What does the book offer that the movie didn't?
While watching Food, Inc., I could hear the tone of the voices of Michael Pollan and Schlosser and see actual videos of the processes of creating the final food product, which allowed information and opinions backed up by evidence sink into my mind more easily than if I were to have read and have to process the information then to create an opinion which would require confirmation. Both book and movie held serious biases and in no way exuded to being objective in any extreme case. Pollan offered humbly almost entirely one perspective of the food industry while Food, Inc. explored several. Despite this, producers did not allow supporters, the opposing view points, of the industrial food industry to back up their opinions and statements. Of course this is necessary because Food, Inc. serves an an argument not an impartial conversation disclosing the virtues of each side of the story. Though the pictures and videos shown in the movie were alluring, colorful, and mind-blowing, Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan allows more room for details while Food, Inc. is composed of all the necessary and key aspects of its argument.
What insights or questions or thought remain with you after watching this movie? What feelings dominate your response?
After hearing how Food Nation and Omnivore's Dilemma have changed countless meat eaters to vegetarians, I wonder why it hadn't impacted me enough to become a vegetarian? I've seen the factories and processes in Food, Inc. but why is it that I could eat a sandwich with bacon right after? Is it because I've accepted the industrial food industry or have I chosen to subconsciously ignore it? Change is fundamental and bound to happen at one point in time but with food corporations and their power in the economy, change isn't going to happen over night especially when capitalism is in play. Advocates of Industrial Food Industry are not thinking about the several lives they have taken with food illness but, the millions of dollars stacking up in their bank accounts. These advocates definitely have a conscious but, are willing to push away the guilt with money in the picture. Honestly, who wouldn't chase money, especially a huge amount of it? I'm not saying that everyone would but, I definitely would. Am I trying to be empathic? Yes but, I'd say the virtues of naturally grown organics are much bigger in number than that of the industrial food industry. I have more of a motivation to eat healthier but, when it comes to excluding meat from my diet, there's no question that meat is always a part of my meal. What can I say? I want what I want. Selfish? Maybe but these sharp pointy teeth aren't for chewing on some lettuce.
Monday, October 18, 2010
HW 7D
Book: Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan
Chapter 17 (The Ethics of Eating Animals)
Precis
As more meat eaters convert to vegetarians, the ethics of eating animals and talk of animal rights come into place. Controversy stirs about the suffering that factory animals endure and how the animal's suffering is no different from that of any other human. Big corporations, like Tyson, need to consider justifying their actions or else, their actions can be registered as discrimination against a creature capable of feeling pain and an animal who tries to avoid affliction as much as we humans do. If Tyson were to stop their unjustifiable slaughtering, their profit and trust from consumers will decrease and so, they continually refuse bills against their mass production and hide the truths of the factories from peering eyes and inquiry.
Gems
"Half the dogs in America will receieve Christmas presents this year, yet dew of us ever pause to consider the life of the pig- an animal easily as intelligent as a dog- that becomes the Christmas ham" (Pollan 307).
"Humans don't need to kill other creatures in order to survive; carnivorous animals do" (Pollan 310).
"Humans don't need to kill other creatures in order to survive; carnivorous animals do" (Pollan 310).
Thoughts
I'm surprised I'm still capable of eating meat without flinching after reading most of Omnivore's Dilemma. I doubt there's a chance I can make any measurable change to the food industry, so why try to change what's been going on for the past few decades? However, I don't believe I can justify the evil slaughter of factory animals yet, I can eat meat with no hesitation. Am I a hypocrite? Of course. Am I willing to go the distance to become a vegetarian and defend the animal rights? No but, that doesn't mean animal rights aren't important to me. I was born a carnivore, why should I change?
Chapter 18 (Hunting)
Precis
In the face of a group of pigs, my rifle did not shoot willingly at first ultimately because I was not mentally prepared. After a few outings, I had succeeded in killing in a pig but I was soon overwhelmed with the same horror when the time came to treat and prepare my meal. This process was unbearable as first but then developed into acceptance of my claim of awareness, pride, and food.
Gems
"Only the hunter, imitating the perpetual alertness of the wild animal, for whom everything is danger, sees everything and sees each functioning as a facility or difficulty, as a risk or protection" (Pollan 343).
"So much of the human project is concerned with distinguishing ourselves from beats that we seem strenuously to avoid things that remind us that we are beasts too - animals that urinate, defecate, copulate, bleed, die, stink, and decompose" (Pollan 357).
Thoughts
After reading about Pollan's disgust, I wonder if we can't handle the truth now, what will happen to our food industry 50 years from now and how will we react? I know for sure that I don't want to see a pig being slaughtered or a chick being vaccinated but, we are all responsible for the mass production of meat because we have all bought and eaten the meat one way or another whether we know it or not. A label picturing a red barn and cow is the primitive picture we all have enamored in our mind as children and so, what feelings would a picture of a factory on a label induce in us?
Chapter 19 (Gathering)
Precis
Hunting for mushrooms, one can find themselves lost but yet, extremely aware of one's surroundings or rather, the ground. Mushroom is hidden, seeking no attention in obscure places in the wild. As I scavenge for exceptional mushrooms, the chance of gathering a batch of poisonous mushrooms does not escape my mind, although, as I mitigate my knowledge of gathering mushrooms, I've come to realize that it is a peculiar skill, difficult to master. However, this skill represents the self-reliance we are determined to keep although in reality we depend mostly what is most easily accessible to us without much labor.
Gems
"The mysteries of germination and flowering and fruiting engaged me from an early age, and the fact that by planting and working an ordinary patch of dirt you could in a few months' time harvest things of taste and value was, for me, nature's most enduring astonishment" (Pollan 365).
"It was such a feeling of empowerment, to feed yourself by figuring out the puzzle of nature" (Pollan 380).
Thoughts
The idea of scavenging for mushrooms seems somewhat adventurous but, by no means, do I want to even step foot near poisonous mushrooms. I try to be efficient and some may misconstrue my actions as stubborn but, I have very little patience when it comes to growing or foraging things. Personally, I love mushrooms and maybe I might like the enduring process of picking out part of nature's bounty however, time is valuable and foraging my own food isn't as important to me. It could be a hobby or just something I merely enjoy partaking in on occasions, but as a routine, I doubt I have the motivation to continue unless of course my incentives were to change.
Chapter 20 (The Perfect Meal)
Precis
There is a distinct difference between great meal and a perfect meal and luckily, I had the chance to experience the flavors of my own perfect meal composed of all the things I had hunted, gathered, and grown. The entirety of the meal was realistic in the way that some of my exceptions and rules to my meal had to be broken and the experience was more valuable than the amount of calories in another food. The gathering of all those who had contributed to the meal was prolific and most rewarding, allowing the full-consciousness of a meal to blossom. However this meal cannot serve as a solution to the all important omnivore's dilemma.
Gems
"It occurred to me that the making of this meal, by acquainting me with these particular people, landscapes, and species, had succeeded in attaching me to Northern California, its nature and its culture both, as nothing I'd done before or since. Eating's not a bad way to get to know a place" (Pollan 408).
"Scarcely an ingredient in it had ever worn a label or bar code or price tag, and yet I knew almost everything there was to know about its provenance and its price" (Pollan 409).
Thoughts
The perfect meal seems impossible to me even though Pollan had achieved preparing and consuming it. But after finishing Omnivore's Dilemma, I can say for a fact I am 400 pages less ignorant than I was in the beginning of this course. This book has mitigated my knowledge of food that I know will make me step back from the shelves of food and read some labels and nutrition facts. I hope that same day I will get to have my own realistic meal that's close to perfect and only then will I be able to experience a true attachment to my food.
Friday, October 15, 2010
HW 9 - Freakonomics Response
Steven Levitt and Stephan Dubner approach the truths and eccentricities of society through a number of ways: accidents and pure research. Unknowingly exploring incentives, Levitt had embarrassedly found that his own offspring of 6 years had outsmarted him. In persuading or rather tricking his daughter to use the lavatory, Levitt provided a constellation of sweet M&Ms but, only if she were to use the toilet willingly, a bribe that all parents at one point or another present to their kids. Young miss Levitt was thrifty: realizing acquiring her all-time favorite candy was no longer a hassle and tricking her father was even easier. Soon after, Levitt, flabbergasted, could not believe his daughter had beat his scheme but, through this accidental experience, he had evaluated incentives. The right incentives allow someone to flourish and allow us to predict a plausible outcome of situation and the amount of effort the person will put into something. Incentives are what drive one to carry out a promise, a duty, morals, and ethics among other things.
To evaluate truth and clarify topics, Levitt and Dubner use comic book-like visuals and real life situations. The visuals presented in front of us during the movie were beautiful, not riveting but, luring nonetheless. Each transition from topic to topic, a new place and setting was humbly welcoming with its vibrant color and comic book animations. The comic-book like cut out people were humorous and drew my attention to the conveyed main idea when Levitt portrayed his daughter as a tiny rudimentary drawing animated on looseleaf. In doing the simplest task, he had come to find that even a 6 year old could trick a well educated economist into acquiring M&Ms easily. Each reenactment of a situation was played almost perfectly allowing watchers to live what they saw on the big screen. Reenactments could be seen when the protagonist was comparing how a real estate agent would wait longer to sell his house for a higher price compared to how he would go about advising his customer to decide to select an offer earlier than the agent would have chosen based on his different incentives. These different approaches to society sparked the most interest and therefore allowed me to gain a new perspective of incentives.
The Freakonomic's author's rely on statistics and not is what observably "obvious." They seek patterns that repeat over and over again in the statistics and only then make a conclusion. In trying to unveil the existence of yaocho in the sumo world of Japan, Levitt and Dubner needed factual data and they found exactly that in the winning to losing scores of each competitor. In the family of sumos, the winner was always chosen before the match had even started because one sumo would fall to let his opponent advance but, when both encounter again, the opponent is in debt to the sumo. The entirety of yaocho contains corruption and in turn, there are rigged matches therefore the purity of sumo has faded. This analysis of statistics is innovative because several other researchers in Japan didn't dare to question the sumo world because it was a sanctuary of purity, where one fought to gain respect and the quavering of this abundant idea would be nothing but, chaos. Levitt and Dubner found the factual data of the existence of yaocho while others could not see what was right in front of them.
Freakonomics can serve as an inspiration and a good example to our attempt to explore the "hidden-in-plain-sight" weirdness of dominant social practices because as conscious members of this society, we all try to uncover the mysteries that haunt us and spark inquiry. In society, we have created the ideal person, family, society, environment, morals, and values in order to stray away from foreign things. But now as we watch Freakonomics, we can see ideal does not trail far away from weird. Questioning the morals and ethics of cheating in the Sumo World isn't eccentric, it's our natural instinct to become wary of things "unmoral". Although, in questioning such things has brought among several theories, research, and evidence about society and its social practices. As we evaluate things on a number of variables such as morals, we can see how the idea of Freakonomics can directly correlate to Michael Pollan's Omnviore's Dilemma. Our food ways reveal what is acceptable and unacceptable in society. Our research and attempts to reconnect with nature in a forest of factories and chemicals will help us understand why we choose the foods we eat. Research will not mitigate our knowledge but, instead expand its depths straying away from ignorance. Yet, we cannot escape ignorance because we cannot see everything hidden in plain sight nor understand the reasons behind them.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
HW 7C
Book: Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan
Precis
Nurturing a pasture to its full health is possible. In Salatin's polyfarm, each animal plays its own significant role and contributes to every other animal in a way that each animal can flourish and provide energy to the entire ecosystem. The chicken is the source of fertility, feeding broilers, transforming then to feces which feeds the grass eaten by the cows. Not only are these tasks are efficient but also, profitable. The farm animals in Polyfarms not only represent a working population significant to the health of the farm but a path straying away from industrial agriculture.
Gems
"The thick June grass was silvered with the dew sequence of bright pastures stepping up the hillside dramatically set of by the broad expanses of blackish woods" (Pollan 209).
"In an ecological system like this everything's connected to everything else, so you can't change one thing without changing ten other things" (Pollan 213).
Thoughts
A polyfarm is both fundamental and self-sufficient, welcoming us humbly into its abode, without secrets but open arms. As to why there aren't more polyfarms, is obvious due to the food industry desire to increase their profits as much as they can by producing cheap foods to sell to consumers. Nature seems complex and the idea of trying to put nature under control using pesticides and other chemicals seems just as crazy and difficult. Why would we want to change something that sustained our ancestors just as well if not better? Change is inevitable but to preserve the idea of all-natural farming would do more good than bad for humankind. Is this ideal? I can't say for sure, because in this society, technology and science are superior as to where rudimentary ideas do not survive for long.
Chapter 12 (The Slaughter: In A Glass Abattoir)
Precis
Slaughter is never what'd you expect it'd to be and trust that slaughter is no pretty sight. The experience of slaughtering chickens was more than necessary in the event of my attempting to have a conscious and enjoyable meal. Salatin, on the other hand, thought gutting and cleaning chickens was ultimately an animosity and but lived out his world views, promising his consumers that his chickens were never welcomed into an industrial abode but, rather the natural cycle of life and death.
Gems
"Slaughter is dehumanizing work if you have to do it every day" (Pollan 233).
"The compost pile repulsed me, but what did that say? Beyond my nostrils, the pile offered an inescapable reminder of all that eating chicken involves- the killing, the bleeding, the evisceration" (Pollan 237).
Thoughts
When I take a bite out of a juice-filled cheeseburger, slaughter never comes to mind. I'm not sure if I subconsciously avoid the thought but, I know that the thought is somewhere wandering around in my mind. I don't do well in the presence of blood much less, guts and feces. Slaughter isn't my forte and definitely not the subject I'd like marvel at but, I can imagine the look I'd present everyday if I had to slice, cut, or sever anything alive. Quite honestly, I'd like to have been a little more ignorant of the process of slaughter but, I've accepted some aspects of it because the slaughter is the food on my plate and the meat on my bones and without these things, what would I be?
Chapter 13 (The Market)
Precis
Polyfarms strive to preserve the idea of community by limiting their sales to only local communities. This insures the preservation of natural resources in the environment. The industrial food industry has lured consumers in with its promise of convenience and low prices. Salatin's farm offers quality over quantity, saving you from pollution and diseases that are likely to derive from industrial foods. Polyfarms allow the relationship between seller and consumer to thrive and flourish unlike that of the industrial industry.
Gems
"Don't you find it odd that people will put more work into choosing their mechanic or house contractor than they will into choosing their food?" (Pollan 240).
"Yet this artisanal model works only so long as it doesn't attempt to imitate the industrial model in any respect" (Pollan 249).
Thoughts
Living in the city, reform from industrial foods to more healthy foods from polyfarm markets seems impossible. New Yorkers are far more worried with other things besides their meal. With shiny glass condos popping up around the city, where's there going to be places for more local markets? The average New York would not be willing to commute for more than an hour just to a market with locally grown food when there is a local supermarket just two blocks away.
Chapter 14 (The Meal)
Precis
Artificial foods hold no promise while grass fed foods guarantee authenticity and nutrition. Disease ridden industrial foods are unwelcoming and so, we should strive for the foods our ancestors ate with no hesitation. Genetic breeding cannot offer the bounties grass fed foods carry such as mega-3's and vitamin E.
Gems
"When chickens get to live like chickens, they'll taste like chicken too" (Pollan 271).
"Industrial diet of easy sugars has dulled your taste for the earthy sweetness of corn, now that it has to compete with things like soda" (Pollan 266).
Thoughts
After spending most of my life eating industrial foods, I wonder if I have ever really tasted the true flavor of chicken and if I did, would I realize a difference? Tasting a food is truly a sacred experience I wish I hadn't tainted with all the chemical induced foods I've digested. I'd spend more time marveling at a food of quality than a plate stacked high with unsatisfying commodities.
Chapter 15 (The Forager)
Precis
My experience foraging the food on my plate that would eventually end up in my stomach was fulfilling and prolific. Uncomfortably, I explored the forests in search of foods and developed more of an appreciation for nature. The idea of killing an animal processes no simple thought in mind instead induces stress. However, this meal will be fruitful and will tie me to nature as I eat consciously.
Gems
"Somehow I doubted I would feel quite at home stalking game in the woods, but it was reassuring to think that in doing so I would be contesting only my upbringing, not my genes" (Pollan 280).
"By contrast the hunter, at least as I imagine him, is alone in the woods with his conscience" (Pollan 281).
Thoughts
The method of hunter gathering would be hard to sustain especially in this community where consumers are likely to buy more than they need, generally stockpiling. The wilderness does not offer a constant supply we can indulge in. We have evolved our society in which things that cannot be consistent, are out of the competition. After adapting to eating an abundance of food for so long, I'm sure it'd be difficult to minimize our intake of food and surmount it onto the idea of hunter-gathering.
Chapter 16 (The Omnivore's Dilemma)
Precis
We omnivores carry the ability to be able to eat almost anything but, we tend to overlook the simplicity of food and stress which foods are good or bad. Humans not only eat food to eat, but to feel the pleasure and luxuries of culture. In addition, affordability and ethics play a big role in our choosing of which foods to eat among several other variables.
Gems
"Curiously, the one bodily fluid of other people that doesn't disgust us is the one produced by the human alone: tears. Consider the sole type of used tissue you'd be willing to share"(Pollan 292).
"The set of rules for preparing food we call a cuisine, for example specified combinations of food and flavors that on examination do great deal to meditate the omnivores dilemma"(Pollan 296).
Gems
"Curiously, the one bodily fluid of other people that doesn't disgust us is the one produced by the human alone: tears. Consider the sole type of used tissue you'd be willing to share"(Pollan 292).
"The set of rules for preparing food we call a cuisine, for example specified combinations of food and flavors that on examination do great deal to meditate the omnivores dilemma"(Pollan 296).
Thoughts
Taste is a significant factor especially a familiar taste that I know will do no harm but, allow my taste-buds to indulge in flavors and enamor itself fully. Our taste for good foods has developed and most definitely changed over the course of time and I wonder if that is a good thing? Has our taste for the good heightened or instead vice versa?
Taste is a significant factor especially a familiar taste that I know will do no harm but, allow my taste-buds to indulge in flavors and enamor itself fully. Our taste for good foods has developed and most definitely changed over the course of time and I wonder if that is a good thing? Has our taste for the good heightened or instead vice versa?
Friday, October 8, 2010
HW 7B
Book: Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan
Chapter 6 (The Consumer: A Republic of Fat)
Precis
In the nineteenth century, the only way to chomp through the corn surplus was to create an abundance of cheap corn whiskey to sell to consumers. The corn whiskey of the 1820s had brought an obesity epidemic among its consumers in The Alcoholic Republic much like that of America's Republic of Fat, where super-sized meals reign and our desire for sweet calorie filled foods have become important. Food that becomes more accessible and abundant overtime no longer holds demand or value but instead, take its place in the diets of people who can afford the high-fat western diet. As a result of the success in the production of cheap super-sized meals, such as the McDonald's Big Mac and 7/11's Big Gulp, big food corporations are determined to keep its bounty of corn running prolifically and its consumers fed with cheap detrimental calories.
Gems
"Our bodies are storing reserves of fat against a famine that never comes" (Pollan 106).
Thoughts
When the topic of super-sized meals rose, I began to think of the movie Supersize Me. I had watched this movie at a very ripe age and was utterly terrified but, honestly that didn't stop me from sneaking a fry or two. The temptation of foods filled with cheap calories, is far too hard to resist even for those who are wealthy and can afford obscenely priced organic foods. Even though we are the Republic of Fat, have we reached an extent to which there is a stopping point? How much farther can we sink into the "virtues" of synthetic foods and stray away from natural foods? If there are cheap calories, what are rich calories? Will this bounty of corn endure throughout the entire course of my life from beginning to end?
Chapter 7 (The Meal)
Precis
In 1983, the famous McNugget branded itself into the fast food industry, making convenience more accessible and supplanting beef as the most popular meat in America. Just as the nugget made its mark in the food industry, the generic fast-food taste became a distinct childhood past time of many adults. Even now, the taste of a McNugget has no distinguishable relevance to chicken because the nugget had established itself as a entirely different genre of food. As we blindly bite into the fruitful tree of the fast food industry, we forget we are eating animals. The industrial food chain obscures the histories of the foods it produces along with our sight for all-natural foods.
Gems
"According to A Consumer's Dictionary of Food Additives, TBHQ is a form of butane the FDA allows processors to use sparingly in our food: It can compromise no more than 0.02 percent of the oil in a nugget" (Pollan 114).
Thoughts
As a young child, I loved the greasy fries and crunchy chicken nuggets. It's no lie that I still do. Fast food is a distinct memory in my childhood. The smell of fries made me impulsively inhale the smell for as I long as I could. As I read this chapter and found out that nuggets contain butane, I felt ignorant followed by disgust. I had eaten nuggets this summer and I can't bear knowing I had consumed butane. Quite honestly, I'm not as utterly disgusted as I say I am because the talk of chemical additives in foods has become a repetitive song in my head. If the talk of unhealthy synthetic ingredients go into foods, why do most people try to ignore the facts? If people are aware, why do some choose to be ignorant when the consequences are more than obvious? Will knowledge overcome fear or will our fears just be consumed?
Chapter 8 (All Flesh is Grass)
Precis
The pastoral idea is very much alive serving more than just a utilitarian purpose but a necessary factor in our lives. Grass is the foundation of our food chain and ultimately our sustenance. Through biophilia, we are naturally bonded with plants, animals, and landscapes with which we coevolved. Joel Salatin allowed us to see diversity of animals on a farm is possible without the use of industrial machinery. The term "organic" has been misconstrued and used improperly as there are organic farms that claim they produce all-natural foods while using the very industrial methods they arrogated as detrimental to the environment.
Gems
"Our species' coevolutionary alliance with the grasses has deep roots and has probably done more to ensure our success as species than any other, with the possible exception of our alliance with the trillion or so bacteria that inhabit the human gut" (Pollan 128).
Thoughts
The idea of several pastoral farms sounds fundamental but, the fact that farmers like Salatin refuse long distance shipping, the production of more pastoral farms would be hard to achieve. The organic food chain wouldn't be ideal if organic farmers export their foods to america's supermarkets and fast-food outlets. Is the ideal the enemy of the good? Is industrial organic really a contradiction all on its own?
Chapter 9 (Big Organic)
Precis
The many health accompanying names on food products alleviate us and lead us to believe that "certified organic" or "humanely raised" is directly correlated to its speciality among other foods. A foods value increases if it is accompanied by stories that tell of grassy scenery and stress-free environments. The term organic has completely changed over the course of time and consumers can be easily sucked into the implicit narratives that go along with the overpriced "organic" food. Organic is merely a label to increase profits and disguise its true nature, the entirety of an industrial artifact. We, the consumers, conjure up the virtues of organic foods thereby, creating a distinct difference between good and bad foods.
Gems
"The organic food industry finds itself in a most unexpected, uncomfortable, and, yes, unsustainable position: floating on a sinking sea of petroleum" (Pollan 184).
Thoughts
Has the "industrial" part of industrial organic farm hidden itself in the eyes of the consumers? Is it our fault we overemphasize the meaning of organic? What qualifications does a food need to fit in order to be considered organic? When the word organic comes to mind, I think of Whole Foods. What does my first thought of organic food tell me about my food perspective? I look into my own cabinets and refrigerator and wonder which foods have been processed or rather, passed through an industrial food factory? As these questions stump me, I know one thing is for sure, the boat of simplicity has sailed.
Chapter 10 (Grass: Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Pasture)
Precis
As a society, we overlook the importance grass holds. Grass that spreads across the pasture not only creates a scenic view but, allows us to capture solar energy. Agriculture surrounds this idea of converting solar energy into quality human energy. Management-intensive grazing guarantees efficiency without higher capital and petroleum energy inputs. Through Salatin's farm, we can see simplicity is possible and natural methods of farming can be carried out efficiently and can increase the diversity of species in pastures. However, this productivity cannot not be achieved several times because the success of industrial farms is far too large.
Gems
"Cows eating grasses had themselves eaten the sun: The food chain at work in this pasture could not be any shorter or simpler" (Pollan 195).
Thoughts
I have a vivid memory of my pushing out my hand with pellets of food to the sheep on the other side of the fence. I was more terrified about the well being of my hand than worried about whether the sheep in front of me was going to get the pellets I shoved into his sight. My composure is stiff when in the presence of animals much larger than me and so, my memory of the farm itself, was blurry. However, nursery rhymes would always put the idea of farming at ease. A picture of a red barn and cows grazing over a pasture was a part of my childhood. If farming was put out to be so natural, beneficial, and easy-going, why can't there be more polyfarms? What would come out of a drastic transition from industrial to non-industrial? If farmers like Salatin refuse to FedEx or ship their goods, how do they expect to expand their successes?
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
HW 8 - Growing Our Own Food
Reaching out with my emptied salsa jar in hand, I watched the tiny brown seeds skitter down the glass concave curves. I had decided then that I would commit myself to nurturing my plant. The first few days of nurturing my sprouts, I stood examining my jar restlessly, jostled and annoyed that my sprouts were still ripe seeds while that of my classmates were sprouting tinted yellow and white stems, escaping its brown shell. Though this didn't hinder my determination to rinse my sprouts routinely. I was committed to my sprouts just as much as I was militant about getting a good education. Soon enough my sprouts were more than eager to break out of their bitter brown shells and greet me. Seeing the abundance of my sprouting seeds, I knew I had done my job and in return, the sprouts had offered me happiness and pride. I held my jar up to peering dubious faces with a self-sufficient pride that no one could ease me out of. Having grown my own food, I had gained a fruitful and prolific experience. The feeling of self-sufficiency was more than valuable but sacred because I had acquired the same feelings as our hunter-gatherer ancestors felt.
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