Michael Pollan separates his Omnivores Dilemma into three main sections: Industrial, Pastoral, and Personal. Each of these separate sections were created to show us the different types of meals Americans have, such as industrial (corn), organic, and hunter-gather meal. The reason he did this is because of the common question us omnivores have daily, "What should we have for dinner?" Each and every one of our meals falls into one of these categories.
He uses a first person perspective throughout the book. Hes the main character and goes to different places such as a farms, mills, forests, and talks about the meals he prepares. We get to take an inside look of his mind and what he thinks about when presented with different sets of information.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Honors Assignment 3
Michael Pollan comes at the situation from a food critic perspective. He strives to get the facts about what our food is really made from and inform the reader. He does a great job of manipulating the tone of the book to raise mystery and the want to learn the truth. He constantly relates new information to previous stated facts to help prevent the reader from getting loss in a sea of information.
This book is intended for the average American whose interested in what they're eating. Anyone can read this book if they're curious about the process corn has from the farm to our stomach. There is so much involved and this book can either have you proud of accomplishments with corn or shocked.
This book is intended for the average American whose interested in what they're eating. Anyone can read this book if they're curious about the process corn has from the farm to our stomach. There is so much involved and this book can either have you proud of accomplishments with corn or shocked.
Thesis/Purpose
In Omnivores Dilemma, Michael Pollan's purpose is to cause Americans to ask themselves, "Do they know what they're eating?" and answer the question "What should we have for dinner?" Most people don't know what they're eating and the process behind it. Therefore Michael goes into detail to inform the reader about what they're really eating, and that is corn. This crop is grown in the thousands on a single plot, and plays a major role in the all of our foods.
I believe its important that we have books like this to inform our society about what goes into our food. Its sad because for the most part, humans eat everyday but more than half of them can't identify what they're eating or where it came from. This is when a book, such as this one, can enlighten people about truth about what their food.
I believe its important that we have books like this to inform our society about what goes into our food. Its sad because for the most part, humans eat everyday but more than half of them can't identify what they're eating or where it came from. This is when a book, such as this one, can enlighten people about truth about what their food.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Organism ID
Scientific Name: Dysdera Crocata
Common Name: Woodlous Spider
Physical Description: The female size can range from 11-15mm, and the males from 9-10mm. The color of their cephalothorax ranges from dark red to an orangish color. However we found a white dysdera crocata in the garden. They also have a brownish abdomen. One distinct feature of these spiders is their large fangs.
Description of Life Cycle: They live under logs and soil, near warm places. Usually this is near homes because of their food, woodlice.
Predator/Prey information: They prey upon woodlice, and Pillbugs.
Interesting Facts: They have large fangs, and a venomous bite to immobilize their prey. However their venom isn’t hazardous to humans.
Scientific Name: Armadillidium vulgare
Common Name: Pill Bug or Roly Polies
Physical Description: It can reach a length of about 18 millimeters. They have a light shell-like crustaceous exterior shell that is usually a grayish color. Depending on the species and the region, their shell can range from earthly colors to black with red dots (similar to a black widow). They have five abdominal segments and vestigial antennas.
Description of Life Cycle: They normally have a life cycle of 30-41 months.
Predator/Prey information: Ants, spiders, shrews, toads, frogs, newts, lizards, small owls, foxes, centipedes, harvestmen, beetles, and other isopods.
Interesting Facts: They are omnivorous. They feed off of fungus, concrete, live or dead plants and animals.
Scientific Name: Hedera Helix
Common Name: Common Ivy
Physical Description: This ivy is a woody, evergreen climber. It can reach 30m high, but can creep along the ground. They’re hairless, dark green above, pale green beneath, glossy, and leathery. They also grow berries which can be toxic to humans.
Description of Life Cycle: During the early stages of its life, it covers the ground. Over time, they have a different shape, lighter shade of green, and less visible white veins.
Predator/Prey information: It’s not a predator, but can harm plants around it. It’s not preyed upon, but it does suffer from pest and rats.
Interesting Facts: Older vines can be up to 5 inches thick. Also they’re adhesive, so they can stick to walls and trees.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Monday, October 17, 2011
Honors Reading Assignment 1
I chose to read The Omnivores Dilemma by Michael Pollan for my honors assignment.
Michael Pollan was born on Long Island, New York. He recieved his B.A. in English at Bennington College and his M.A. in English at Columbia University. He has written 6 books total, and three of them: Second Nature, A Place of My Own, and The Botany of Desire were New York Times bestsellers received book of the year by Borders, Amazon, and the American Booksellers Association. His books have a common theme of health choices, and nutrition in the American diet. The purpose of this is enlighten American's of the health risk they face everyday, and the more ecological/health beneficial choices we can make at the dinner table. Therefore, I do believe he posses the credentials to inform the reader about these topics. Michael Pollan writes for the New York Times Magazine. He currently teaches journalism at the University of California-Berkley.
Michael Pollan was born on Long Island, New York. He recieved his B.A. in English at Bennington College and his M.A. in English at Columbia University. He has written 6 books total, and three of them: Second Nature, A Place of My Own, and The Botany of Desire were New York Times bestsellers received book of the year by Borders, Amazon, and the American Booksellers Association. His books have a common theme of health choices, and nutrition in the American diet. The purpose of this is enlighten American's of the health risk they face everyday, and the more ecological/health beneficial choices we can make at the dinner table. Therefore, I do believe he posses the credentials to inform the reader about these topics. Michael Pollan writes for the New York Times Magazine. He currently teaches journalism at the University of California-Berkley.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Photosynthesis Review Questions
1.) In the two weeks the plants didn't get watered, they weren't able to properly photosynthesize. They need water, carbon dioxide, and sunlight in order to successfully photosynthesize. Its similar to humans only getting food and no water. We wouldn't die right away, but without water, there isn't much hope. Without water, the light dependent cycle cannot function correctly, therefore the plant cannot create its own food. Which is a problem because plants are autotrophs, so they have to create their own food.
2.) If the stomata is closed, that would cause problems for the plant. The stomata closes when the plants need to conserve the H20, 02, and CO2 inside of the plant. However the problem with the stomata closing is that it doesn't allow anything in or out of the plant. So basically none of the C02 needed for photosynthesis can't get inside, which will stop the Calvin Cycle(light independent cycle).
2.) If the stomata is closed, that would cause problems for the plant. The stomata closes when the plants need to conserve the H20, 02, and CO2 inside of the plant. However the problem with the stomata closing is that it doesn't allow anything in or out of the plant. So basically none of the C02 needed for photosynthesis can't get inside, which will stop the Calvin Cycle(light independent cycle).
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