The omnivore's dilemma: food choices and agriculture
In The Omnivore's Dilemma, Michael Pollan uses the tools of both history and anthropology to uncover that it is that concerns humans on a daily basis – eating – and why that seemingly innocent choice has ramifications far beyond any single meal. What then, is the omnivore's dilemma? Briefly, humans, being omnivorous, can eat a number of things – meat, grain, vegetables, many plants and animals, and numerous things nature has to offer. Deciding what to eat becomes a challenge in that cuisine is a part of physical culture, geographic area, societal pressures, and individual availability – yet inevitably causes continual anxiety (p.3). This anxiety, though, has a profound effect upon the natural world since the decisions that are now made within the modern world have dramatic effects upon the ecology of the planet, and indeed, the potential continuation of the species. To do this, Pollan reviews three principle food chains: Industrial, Organic, and Hunter/Gather and looks at the historical, economic, and sociological consequences of each chain.
Omnivores Dilemma Profits Over People
The author, Michael Pollan, writes a book the covers many topics related to what Americans eat and why they eat it. this paper delves into Pollan's narrative and finds that while he finds factory farms revolting, he nonetheless likes meat and poultry. While he pretends to admire vegetarians, he actually questions the sincerity of youthful vegetarians. This paper takes him to task for his elitism regarding youthful vegetarians.