Conversation 5- Janet

Summary

According to Pollan, the omnivore’s dilemma is the challenge humans face when deciding what to eat. For example he argues "we codify the rules of wise eating in an elaborate structure of taboos, manners, and culinary traditions... from the proper size of portions to the order in which foods should be consumed."

Q8: Pollan discusses how the rise of research organizations is causing for people to have a shift in their belief for eating meat as he states "organizations like People for the Ethical Treatment of Ani- mals (PETA) have given us new reasons to doubt meat is good to think." (Pollan,3) I personally think that vegetarianism and animal awareness are most popular right now as it has largely impacted our environment. For example, most people are aware that the action of slaughtering animals has impacted many factors such as to causing deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and excessive water and resource use. Pollan also acknowledges the health arguments for vegetarianism, such as reducing risks of heart disease and obesity associated with the high consumption of meat, particularly the fact that meat today tends to be highly processed.

Q9: Pollan uses the term "schizoid quality" to describe peoples conflicting and often contradictory attitudes toward animals. For example, he states " Half the dogs in America will receive Christmas presents this year, yet few 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, 4) He also connects it to the fact industrial farming and the modern food system have distanced people from the realities of animal suffering, He observes: “We tolerate this schizophrenia because the life of the pig has moved out of view.” (Pollen, 4) We often don't stop to think the process it took to be get your bacon to go along with your pancakes or the life that the animal once had. We in a way try to block it from entering as a thought as we eat.

Q10: Pollan highlights Berger’s argument that industrialization and urbanization have caused humans to lose a direct and meaningful connection to animals. The point is significant to Pollan’s argument as it points out the moral and emotional numbness that allows people to consume animal products without any pity and overlooking environmental consequences. For Pollan, the "invisibility" of animals in the industrial food system enables the continuation for the exploitation of animals and the ignorance humans have towards animal cruelty as he states "nowadays it seems we either look away or become vegetarians." (Pollan, 4)