Book Talk D

Chapter 17

Humans all have equal rights to not being eaten by one another. Why dont animals have those same rights? Singer suggests these ideas in his book Animal Liberation. Seems to me that singer is implying that the live of the animals is sacred. Pollan begins to read Singers book in order to learn more about the routine of eating meat. Pollan decides to takes in what the book says and decides to try being vegetarian. (I imagine that is not a quick transition.) Although after speaking with Singer he rules against it. The book argues that meat eaters have a difficult time understanding the point of view of thinking about the treatment of the animals. Maybe they convince themselves otherwise in order to escape the reality of what is actually taking place. But do these animals suffer? I think that eating meat is a part of life. It is all-apart of a food cycle. However I do agree in the sense that animals should not be miss treated. From what I know so far I think yes they are. I do agree with Pollan in the sense that there is a difference between pain and suffering. Animals should not be mistreated. But under what circumstances is that preventable? We slaughter these animals for meat, while growing crops pesticides kill insects. We can let the animals live as they normally would naturally and then humanly slaughter them. So what’s the best way to go about it? Well maybe Temple Grandit was on to something when she devises a method to humanly slaughter cows, so that they were not in such distress.

Chapter 18

Pollan and a group of other set out in search of their next meal, a wild pig. A gun makes all the difference when walking around in the woods. He feels the adrenalin rush, and describes it as “One of those experiences that appear utterly different from inside than from the outside.” Which to me sums up the over all food system investigation. Everything I thought about food has turned out to be so much more complex and different.

In the woods the group comes across a wild pig, unfortunately Pollan does not have a ready gun. He is determined to be the one to kill the meat himself. The next time they set out on their expedition Pollan find a cluster of pigs, this time successfully kills a pig. I would imagine after killing something yourself, you would feel both accomplished let guilty. At first Pollan feels reacts out of grateful and happy. Later while tearing up the pig he comes to realize what he did and begins to have feels of guilt, but its only “reality of our own animal nature.” Pollan found anew appreciation for food, when he tracked it done and killed it himself.

Chapter 19

Be a gatherer. Pollan sets out on a mission to gather the second part to his self-made meal. Collecting fungi is a tricky task, because Pollan needs to be careful which ones he picks. Some can turn out to be harmful rather can helpful to your body. Mushrooms unlike plants do not rely on sunlight as their supply for energy; they get their energy from materials like decomposing dead vegetables. Pollan finds it more challenging than he thought because the mushroom are hidden and found in secret places. However Angelo has no trouble. People adjust to meet the survival standards of living. He is used to it, this is a way of life, just like we are all pretty used to our way of life. So Pollan felt more comfortable with the mushrooms Angelo found instead of the ones he did. Which was probably a smart idea, “happily follow the lead of a fellow omnivore who has eaten the same food and lived to talk about it.”

Chapter 20

The very last chapter in the book, its meal time! He first sets a list of rules and exceptions for himself. One of those exceptions including the salt from then San Francisco Bay because of how horrible it turned out to taste. So he had to rely on Angelo for some of the necessary ingredients. But after a long time of preparation and collecting, Pollan starts cooking. The very last chapter in the book, its meal time! He first sets a list of rules and exceptions for himself. Like no including the salt from then San Francisco Bay because of how horrible it turned out to taste. So he had to rely on Angelo for some of the necessary ingredients. But after a long time of preparation and collecting, Pollan starts cooking. Main course: Wild pig, cooked two ways. Side dishes: fava bean toasts, bread. Without any big problems the meal turns out. Although it is not practical for people living in today’s world, Pollan was very pleased with the outcome of his meal. imply himself to gathered and collect everything that was apart of the meal made him feel accomplished. Most people do not understand the value of food until they themselves have to hunt and gather it themselves, a meal that is eaten in full consciousness of what it took to make is worth preparing every now and again, if only as a way to remind us of the true costs of the things we take for granted.” The complelty oppisite end of the food system compared to the McDonalds meal he ate. With this method, It takes a few dedicated people to change their eating habits to eating healthier to result in a bigger change. Pollan suggests educating people on where food comes from, which make a big enough impact to cause a change in thinking.