With the introduction of food currently being portrayed as either poison or medicine in the media it is no wonder that the worldview of food has started to change. We have become more socially aware and conscious of the ethics of eating animals. In order to fully comprehend this viewpoint, I read about the arguments that discussed the controversial subject and formed opinions and questions of my own. Descarte infamously said that "animals are machines" but conflicting opinions, such as modern food-philosopher Peter Singer, support the individuality and rights of animals, and argues that if humans are so focused on achieving equality, how can we still selfishly killing a breathing animals with thoughts and feelings. And although animals have varying intelligence, there is favouritism within them, they are all slaughtered regardless. Among others, after reader Peter Singer's Animal Liberation I was motivated to become a vegetarian. Eventually, I came to the consensus that eat meat is morally fine, depending on whether one is conscious and respectful about it; the animal must be raised in an environment like that of Polyface Farm, have lived without unnecessary suffering and killed humanely.
Gems:
"The industrial animal factory offers a nightmarish glimpse of what capitalism is capable of in the absence of any moral or regulatory constraint whatsoever." (Pg 318).
"The great advantage of being a 'reasonable creature,' Franklin remarks, is that you can find a reason for whatever you want to do" (pg 310).
Thoughts:
Although I see the slaughtering of innocent animals to be unnecessary, I had never viewed it from the side that Singer took it. I actually found it fascinating, and although I did try to think of an argument, I found I could not. Maybe because I am a little biased, but I agree with Singer. Also I thought it was a good choice of Pollan to really live on the other side of things, and having seen all he has seen I found it surprising that he chose to continue eating meat.
Chapter 18:
Initially, I was worried about hunting, similar to that of my apprehension to picking the wrong mushroom and killing myself. My preconceptions of hunting were that it was a pointless sport that rednecks took part in to add to their chauvinistic egos and have mindless fun. But once I was stood in a 7 eleven, with my blood stained jeans I felt proud. I felt part of an exclusive club, and I felt respected. After failing on my first attempt to shoot a pig, the second opportunity resulting in the death of a 190 pound sow. The practice called "Dressing" (which is actually undressing) the pig was vile, and even more disturbing than physically shooting the animal. It made me realise why so many people are disgusting by the sheer thought of hunting.
Gems:
"But this is not passive or aesthetic attention; it is a hungry attention" (pg 335)
"the greatest and most moral homage we can pay to certain animals on certain occasions is to kill them" (Gasset,337)
"In a sense, that's what Angelo was really hunting,not pigs so much as prosciutti." (Pg 339)
Thoughts:
I have always been against hunting,as I viewed it as a mindless sport. Thinking about it, has society formed that? Because naturally, my instinct should be in favour of this kind of practice, as this was the way we originally survived. My hesitance is similar to that of the gatherer state of mind, it feels unnatural and wrong. Although, with gathering you are not killing an animal with thoughts and feelings. Maybe Pollan is right, hunting may be different outside to inside, maybe I just simply do not understand it. Personally, I think it is the male ego/instinct trying to prove his masculinity as we are simply reverting back to roots.
Chapter 19:
During my research for the book, I found that mushroom hunters are very sacred about their 'spots.' I was informed that if someone told me their spot, they would have to kill me (half jokingly.) After my first experience with Angelo I discovered there was an art to mushroom hunting. So I felt extremely privileged to be invited to go with out Anthony, a friend of Jean Peirres. Eventually, I began to find some on my own, in fact I found 5, which sounds pretty unimpressive, but you should have been out there. Generally, we are still pretty ignorant towards fungi, as it is an area which is practically untouched in science. Generally, they are a hard species to understand as we don't have science sophisticated enough to measure fungis unusual powers.
Gems:
"....we like to think of ourselves as self reliant, even if only for a few hours at the weekend, even when growing the stuff winds up costing twice as much as it would to buy it at the store." (pg 365)
"Mexicans call mushroom carne de los muertos- "flesh of the dead"" (pge 376)
Thoughts:
Again I think this is a case of primal instincts taking place. I found it interesting when Pollan talked about the 'head omnivore' as this generally is the person we look to for guidance and to tell us what is 'good to eat.' Whether it be a parent, a friend or the media.
Chapter 20:
My Saturday was a accumulative meal of everything i had learnt for Angelo, Sue, Anthony, Richard, Judith, Isaac, and myself. It was made entirely out of ingredients that I or a friend had grown, foraged, caught, or hunted, and was representative of my experience throughout the book. It was a feast of Fava Bean Toasts, Sonoma Boar Pâté, , Egg Fettuccine, Power Fire Morels, braised leg and grilled loin of Wild Sonoma Pig, Wild East Bay Yeast Levain, Very Local Garden Salad, Fulton Street Bing Cherry Galette, Claremont Canyon Chamomile Tisane, and 2003 Angelo Garro Petite Syrah Wine. Serving for European tastebuds, it didn't quite meet the unnattainable standards, but to me it was perfect, as it was all me. Everythingwas made with passion and thought, and to me, that made it taste all the sweeter.
Gems:
What this means is the calories we'd be consuming represent energy captured by trees rather than, as is typical now, by annuals in fam fields or grasses in pastures" (pg 399)
"Its impossible to prepare and eat a meal quite so physically, intellectually, and emotionally costly without thinking about the incalculably larger debts we incur when we eat industrially" (pg 410)
Thoughts:
I love the way that Pollan signifies what he has learnt in a symbolic meal throughout the book. I think it is a visual way of representing it, rather than just telling the reader something. I think the way that the meal tastes alot better because it was personal to him and he had made i himself, reinforces an earlier point that I had made that we are constantly reverting back to our instincts. It gives you a sense of accomplishment when you make something from scratch and when you take this to the extreme just like Pollan did it gives your meal an extra sentimental edge.
No comments:
Post a Comment