THE POWER OF THREE- All this nonsense of "So, there's nothing I can do to help" has made me think. What if we just reach out to one person. If we have accepted the change and begun to act on it, then we are already making a difference. If we then tell a friend about what is really going on in the food industry, we have made a greater difference. If they go out, and tell another person, it becomes the domino effect. To think it can't be done, is foolish. Yes, it may be the utopian idea, and not all will agree, however, a difference can be made by educating our community and our world. So, PAY IT FORWARD, make that difference. It is this video that inspires me to make a change. I will change the world by first changing myself. I plan to research more about the vegan diet. Even Paul Mccartney takes a stand and speaks out. CHECK OUT THESE WEBSITES:
General Info and Directory: (Recipes, Diets, and General Info.)
http://vegan.com/
For the animals, our environment, and our health:
http://www.vegan.org/about_veganism/index.html
Make the difference:
http://features.peta.org/VegetarianStarterKit/
The Vegan Society: (The Support you are looking for!)
http://www.vegansociety.com/
I am still talking about this film, on facebook, at work, and during dinner
conversations. My mind is still boggled. There are multiple topics I have come
across. These ideas are a few that I have narrowed down.
-The labeling on the packaging is far too deceiving to be considered appropriate. Something needs to be done about this. I want to know what has been done to fix it, what ought to be done, and how to do it. My hopes in this research paper is to prepare for a change in the future.
-Another way to create change is to research the quaility and benefits of eating organic. I want to learn where we can get organic food. Stonyfield.com is one resource. Learn what stores are jumping on the Organic Bandwagon.
-Perhaps one possible topic would include a case study on one individual family to see what they are going through. "The Dollar Meal" portion of the film made me consider the following question, "Do some families not have the choice?"
-This idea of FAST FASTER BIGGER CHEAPER and how we have become a nation where bigger and faster is ALWAYS better. Then, possibly focusing on how to alter this view and strive for a better tomorrow.
-If that doesn't make you strive for a better tomorrow, maybe researching the way animals are treated and how it really affects them will.
-What does our future entail?
- What about the science behind salt, fat, and sugar, and how we are wired to crave these things?
-Or, how about the fish that are now being fed corn!?!? What else is the industry getting away about that defeats our ignorance!?
-Maybe we could compare the organic farmer to the industrial one.
Possibly learn about CAFO and USDA.
-Let's get real and see how many children and/or families have been affected by Ecoli outbreaks.
-And lastly, "we wouldn't treat humans like this." This was mentioned in the movie and it was all I thought about. How can anyone get away with trying to justify this way of treating animals. I want to know what the animal rights groups are saying and what they're doing to stop this. One resource: www.apawspets.org/
I seriously am sick after watching this video. I knew going into this I wasn't going to like it. I have read and discussed books similar to this topic before, like Fast Food Nation and Chew on This. We are in this world that has become so industrialized that we have allowed ourselves to forget our foundational understanding of what is right and what is clearly wrong. When the one important, edumacated guy stuck his hand into the stomach of an animal to feed it, my stomach sunk. No matter the IQ, we know that is simply wrong. The justification given is just sickening, like "Oh, we are forced to do this because of money," or "it doesn't hurt them," or "we're just helping society." WHY NOT STAND UP FOR WHAT IS RIGHT!!!! Another disturbing point in the video was the little chickadees going for a ride on a conveyerbelt only to meet their doom at the end of the roll. SERIOUSLY! MURDERERS! Okay, so I definitly believe as humans, we are to take part of the natural life cycle and eat animals, but, we are to respect them and treat them with some sort of dignity. When the Indians hunted way back in the day, they were sure to use every piece of what they killed. Nothing went to waste and no animal suffered. It was appreciated, respected, and most importantly, they were grateful of them and nature. This new industrial way of America and it's fast food demands is every thing opposite from the right way. I am actually angry by this. Seeing this first hand makes me think of my own choices in the food I choose. I haven't eaten eggs, chicken, or any dairy since this movie. All I keep thinking about are the animals that suffer. I will eventually eat meat again, but only when I learn how to appropriately pick out the right products to ensure that I am not promoting what these people are doing.
In majoring in Writing Arts and Elementary Education, I am very aware of what being reflective means. The past three and a half years I have focused on reflecting on my past work to improve it or acknowledge what I have done well. In one course, Evaluating Writing, I have learned how to reflect upon readings by making connections to past readings or events. As far as being reflexive, I believe it is about creating a positive change that ultimately affects more than just me, but the actual world. What the world means to you and how you feel you can change it, and then, actually creating change. Take a look at this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cgq8nDBcufo&feature=player_embeddedOne person can make a huge difference by affecting three people, and then each one of those people are then encouraged to affect three people, and so forth...and change is made. The Realm of Possibility http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKpieWec_7w&feature=relatedWhat does the world mean to you? What impact does Food Inc create for you? Why aren't we global thinkers? What does the world expect of us, of you? How do we not be stuck? How do we make a difference? These are the questions we ask when we reflect. Being reflexive, is making the change. By flipping the things you don't like in the world and creating a positive change. You can do it! You can surprise us!
Linda Shopes "What is Oral History" explains thoroughly what Oral History is, how historians use it, and how we should interpret it. Oral History has been the spoken word for multiple generations. The beginning collections of oral history began with the Federal Writers Project (FWP) during the late 1930's and early 1940's. Though this was the start of a new way of recording history, it was not very reliable due to its lack of recording audio. Without any recording devives, oral history relied heavily on human note-takers. Therefore, the actual beginning of Oral History was in 1948. Allan Nevins work at Columbia University is greatly valued because of his systematic approach, which was substantial for the future through his recorded work.
Linda Shopes summarized it this way, "oral history might be understood as a self conscious, disciplined conversation between two people about some aspect of the past considered by them to be of histrical significance and intentionally recorded for the record. Although the conversation takes the form of an interview, in which one person-the interviewer- asks the questions of another person- variously referred to as the interviewee or narrator--oral history is, at its heart, a dialogue."
Shopes continues to explain the best interview techniques, what to exclude and include. She adds "the best interviews have a measured, thinking out loud quality, as perceptive questions work and rework a particular topic, encouraging the narrator to remember details, seeking to clarify that which is muddled, making connections among seemingly disconnected recollections, challenging contradictions, evoking assessments of what it all meant then and what it means now." She continues by addressing that the interviewers should carefully listen to waht the narrator says and what the narrator is trying to get you to think.
Interviews show shifts in power through marriages, unemployment, employment for women, and a change in the way people raise their children. It "opens up new views of the past." Other interview topics contain events, like cherished memories, a tour to Iraq, a valued job.
The stories I told in class are stories I should add to my Twitterive, i.e. the story of making the wreaths under the house (in the dungeon) seems to be significant behind the story of my home.
The Ending, with "The Gate," I learned the importance of playing around with words which is something I am still working on.
The last video I was going to use "Let it Be" by the Beetles but, I think "The Long and Winding Road" is more appropriate as I will show the new drive down the long, winding road leading to my new home, along with the my dad's family tree hanging on my wall that once hung on the walls of my childhood home. I plan to end with the collage I made of the pieces of my house that is now in my new home. (the symbol that my childhood home will always have a place in my heart and will follow me where I go)
I was thinking about adding a list (to create another genre) but after the presentation, I learned that adding labels to the pieces in the collage is giving the audience too much and taking away something from them. Less is more, here.
One more thing I plan to work with, or at least I will play with the idea, is to use a link to a page of my Dad, since the loss of my Dad is part of the loss of the house. But, this will have to be done carefully since I want to keep the theme of cherishing my childhood home while learning to move on. I don't want to be stuck in the past.
I have a lot to work on but plan to make some really powerful changes.
Wendell Berry:
Wendell Berry, farmer and author of poetry, essays, and novels, addresses the question “what can city people do?” She responds, “Eat responsibility,” but continues with a stronger explanation by educating the people that we buy products through persuasion,
without thought of price, or how fresh , pure, or clean it is, or whether or not it is free from harmful chemicals. Berry continues to explain the problems in the distance food travels, processed and/or precooked food, and it’s true nutritional value. She explains the problems behind the majority of farms, including treatment of animals and experience and education of workers. Food is an abstract idea to consumers as they fail to consider food outside the grocery market. She creates a list in how to eat
responsibly; it includes:
(1)growing a garden, (2) prepare your own food, (3) buy food close to home, (4)
local farmers should take place of the produce section of your supermarket, (5)
know about the industrial food production, (6) know about benefits of farming
and gardening, and (7) learn about the history of life behind the food species.
She concludes by noting pleasure is without ignorance and instead is the
connection with our world.
This explanation is the reason I chose to consider a new lifestlye of eating, one Wendell Berry calls the "responsible" way. Once someone is educated on what really happens to our food, it is through their will whether or not they make a positive change. Ignorance of the topic is understood, however, once exposed to the information, we are apt to become part of the change. At least, I have, and I hope others do as well.
Michael Pollan:
Before any education on America’s food industry, I ate dinner without any issues. Chicken, steak, ham, you name it, I ate it. After researching about America’s
industrialized farms and slaughter houses, and seeing what is actually being
done to our animals, it is no wonder Pollan’s question, “What should we have for
dinner?” is one I have great difficulty answering. Now, there is confusion and
anxiety in the choices of dinner for many people.
Pollan takes initiative to visit an Iowa farm to learn more about how the corn plant is prevalent in the American diet. He explains the negativity behind how farmers now rely on science to keep food lasting longer. He argues how we should support localized
agriculture to reduce health and environmental issues. Pollan takes it a step
farther by visiting a steer in a feedlot before it goes to the slaughterhouse.
He notes that the unnatural corn-based diet creates poor nutrition of the meat
we will eat as consumers. Also, mad-cow disease is caused by the largely
overused antibiotics given to the cows that create drug- resistant microbes.
This would not happen if cows lived the normal, natural life. Pollan continues by educating readers on organic farming and by taking them on a tour of Joel Salatin’s farm to show the benefits of highly qualified products.
Finally, Pollan prepares an appropriate meal for dinner while considering the
whether or not it is right to eat meat.
______________________________Food for Thought______________________________
1. Change is good! Revision is good! Don't become discouraged when revisions are to be made; Take the time as opportunity to create a masterpiece!
2. Show the scene, don't tell!
3. Keep a tone throughout-- if sarcasm and humor is a significant part of your piece, be consistent with it.
4. Consistency is great.
5. Loved the idea a video prologue.
6. Arrangement is crucial.
1.) Are the three generations clear in this video?
2.) Should I add descriptons, outlining the story, on my Twitterive page, or just keep it a powerful video?
3.) Is the connection made that this house not only built me, but built my family as well?
4.) Should I add a 2 minute video, explaining where I am today-including a ride down the long and winding road to my new home, filming the pictures and my family in my new home and ending with the picture on the wall in the backroom, where the pieces of my house are put together in a shadow box. This is the symbol that my childhood home is always with me.
5.) Is there anything unclear? What is your favorite and least favorite parts?
I enjoyed giving feedback to my classmates about their Twitterive project. We had a nice session where everyone took each other's criticism to better their piece. Unfortunately, no one gave me the criticsm because mine is practically out together. I assume this is a good and bad thing. Good thing is that my project is well organized and though out. Bad news is I may be missing valuable critique. I was the last to go for the critigue so that may have affected feedback as well. Maybe with more time, more could be said.
I did figure out what program to use to put my piece together, which helped me so much!
Key Elements:
1.) There isn't a main charater in my story as there is a connection between my childhood home, family, and myself.
2) My story is how one homecan have such meaning. From generation to generation to generation, my home has been a place of love, togetherness, and family. I will show this through a video that will incorporate the original house blueprint, my personal journal entries and drawing from my early elementary school, pictures of the different generations leading to my very own generation, and an overal comparison between time and what the home has met for all of us.
3) My story takes place in the past, present, and future. It is a story about looking back and moving forward.
4) My place is in Mantua, New Jersey.
5) There is a connection to this place because it encompassed my entire life thus far.
6) Through the multi-genre pieces, the audience will make the connection to the lyrics of the song and video.
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