Food Inc.

           Food Inc. is one of few documentaries that had interest me as an individual on the topic of unsafe foods. After watching this informative film, I have learned the true process of how the meat on my burger came about and why it came this way. From what I can assume before watching this film is that food corporations have corrupted many government officials by the means of bribing or financing their campaign, and due to the wealth of the corporations they create a practical meat monopoly. However, I had no idea that food safety department such as the Food and Drug Association (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are directed by the major leaders of these evil corporations and the fact that these government departments can be led by these people. I feel extremely unprotected in terms of food safety after watching this documentary because what would happen if no one is inspecting the countries food? The fact that the government is not acting logically is absurd. Everyone in the country should be able to feel some sadness or pain hearing about Kevin’s story. Everyone! Individuals who have a family should understand that losing someone important in life is not a joke.

Kevin’s story is an example of the director informing as well as persuading the audience to fight for safer food. Kevin’s story has opened my eyes, I had no idea consumers at food restaurants can possibly receive a deadly illness such as e-coli, a facultative anaerobic, rod-shaped bacterial that is commonly found in the lower intestine of warm-blooded organisms. However, some variations of e-coli can cause serious food poisoning in humans. Barbara Kowalyck introduced her story about 2 year old Kevin to fight for more regulation of food corporations; Kevin was healthy child who died from Hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) caused by E-coli O157: H7 after eating a burger that contained E-coli. Hearing about little Kevin dying after eating a burger has traumatized and angered me for a period of time. I was so upset how things can be so unfair for Kevin and his family.

Kevin’s death is an example of director using pathos in his documentary. In general, I believe this was a great film because it has done its job to inform me of what is inside of my burger and to persuade me to not support these large food corporations by eating from organic companies. One important fact that I have to point out in regard to eating healthier is the fact that healthy foods empty out my wallet. No matter where one may go to purchase a salads, fruits, or organic products, it is always so much more expensive. I hate to say I am practically forced to eat unhealthy corporation meat sometimes. However, whether I can or cannot afford to buy a healthy, organic meal I keep in mind that “A mind is a terrible thing to waste and A waist is a terrible thing to mind!” I believe eating right will give your brain a great boost for thinking correctly and making the right decisions. So eat what you can but try your best to eat something healthy because when you get older, your body and mind will thank you back.

Eric

Cohen

            Comparing and Contrasting is a skill that people of all ages learn. One can compare and contrast everything and anything. For example, a simple item such as a pen to a person’s multiple personalities. This skill is crucial and the upmost importance for everyone. Why? Because knowing the difference between two or more objects are essential to determining the pros and cons of that object. The same thing applies to people’s behavior and personalities. Comparing allows an individual to select multiple things to see which is better in anyway than the other. Contrasting on the other hand is determining the difference between these things.

            In the essay “The Meaning of Life,” Roger Cohen compares two monkeys who undergo the caloric restriction process. Canto, aged 27 was given about 30 percent less calories than his partner Owen, aged 29. I believe Cohen emphasizes more on contrasting rather than on comparing as he announced with an abundance of comments the differences of the monkeys. Cohen claimed “low-calorie Canto looks drawn, weary, ashen and miserable in his thinness, mouth slightly agape, features pinched, and eyes blank. Well-fed Owen on the other hand is a happy camper with a wry smile, every inch the laid-back simian, plump, eyes twinkling, full mouth relaxed, skin glowing, and excluding wisdom.”

            I agree with Cohen that it is necessary to have happiness in life. Regardless of the reason one achieves happiness, whether it be having a delicious meal or achieving a goal that was set; if you’re happy stay happy. I also agree to some extent that eating more will make a living organisms have a longer and happier life. For example, if a person is having high class meals everyday compared to a person eating a slice of pizza every meal. The person eating the high class meals are going to be happier than healthier than individual that is eating pizza. However, if one is eating Mc Donalds compared to the pizza guy. There will be a different opinion because having more Mc Donalds will not make someone liver longer or be happier.

Lies

               In Stephanie Ericsson’s essay “The Ways We Lie,” she classifies lies into ten different categories. For each lie Ericsson separates them into separate paragraphs and briefly gives an explanation and cited a quotation for each individual lie. I believe Ericsson did a good job in being able to classify lies into ten categories. However, I believe there are still a few missing. In my opinion Ericsson wrote this essay to everyone in the world because everyone lies. I would find it very difficult to believe a person over the age of 6 has not lied before. I chose the age of 6 because infants and younger children tend to tell the complete truth more likely than lying. Everyone has dilemmas between telling a lie or truth, and everyone has told different kinds of lies. Therefore, I believe the purpose of this essay is to let readers know that some lies are more hurtful than others. For example, in her paragraph Ignoring the Plain Facts Ericsson choose the quote “Well, you must understand that Father Porter is only human” said a Massachusetts priest to give an idea of what her explanation of ignoring the plain facts. She explains the fact that a priest was molesting children during the 1960's and instead of relieving him of his duties early in his career he was sent to be cured and later returns to be a cured person. However, he continued to molest children and nothing was done because the members of the church ignore the fact that he performs unjust actions.

                Lying is a universal strategy that can persuade others by giving false accusations about anything. My two favorite lies categories that Ericsson describes are white lies, and Stereotypes and Clichés. The reason being is the fact that I always use these two lies; white lies to get myself out of trouble in a conversation; stereotypes and clichés to joke around with my friends. I favorite part of this essay was reading through these two paragraphs. Ericsson can improve her essay by clearly expressing her purpose of writing this essay and by backing her each of different types of lies with better examples to gain the reader’s attention as well as their passion about the lie.

Skunk

            Robert Connors sees a skunk, whose head is stuck in a glass jar. He names his experience “How in the world do you get a skunk out of a bottle?” Why? Who knows? Maybe because that was what first came into his head when he saw a skunk in a jar or maybe the ridiculous and strange question appeals to readers. Honestly, the first question I’d think of is exactly that. The funny thing is, most people will never encounter this situation, where they have the opportunity to pull a skunk out of a bottle. I think I’d be interested in encountering this.

            Why would Connor write a process essay about completing such an unlikely task? Obviously because of how bizarre it is. The fact that it is so bizarre makes this article so enjoyable to read. The article begins with the narrator believing it is just another morning, like any other human being. Right when he encounters a skunk, his thoughts are poured into the article allowing the reader to be in the situation. In the end, it’s almost as if Connor has befriended a skunk, who will return the favor by not spraying him with a strong odor. Amusingly, the narrator actually said, “Next time you see me… don’t spray me”. My question would be, did the skunk acknowledge that? Connor felt happy, maybe feeling as if he made a friend with an animal or knowing he saved a life. But me? I’d feel happy about a skunk not spraying me.

 If the article was just plain out, “I saw a skunk and I pulled it out of a jar”, there would be no amusement. The first person narrative feels like a story a friend is telling. The way Connor tells his experience is almost what you’d hear a friend tell you. Imagine hearing this from a friend, it’d be worth listening to. If I were to encounter such a random and peculiar experience, I would love to share it with the world.