Fast Food Nation- Eric Schlosser
Schlosser wrote this piece mainly on “fast food, the values it embodies, and the world it has made”(3). The fast food restaurant that that Schlosser focuses on is the McDonalds. Basically, I could sum up the article by saying that fast food pretty much dominates our world. He shows us various statistics of how fast food has rapidly increased over the past several years. One line in particular that stuck out to me was. “Americans now spend more money on higher education, personal computers, computer software, or new cars”(2). Fast food restaurants have become the place where customers spend most their money and employees get very low wages. Also, much of the fast food has been completely reformulated in order to taste good. Overall, this article talks about the negatives of eating fast food and allowed people to be more aware of what they are eating. From this article I was able to develop a completely different meaning for McDonalds as well as understanding the dangers that come with the risk of eating the food. At the end of the article, the author states, “You are what you eat” (8), which means that the majority of America would be either a Hamburger or Friend fry.
Good, Clean, Fair: The Rhetoric of the Slow Food Movement
Schneider mainly focused on Carlo Petrini, who was one of the founders of the Slow Foods (their mission is to create a lasting change in the food system). In the article, it was obvious to see that Peterini and his co-founders appreciated their country’s regional cooking. Petrini founded this international movement in the Langhe region of Italy. In previous decades, the movement’s main concern was the enjoyment of “good, clean, and fair” foods and local quality wines. However, years later they have switched to a broader matter of food education, which is the protection of traditional local foods. This article also discusses how Slow Food attempts to redefine food and fight the possible harmful effects of globalization. Petrini tries to reconstruct the food of Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin. He argues, “Food is far more than a simple product to be consumed: it is happiness, identity, culture, pleasure, conviviality, nutrition, local economy, survival” (388). Petrini and Schneiders goal is to educate the society about where their food is coming from and to make sure everyone is aware of what they are eating. I believe that more individuals today are following the Slow Food Movement.
Primary research question- Are growth hormones in foods linked to the rapid maturation of today’s children?
Possible secondary questions or interview questions: What is the most common food that contains growth hormones?
1. Are growth hormones in foods linked to cancer?
2. What type of food products contains hormones in it?
3. What foods contain what kind of hormones?
4. What effect does human growth hormones (HGH) have on the body?
5. For what reason could a person be prescribed HGH?
6. What are the possible side effects of growth hormones?
7. Does human growth hormones slow down aging?
8. Can beef cattle be raised without the use of hormonal growth promoters?
Potential participants in the interview:
· Nurse
· Doctor
· Pharmacist
· Dietitian
· Breast doctor
* The reason why we are choosing to interview these type of individuals is because we feel that they can provide their professional opinion
on the subject as well as having the most knowledge about hormones in foods and how it affects adolescence.
The Pleasures of Eating-Wendell Berry
Berry is a farmer and an author of fifty books, poetry, essays and novels. He has lived and farmed for over forty years in Kentucky. In his essay, “The Pleasures of Eating” Berry makes the reader more aware of food in general ways. Berry believes that food is connected with politics, which, in any type of politics involves our freedom. He states, “We have neglected to understand that we cannot be free if our food and its sources are controlled by someone else.” Berry thinks that we are not free unless we are able to eat responsibly.
Another point made in this essay is about how understanding of the food contributes to the pleasure of eating. Being involved in the production and preparation of our own food is one way to be more cautious of various foods. Berry recognizes that little of us have the time and resources for a maintenance kind of lifestyle. However, Berry stresses to the readers about how our local produce markets in our communities provide a pathway to a healthier life.
The increasing price of foods has not only added to obesity in America, but it also has made it nearly impossible for individuals with a lower income to purchase healthy foods. Due to this problem, this has caused a major transformation in most of the world’s diet. Only those who are privileged have the benefits of healthy foods. These individuals are only partially aware of our own losses.
Turns of thought- Donna Qualley
The turns of thought is an intriguing article about individuals gaining reflexive skills that could improve their independent thought process as well as improving the way they interact with others. This article makes the readers aware of how important it is to personally reflect on reading and writing. Qualley refers to different examples, such as the one with her grandmother, to offer a deeper understanding of the nature of critical thinking. She also discusses how she teaches in an “essayistic stance.” The meaning of this term is “A way of thinking about ideas that is dialogic and reflexive” (3). What makes a piece of writing “essayistic” is the approach the writer/reader adopts towards the text. Putting yourself in others peoples perspective is a large component of reflexive inquiry.
Throughout the article, Qualley constantly reflects her own ways of thinking through her students work. Anyone who had a passion for writing will be interested on why and how students (and other individuals) develop a complex and intellectual perception that can be done through collaborative inquiry.
10 Research Questions from the movie Food Inc.
1. Why is it that the food industry makes millions of dollars while the farmers who are producing the foods make hardly anything?
2. How many different cheeseburger laws have been passed?
3. Due to unhealthy food choices, children are developing type II diabetes. Do they have a higher chance of getting rid of it than adults?
4. Is it against the law to not provide labels on foods?
5. Do you believe that individuals have the right to know what is in their food? Many people are not aware of what they are eating.
6. How come restaurants are not putting the calorie intake of their meals on the menus?
7. What type of dangerous pesticides could be in our food?
8. If farmers are what our food industries rely on, why do they have no say financially?
9.Why is certain milks produced with artificial growth hormones?
10. How do we expect people to choose organic foods when there are many who are unable to afford it?
Conducting the Interview
Chapter three of the article “Like It was” talks about potential topics that could be used for oral history. This article gave me a better understanding of the type of people I could consider interviewing. I found it very interesting that the article states, “you don’t need to admire your subject, but it helps to have some kind of strong feeling” (32). When I think about doing an interview such as this, it never occurred to me that we could choose a topic that we are against. As long as we feel strongly connection with the subject, it does not have to be something that we necessarily agree with. After reading this section, it sparked an idea in my mind about doing something in which I feel strongly about and interviewing the narrator who has a completely different view from myself. I think this type of interview could be very engaging for both the interviewer and narrator. By interviewing someone with a different belief, it will allow me to think of more productive questions to ask the person.
Finding the appropriate questions to ask the narrator could be challenging. It is important to get underneath the surface of the questions so the narrator will be able to give a clear, detailed answer. Before thinking of in-depth questions, the article says that it is important to write down reasons why we chose the particular person to interview. This statement made a lot of sense to me. Why would we just randomly pick a person to interview without asking ourselves “why did I chose this person?” The interviewer has to strike an interest with the narrator or they will only be able to touch the surface of the oral history interview.
This article provided me with a great amount of insight regarding the meaning of oral history and how it can be accomplished through questionnaires. I never really considered the involvement that was put into the findings of history. For instance, the article uses Abraham Lincoln as an example. His secretary and law partner gathered remembrances of Lincoln through various interviews he had in the past. During oral history interviews, it allows the interviewer to listen to the narrators “particular frame of reference.” It also lets the narrator discuss what they feel is an important when answering a question. Everyone has their own interpretations of events; oral history is a way of allowing the narrator to explain their particular view on the topic. Now I understand that with our advanced technology and innovations, oral history interviews is much more efficient and reliable while conducting interviews. From this article, I know realize that the most effective interviews are the “thinking-out-loud-quality” where the interviewer encourages the narrator to remember explicit details from their past.
Situating Narrative Inquiry
This article had a great amount of complex terms and phrases. As a result, I found myself rereading the four narrative turns a second time to grasp the general concept of the article.
As soon as I started reading, I noticed the words “epistemological” and “ontological.” I was actually excited when I saw these concepts because I knew what they meant. Currently, I am taking a communication theory course where the professor has touched based on those concepts presented in the article. After reading those words, I automatically made a connection from what I have recently learned about epistemology and ontology in my communication course. From reading those words in the first paragraph, I immediately knew that this article was going to be about human interactions and communications.
The four turns were the primary focus of this article, which from my interpretation served as an introduction to the concept of narrative inquiry. In the beginning of the reading, the author stated, “Narrative inquiry begins in experience as expressed in lived and told stories” (5). By researchers working with participates, It is a way for them to live out the stories as well as retelling stories. I liked how the author worded this particular sentence. It was a sentence that immediately stuck out to me.
The first narrative turn called “Relationship of Researcher and Researched” discussed the importance of relationships that are formed during the process. This section made me realize how vital it is for the researcher to be engaged during the research process. The article explains that by using narratives as a collection of data, “Researchers became interested in what their subjects were saying. Relationships developed”(13). To be able to relive or retell a story, I believe that it is highly essential for the researchers to be interested in what they are studying and conducting.
Data collection seemed to be one of the major components of this article since the author touched upon throughout the entire reading. Specifically, in narrative turn two, it discusses the transferring of numbers to words as data. “The turn from numbers to words as data is not a general rejection of numbers but a recognition that in translating experience researchers lose the nuances of experience”(15). I agree with the author, the whole point of this type of qualitative research is providing narratives. I always have a hard time translating numerical data, I would much rather read a narrative then try to interpret various numbers. I also believe that having numbers instead of words for this type of research deficits the purpose of a narrative inquiry.
What Do Narrative Inquirers Do?
This article was much easier for me to understand than the other narrative reading. From this article, I was able to develop a deeper meaning of creating my own narrative inquiry by working within a three-dimensional space. The article states, “As narrative inquirers we work within the space not only with our participants but also with ourselves” (61). By working in the space, it makes us aware of our own lived and told stories. It also makes me realize how my own experiences and memories can all of a sudden occur to me by listening to other people’s stories.
I had a strong connection with the example of a three-dimensional space that Karen Whelan told that involved her colleague Jean. “Jean was, at first, a listener but Karen’s story evoked a memory for her” (59). The way Jean thought back to her own memories by listening to Karen’s story is really interesting. I can remember when my friends would tell me stories and I would think back to a memory that was similar to my friend’s story that they were telling me. This example provided me with a better understanding of how narrative inquirers work within their three-dimensional spaces, and how the space enfolds with the individuals that the researcher works with. As the researchers reflected on their studies, they stated, “What became clear to us was that as inquirers we meet ourselves in the past, the present, and the future” (61). I thought this line was very intriguing. By remembering current and past stories, these stories offer various plotlines for the future.
1. How has technology impacted your writing/composing?
- The use of technology has impacted my writing greatly. The Internet not only helps me get creative ideas when writing, but it also makes things I have to look up much more convenient. For example, if I was not sure how to write a paper in APA style, all I have to do is type “APA” in the search box on Google. Also, if I need a question answered and I do not have access to my computer, I have the internet directly on my phone. Technology has been such a gift to society. It has expanded my abilities as a writer and gave me ideas about various genres.
2.How has technology connected or made you more mindful of your writing and place?
- Technology has made me more aware of both my writing and place. I noticed that my writing changes through technology depending on what social network I am on and who I am speaking to, whether it is through a text, e-mail, or tweet. Technology has connected me more to my place. For instance, when I am sitting in my room, at my desk with my computer, it is the place where I can be alone and get the most work done for school.
My room is a place that allows me to think critically with no interruptions.
3.How has technology impacted your identity construction?
-Technology significantly impacts my identity construction. I noticed when I am in class and paying attention, I do not talk as much. Its not that I am shy or afraid to speak up, but it usually means that I am paying attention to the professor or whomever may be speaking at the moment. I enjoy hearing various opinions from my fellow students, but I have noticed that when I am in front of a technology, I react differently. For instance, when I work on my weebly website or tweet, I say whatever comes to mind (as long as it’s appropriate and does not go too much in-depth with my personal life). In my opinion, working with a technology is much more laid back. It is a way to express my thoughts and feelings on certain topics without trying to act professionally. With technology, I am able to take my time and really concentrate on what I am writing or reading. I never realized how much technology makes a difference in my personality. I realized that constantly updating my tweets is a way to express myself in a way that I wouldn’t usually do in a physical setting. I think I am an outgoing person and always act like myself (depending on situations), but I have to admit that my identity changes dramatically when technology. Whether it is a computer or simply a phone, I believe I am more relaxed.