Pollan, Michael. The Omnivore’s Dilemma

    Order Description     Rеsрond to onе of thе topiсs below in an essay of approximately four pages.         1. At the end of his examination of the ubiquitous nature of corn in Part I, Pollan concludes, “Of all the species that have figured out how to thrive in a world dominated by Homo sapiens, surely no other has succeeded more spectacularly – has colonized more acres and bodies – than Zea mays, the grass that domesticated its domesticator” (119). Write an essay that discusses some of the factors (biological, technological, governmental) that have abetted corn’s conquest of America. 2. In the introduction to the book, Pollan explains that his exploration of the sources that supply contemporary eating habits revealed several themes. The theme most relevant to the industrial food chain “is that there exists a fundamental tension between the logic of nature and the logic of human industry” (9). Write an essay that discusses how “our technologies come into conflict with nature’s way of doing things” (9). There should also be some discussion of the consequences of this conflict. 3. Pollan states that the “fairly typical Iowa farm, is so astoundingly productive that [it] is, in effect, feeding some 129 Americans … making American farmers … the most productive humans who have ever lived” (34). However, because of many undesirable consequences, this unprecedented output can be seen as a Faustian bargain with nature. Write an essay that discusses the Faustian nature of the astonishing productivity of American farming. 4. After tracing the origins of a recently-eaten McDonald’s meal back to a cornfield in Iowa, Pollan speculates about the winners and losers of the industrial food chain, the one from which most Americans eat. Write an essay that discusses the groups that benefit and the ones that are most harmed by industrial eating. 5. Write an essay that discusses what Pollan means by “the omnivore’s dilemma.” How has the industrial food chain exacerbated the indecision, and perhaps the anxiety, surrounding the question, “What’s for dinner?” 6. Is there an aspect of book that intrigues you that is not addressed in the topics above? If so, then create your own topic.