<![CDATA[Grist - Comment Feed for Grist cooks lunch for America’s leading food writer]]> Grist Comment Feed en Comment #1 by LPS http://www.grist.org/article/Eat-food.-With-Michael-Pollan.-Talk-shop/ Mon, 12 Jan 2009 09:23:57 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/Eat-food.-With-Michael-Pollan.-Talk-shop/1 "Salad. It's what food eats"

Saw that on a t-shirt a few years back.

]]> "Salad. It's what food eats"

Saw that on a t-shirt a few years back.

]]> Comment #2 by JMG http://www.grist.org/article/Eat-food.-With-Michael-Pollan.-Talk-shop/ Mon, 12 Jan 2009 11:08:07 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/Eat-food.-With-Michael-Pollan.-Talk-shop/2 Gene-tampered food is more like . . .

. . . giving smallpox-infected blankets to native peoples.

BT maize and other crops tampered to express BT are a direct and conscious effort to create BT resistant pests and, therefore, destroy one of the only agents available to organic farmers.

Every day, Monsanto and a handful of smaller companies work to obtain total control of all food crops and to obliterate farmers who resist gene tampering.  They do this by 'accidentally' losing control of the tampered genes as they spread through pollen dispersion, capturing the USDA and Congress to ensure that only ineffectual regulation is put on the books, if any.

The 5% Project Let's live on the planet as if we intend to stay.

]]> Gene-tampered food is more like . . .

. . . giving smallpox-infected blankets to native peoples.

BT maize and other crops tampered to express BT are a direct and conscious effort to create BT resistant pests and, therefore, destroy one of the only agents available to organic farmers.

Every day, Monsanto and a handful of smaller companies work to obtain total control of all food crops and to obliterate farmers who resist gene tampering.  They do this by 'accidentally' losing control of the tampered genes as they spread through pollen dispersion, capturing the USDA and Congress to ensure that only ineffectual regulation is put on the books, if any.

The 5% Project Let's live on the planet as if we intend to stay.

]]> Comment #3 by Wolverine http://www.grist.org/article/Eat-food.-With-Michael-Pollan.-Talk-shop/ Mon, 12 Jan 2009 16:30:00 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/Eat-food.-With-Michael-Pollan.-Talk-shop/3 The Non-Human Point Of View

Genetic engineering is a HUGE problem, but only one of very many.  While Michael Pollan has it sussed when it comes to food, he has no expertise when it comes to wilderness, wildlife, or non-humans in general, so his perspective when it comes to things like genetic engineering must take that into consideration.  I don't think you'll find any wildlife/wilderness advocate who does not strongly oppose all genetic engineering.

]]> The Non-Human Point Of View

Genetic engineering is a HUGE problem, but only one of very many.  While Michael Pollan has it sussed when it comes to food, he has no expertise when it comes to wilderness, wildlife, or non-humans in general, so his perspective when it comes to things like genetic engineering must take that into consideration.  I don't think you'll find any wildlife/wilderness advocate who does not strongly oppose all genetic engineering.

]]> Comment #4 by Pangolin http://www.grist.org/article/Eat-food.-With-Michael-Pollan.-Talk-shop/ Mon, 12 Jan 2009 18:19:50 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/Eat-food.-With-Michael-Pollan.-Talk-shop/4 Eat weird food

One way to help in diversifying the monocrop nature of our agriculture/food systems is to promote the eating of weird food. That is, foodstuffs that are readily produced but you aren't familiar with.

I regularly send my kids to school with what they report to me is "weird food;" things like fuyu persimmons and dried mango slices, dried figs, sandwiches with identifiable meat in them. It helps me realize that for many, many people normal foods consist of a very short list of products.

Here's what I'm suggesting. Every time you make a major grocery run at the supermarket or farmers market buy one item, a fruit, vegetable or grain that you normally don't eat. Research it, look it up, find out what normal preparations are and try it out. If you don't like it right away, no biggie, you just might find yourself buying it again later and liking it as you brain gets used to the idea.

Now all you foodies; getting something truly new might mean a detour to the local ethnic market. Just speak right up and ask and people are usually glad to explain what's what to somebody truly interested in their food culture.

Weird food; live a little.

Put the Carbon Back

]]> Eat weird food

One way to help in diversifying the monocrop nature of our agriculture/food systems is to promote the eating of weird food. That is, foodstuffs that are readily produced but you aren't familiar with.

I regularly send my kids to school with what they report to me is "weird food;" things like fuyu persimmons and dried mango slices, dried figs, sandwiches with identifiable meat in them. It helps me realize that for many, many people normal foods consist of a very short list of products.

Here's what I'm suggesting. Every time you make a major grocery run at the supermarket or farmers market buy one item, a fruit, vegetable or grain that you normally don't eat. Research it, look it up, find out what normal preparations are and try it out. If you don't like it right away, no biggie, you just might find yourself buying it again later and liking it as you brain gets used to the idea.

Now all you foodies; getting something truly new might mean a detour to the local ethnic market. Just speak right up and ask and people are usually glad to explain what's what to somebody truly interested in their food culture.

Weird food; live a little.

Put the Carbon Back

]]> Comment #5 by mihan http://www.grist.org/article/Eat-food.-With-Michael-Pollan.-Talk-shop/ Tue, 13 Jan 2009 00:10:04 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/Eat-food.-With-Michael-Pollan.-Talk-shop/5 Yikes, indeed...

I'm jealous. But what I really want to know is: What was the menu?

]]> Yikes, indeed...

I'm jealous. But what I really want to know is: What was the menu?

]]> Comment #6 by cheflovesbeer http://www.grist.org/article/Eat-food.-With-Michael-Pollan.-Talk-shop/ Tue, 13 Jan 2009 01:28:13 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/Eat-food.-With-Michael-Pollan.-Talk-shop/6 Eat food

Grow corn.
Just for food,
Not cars.

]]> Eat food

Grow corn.
Just for food,
Not cars.

]]> Comment #7 by Bud Dingler http://www.grist.org/article/Eat-food.-With-Michael-Pollan.-Talk-shop/ Tue, 13 Jan 2009 01:34:02 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/Eat-food.-With-Michael-Pollan.-Talk-shop/7 no proof

the scientific facts concerning GMO's have never dovetailed with the ethical and political concerns of the left wing.

I admire Pollan for not subscribing to this fear based nonsense. most of the so called peer reviewed claims trotted out by the opponents of GMO are typically misstatements from papers that are twisted to fit their own agenda. the latest example is greenpeace and others trying to make hay about GMO corn leading to sterility in mice. that paper was thoroughly debunked by a peer review as being weak on the statistical confidence and needed more work. never no mind that greenpeace has a web site article titled no need for condoms eat GMO's

]]> no proof

the scientific facts concerning GMO's have never dovetailed with the ethical and political concerns of the left wing.

I admire Pollan for not subscribing to this fear based nonsense. most of the so called peer reviewed claims trotted out by the opponents of GMO are typically misstatements from papers that are twisted to fit their own agenda. the latest example is greenpeace and others trying to make hay about GMO corn leading to sterility in mice. that paper was thoroughly debunked by a peer review as being weak on the statistical confidence and needed more work. never no mind that greenpeace has a web site article titled no need for condoms eat GMO's

]]> Comment #8 by VegHead http://www.grist.org/article/Eat-food.-With-Michael-Pollan.-Talk-shop/ Tue, 13 Jan 2009 01:56:42 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/Eat-food.-With-Michael-Pollan.-Talk-shop/8 Clarification needed...............

David, I am wondering if you could just clarify something for me.  In the third point, you wrote.... "And finally, GMOs do offer some intriguing possibilities around ethanol."  Was Michael Pollan making this claim or your opinion on the matter?  A very concerning statement nevertheless.  I appreciate your speedy response

]]> Clarification needed...............

David, I am wondering if you could just clarify something for me.  In the third point, you wrote.... "And finally, GMOs do offer some intriguing possibilities around ethanol."  Was Michael Pollan making this claim or your opinion on the matter?  A very concerning statement nevertheless.  I appreciate your speedy response

]]> Comment #9 by David Roberts http://www.grist.org/article/Eat-food.-With-Michael-Pollan.-Talk-shop/ Tue, 13 Jan 2009 02:44:38 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/Eat-food.-With-Michael-Pollan.-Talk-shop/9 VegHed,

He is intrigued, and so am I, by efforts to increase the efficiency of photoshythesis in plants like mycanthus, either through genetic engineering or breeding, and to create enzymes that can break the plant down and extract energy. He is well aware of the dangers and limitations, but interested in the possibilities. He's also well aware that the subject is anathema to lots of folks on the left.

grist.org

]]> VegHed,

He is intrigued, and so am I, by efforts to increase the efficiency of photoshythesis in plants like mycanthus, either through genetic engineering or breeding, and to create enzymes that can break the plant down and extract energy. He is well aware of the dangers and limitations, but interested in the possibilities. He's also well aware that the subject is anathema to lots of folks on the left.

grist.org

]]> Comment #10 by Holly Richmond http://www.grist.org/article/Eat-food.-With-Michael-Pollan.-Talk-shop/ Tue, 13 Jan 2009 03:55:01 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/Eat-food.-With-Michael-Pollan.-Talk-shop/10 the menu

Mihan -- there was a lot of quinoa!

]]> the menu

Mihan -- there was a lot of quinoa!

]]> Comment #11 by paz http://www.grist.org/article/Eat-food.-With-Michael-Pollan.-Talk-shop/ Tue, 13 Jan 2009 11:06:38 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/Eat-food.-With-Michael-Pollan.-Talk-shop/11 Proof? Proof?

When GMOs can be contained, when they are ingested by people who are informed and agreeable, and when they truly live up to their promise to feed the world rather than simply line Monsanto's pockets, then perhaps I won't demand proof of their benign nature.

Remember children playing behind trucks spraying DDT?  There was no proof of its effects on birds. Oops.

Remember thalidomide prescribed to pregnant women?  There was no proof of its link to birth defects.  Oops.

Allowing these products to enter people's bodies without their knowledge or consent, and permitting them to pollute the environment (and suing neighboring organic farmers as a result?  how weird is that?), is not "free market".  It is not "progress".  It is a DISGRACE.

Label me an extremist.  Once the horse has escaped the barn, there is little sense in shutting the door.  (Of course, I think Monsanto's banking on this.)

]]> Proof? Proof?

When GMOs can be contained, when they are ingested by people who are informed and agreeable, and when they truly live up to their promise to feed the world rather than simply line Monsanto's pockets, then perhaps I won't demand proof of their benign nature.

Remember children playing behind trucks spraying DDT?  There was no proof of its effects on birds. Oops.

Remember thalidomide prescribed to pregnant women?  There was no proof of its link to birth defects.  Oops.

Allowing these products to enter people's bodies without their knowledge or consent, and permitting them to pollute the environment (and suing neighboring organic farmers as a result?  how weird is that?), is not "free market".  It is not "progress".  It is a DISGRACE.

Label me an extremist.  Once the horse has escaped the barn, there is little sense in shutting the door.  (Of course, I think Monsanto's banking on this.)

]]>