Our financial system is crumbling this week.

[Hungary Jack]

Urbanites are getting pretty tuned into the "buy local" trend because it 1) reduces carbon footprint of food consumption

It's not at all clear that this is true. I'd suggest that urbanites like local food, organic, etc. because they feel disconnected from the "authenticity" of nature. And they read too much Michael Pollan.

Whether or not it has anything to do with being organic, I do find that organic food tastes better than what you get in the store much of the time. Bananas and tomatoes in particular.

maybe I can sell some fertilizer to these urban gardeners (my dog's sh*t)

I have enough of that, thank you.

[lukethedrifter]

If one is not arrogant simpleton technogeek one might understand that Michael Pollan in no way promotes feelgood organic purchasing but a comprehensive and intelligent look at our entire food system and how we have [expletive] it up.

If one is an arrogant simpleton technogeek one would likely miss the message and dismiss the messenger as an old fogey tsking at all the marvels of modern science.

[Leroy]

I've never heard of this Pollan fellow, so I'm not sure where that puts me.

[Hungary Jack]

I've never heard of this Pollan fellow, so I'm not sure where that puts me.

You have a choice of:
1) arrogant
2) simpleton
3) technogeek

Choose wisely.

[lukethedrifter]

I've never heard of this Pollan fellow, so I'm not sure where that puts me.

Meh. Same place as before you heard of him.

[Leroy]

I've never heard of this Pollan fellow, so I'm not sure where that puts me.

Meh. Same place as before you heard of him.

Oh, bliss. I like it here.

[Arthur Dent]

Whether or not it has anything to do with being organic, I do find that organic food tastes better than what you get in the store much of the time. Bananas and tomatoes in particular.

In some cases, I think organic food can taste better. Certainly, fresh tomatoes (organic or not) typically taste much better than those that have to be shipped. On the other hand, I've found many organic foods to be quite similar to their "industrial" counterparts (just at higher prices), and others to be substantially worse. While there are many serious problem with modern agriculture, improved technology and techniques have raised human living standards enormously. It's not just a scheme to poison people with "unnatural" foods.

While Pollan does present plenty of useful information about about the very real problems with food production, it is wrapped up in a romantic narrative that assumes that our problems are fundamentally due to an alienation from Nature. Hence the focus on eliminating terrible things like synthetic fertilizer or "non-foods". The passion around this topic goes beyond concerns about sustainability or health (which should not be dismissed) to this spiritual issue. That is why there are such violent reactions to the questioning of the idea that the higher food culture is really about doing the world a big favor.

[lukethedrifter]

That is why there are such violent reactions to the questioning of the idea that the higher food culture is really about doing the world a big favor.

Okay, Mr Swarty Pants, just what does that mean? As to the violent reaction part of the comment, if you are referring to me then you should understand that my reaction had less to do with some alleged Higher Food Culture than it did with a smarmy know-it-all who, like most know-it-alls, doesn't.

I would like to point out that Mr Pollan is a well respected science writer who writes about and uses the science involved in our food systems. One who had read his writings might understand that he does believe we have abandoned cultural knowledge in pursuit of The Next Big Thing whether that be a diet fad or greater corporate return on investment.
Sure, he incorporates sentimental pap like his belief that humans are social creatures that do better when eating together. Interestingly, that tends to be rooted in an understanding of humans as animals and in evolution. Oddly, rather science-y points of view.

[TimeForGuinness]

AT&T to slash 12,000 jobs due to economic downturn
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/081204/at_t_jobs.html

DuPont warns of quarterly loss, to cut 2,500 jobs
http://biz.yahoo.com/rb/081204/business_us_dupont.html

Viacom to cut 850 jobs, freeze some raises in 2009
http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/081204/viacom_cuts.html

[Hungary Jack]

Claiming that people eat organic foods because the feel disconnected from the "authenticity of nature" is like BM claiming that Felipe Lopez cares about baseball again, and thus is a better player.