Food Inc Essay Example for Free

Food Inc Essay The movie makes some really good points. The best point is that subsidized corn artificially lowers the cost of animal feed and high-fructose corn syrup. This creates a tax-subsidized economic incentive for people to choose fast food over nutritious options. Scrapping farm subsidies including corn would be a great idea (that the movie doesnt propose). It has a good segment about how Monsanto is using intellectual property law to unfairly create a US soybean monopoly, suing farmers who never bought Monsanto seed and forcing them to capitulate because of the sheer weight of legal bills. But the movie descends into sensationalism. For example, it takes a sad case of a kid named Kevin who died of E Coli poisoning after eating a hamburger. It traces the industrys response which is to use ammonia to make sure that almost no E Coli survives and criticizes its solution while playing ominous music in the background along with unanswered cries of anguish from Kevins mother. It fails to mention that (1) all E Coli dies when meat is cooked properly (2) using ammonia to kill E Coli is an ingenious idea thats very effective (3) the food with the greatest risk of E Coli poisoning is organic spinach. It doesnt mention how the fast food industry eliminated the use of hydrogenated vegetable oil, almost completely eliminating trans fat from fast food. It has a scene comparing the resources used by a free range cow farmer who has about 20 cows versus an industrial slaughterhouse that processes thousands failing to mention that if the free range farmer produced cows on the same scale he would use 4x to 10x the resources for the same output. The movie takes an ill-advised stance against genetically modified food (google Norman Borlaugh). It makes several self-defeating arguments (like arguing that our industrially-produced food is infected and resource-intensive and that we should pay more to eat organic which is actually much more resource intensive and more likely to be contaminated by bacteria because of the use of poop as fertilizer instead of nitrates). The movie makes some interesting points. But the whole big business bad thing is a completely useless attitude that is a constant source of irritation to me personally. People and businesses have, do, will, and should act in their own best interests. The question is which policies should be created to incentivize wise outcomes? Regarding Monsanto, the problem isnt evil big business, its that the US should reform its legal system to act like the UKs where if you sue someone and lose then you have to pay their legal fees. That would prevent Monsantos abuses of IP law (and would accomplish tort reform in medical malpractice).

Kathe Kollwitz Mothers :: Essays Papers

Kathe Kollwitz Mothers In 1914 a war was going on in Germany. At the same time, Kathe Kollwitz was capturing images of poverty, unemployment, homelessness and things that ailed Germany. Following WW1 Kollwitz’ son, Peter Kollwitz, joined the German army to later be killed in battle. This inspired Kollwitz to begin a series of works illustrating the effects that war had on women, one of which is â€Å"The Mothers†. In this work, and many, Kollwitz uses lithography to produce very dark yet sharp images. The use of color itself gives the audience a doleful view of her works. When first looking at this work, a deep sadness and sorrow is perceived. The expressions on the mothers’ faces give it away almost immediately. Viewing this piece from left to right, the first mother seems as if she has lost a loved one or is reminded of one. The way that she hides her face in her hands not wanting anyone to see her pain, shows the audience how devastating it is to lose a loved one. The other two mothers seem more collect about their thoughts but at the same time thankful. They seem thankful by clutching tightly to their young, firmly holding their infants and keeping the children close by their side as if the kids are the only loved ones that the mothers’ have left. When glanced at, this work attracts the eye because of its photographic characteristics. Dark black lines are used to outline each figure with its own characteristics. Dark colors are abundantly used in this work to represent a gloomy image of sorrow, although in this work, they are used to show the feelings and thoughts of the suffering mothers to be unfortunate. I’m sure that the mothers’ in this piece were not alone and Kollwitz realized this.

English Literature: Frankenstein Essay Essay

Frankenstein was written by Mary Shelley when she was only eighteen years old after a nightmare she had. It was first published on 1st January 1818 and was an instant success. Using the style of the ‘Gothic Novel’, Frankenstein was the first science-fiction book ever written. Almost two centuries later it has become not only a widely read classic, but also one of the most influential novels ever written. Frankenstein is a moral tale that deals with issues and ethics of medical and scientific advancement and how far humans should go in tampering with nature. The story raises questions as to who should have final power over life and human nature, God or humans. Shelley calls her book a ‘Modern Prometheus’, because there are many similarities in the plots. The Greek God, Prometheus, gave the human race fire, out of pity so they could eat, but also brought them danger, and was punished for it by Zeus. Prometheus was a hero to humans, but Dr. Victor Frankenstein is a villain because he did nothing to contribute to the world; he did everything for himself rather than using his knowledge for the good of others. Shelley does not express her views, but simply tells a story. The story explores the dire consequences of meddling in such serious matters. In a dramatic and shocking way she is more persuasive and challenging to people than if she had directly preached her views. Without directly telling people what they ought to think, she is powerfully able to make people question the morality of their actions in a day of rapid scientific advances. The ‘Gothic Novel’ was a very popular style of writing in the late eighteenth to mid-nineteenth century. Shelley used this style because she knew it would appeal to the masses. Its use of horror, violence and the supernatural was exciting, intriguing and macabre. Although at one level it was frightening, it was also intriguing and compelling. Although on the surface it repelled, at a deeper level a reader was drawn to the horror, just as the curious are drawn to view victims of an accident. Her clever use of horror disguises her Puritanical views by letting the dire outcome of an obsessed doctor who creates a monster speak for itself. Victor Frankenstein Dr. Victor Frankenstein is the main protagonist of the novel and is a complex character. The bulk of the story is told from his point of view, revealing his struggle to deal with the responsibility for the tragic consequences of his ‘playing God’ by creating a monster from dead bodies he stole from graves. Frankenstein is a very egotistical and conceited man. He believes totally in his own ability and power. He is self-centred, but at the same time lacks self-awareness. ‘†¦ I doubted not that I should ultimately succeed. ‘ p. 42 Frankenstein’s ego is so immense that he comes to see himself as God-like. His dream to create a physically superior race that will worship him as its God is the dream of a megalomaniac. He has delusions of grandeur almost to the point of considering himself as the Saviour of the world. Although Dr. Frankenstein admits that he was at first unsure about whether he should perform the act of human creation this hesitancy is quickly taken over by his arrogance and desire to succeed. He thinks he can do no wrong. ‘I doubted at first†¦ but my imagination was too much exalted†¦ to permit me to doubt of my ability†¦ ‘ p. 42 Frankenstein in one sense is an idealist in that he wanted to create a perfect race, a better race than current, imperfect humanity. He has a vision of an army of physically superior humans with high intelligence. However the reality of his method is to combine a collection of different body parts from different human beings, with different proportions, from graves and vaults. His ideal is very different to reality, showing how out of touch with reality he really is. It also shows his immorality, for he disregards authority and has a lack of respect for the dead. Frankenstein’s readiness to mutilate and steal bodies shows that he thinks of the deceased bodies as merely physical carcasses for use at his disposal. He seems to have no morals or ethics at all and doesn’t even think about the consequences if he was caught. ‘I collected bones from charnel-houses; and disturbed, with profane fingers, the tremendous secrets of the human frame. ‘ p. 43 Frankenstein’s obsession with creation drives him to break down the boundaries of life and death. He is oblivious to the outside world and nothing else matters to him. ‘†¦ Still urged on by an eagerness which perpetually increased, I brought my work near to a conclusion. ‘ p. 43 But once creating his being, when the Monster awakes, Frankenstein is terrified by it, and runs away. His ideal of a perfect, flawless being is crushed at the sight of his hideous creation. Frankenstein instantly rejects the Monster, fleeing from its outstretched arms. He is judgemental and shallow, judging his creation on looks, not personality. However, scientists are supposed to be objective instead of subjective. ‘†¦ Now I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished’ P.

The Religious Convictions Of The Puritans - 1170 Words

The Puritans were a group of people from England who settled the New World (1) called America after the year of 1630. They went to America to be free to practice their religion without being persecuted because their beliefs were opposing the catholic’ one. The difference was that the Puritans tried harder to enforce the Ten Commandments but Americans were influenced by the moral, ethical, and religious convictions of the Puritans. The Puritans’ life was very hard in England so that they focused the most on the religion which helped them to have much their self-discipline. When someone committed a sin, the church was rather harsh and severe in its punishment and the community treated sinners badly. The church did not tolerate profanation on†¦show more content†¦This animosity made the colonization of America by the Puritans a welcome idea for everybody involved. Winthrop thus joined the Massachusetts Bay Colony as its leader, or governor, and agreed to settle in the Massachusetts Bay area. Eventually, twenty thousand settlers came to the colony in the 1630s, where Winthrop spent the rest of his life. During his time in Massachusetts, he was an extremely well-respected religious leader and sermon writer. Political issue through the religion Puritan political influence had largely disappeared in Massachusetts by the end of the 17th century, but attitudes associated with it still remained. The Puritans, succeed to the Calvinist tradition, had emphasized that suffering was necessary to redeem oneself from original sin and that hard work not only produces wealth, but strong moral character. Those who did not devote themselves to hard work were in mortal danger of falling into evil ways. The debates about religion and politics are often more divisive than illuminating. While Secularists point to a wall of separation between church and state, many conservatives act as though, and the Founding Fathers were apostles in knee britches. At the heart of the American experiment lies the God of what Benjamin Franklin called â€Å"public religion,† (2). God who invests all human beings with inalienable rights while protecting private religion from government interference. It is a great Ameri can balancing act, andShow MoreRelatedJohn Winthrop And Roger Williams889 Words   |  4 Pagessettlers of the American colonies were seeking to escape religious persecution, as well as to find a place to freely develop and expand their religious convictions. Despite sharing common English heritage as well as branching from the Anglican and Catholic church, religious views on liturgy and deontological ethics differed greatly amongst the settlers. This can be seen in the works of John Winthrop and Roger Williams. While both men’s religious beliefs stemmed from the same roots, each held differentRead MoreReligion Shaping America Essay895 Words   |  4 Pagesmovements reflecting the christian ideals of truth, life without sin, and altruism, or good works. Lastly, religious liberty is a major campaign so trite that one will find religious tolerance laws in every state as well as various religious tolerance groups with ease. Patently, the rudiments of religion are responsible f or shaping the world we live and enjoy today. The absence of religious tolerance that pushed colonists from Europe to the newly founded England colonies sprang from the belief,Read MoreMary Rowlandsons Captivity Narrative Essay1154 Words   |  5 PagesThe Puritans played a large role in early American history and society. Most Puritans escaped the tyrannical rule in England to gain religious freedom in America, which helped create an early American society. Not only did the Puritans help form the early American society and religion, they also contributed to the earliest stories and narratives to help create a rich literary history for America. Puritan literature has helped many scholars and readers learn about early American history. One ofRead MoreNathaniel Hawthorne s The Scarlet Letter977 Words   |  4 PagesNathaniel Hawthorne’s disdain towards his own ancestry’s history. The highly Puritan thinking of the time led to many persecutions, particularly of women who behaved differently from what was expect ed of them by the patriarchal society. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s ancestors led such persecutions. William Hathorne, who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630, was a magistrate who persecuted Quakers, while John Hathorne was a Puritan judge who tried and condemned many Salem witches in the 1690s. Nathaniel HawthorneRead MoreCarol Karlsen s The Devil1692 Words   |  7 Pagesthe â€Å"witch† in colonial New England. During the early colonial period, pilgrims lived in a male-dominated society and the classical witch hunts were conducted in an attempt to maintain this societal structure. Since these hunts were placed under a religious guise, it was simple for these individuals to act as if they were maintaining the safety and justice of society. Karlsen explains that in many instances, women who were labelled as witches were often females that had managed to acquire great economicRead MorePuritans And The Salem Witch Trials978 Words   |  4 PagesIntroduction Puritans had many beliefs that affected the Salem Witch Trials, these were based on how the attendance or lack of attendance of the church, how people should behave, social class, and the way the government should be handled. Puritans were English Protestants that came to America in 1630. They sought to reform the Church of England. When they first came to America they settled at Salem, Massachusetts. The main reason the Puritan’s came to Salem was for freedom of religion which theyRead MoreThe Causes And Results Of Bacon s Rebellion1499 Words   |  6 Pagesforming a theocracy. Furthermore, the theocratic society engendered the Massachusetts Puritans more freedom of worship than in England. John Winthrop, the owner of the Massachusetts Bay Company, dominated the colonial politics without a permission of the English government. The two distinct points of views by England and Massachusetts were supposed to occur because the Puritans were discontented with the religious laws of England at first, and they emigrated from England to the North America. 4. RobertRead MorePuritans, Quakers, And Witchcraft1416 Words   |  6 PagesFaith LePage HIS 201-112 Professor Newsum 10 November 2014 Puritans, Quakers, and Witchcraft Seventeenth and eighteenth century Puritans arrived in the new world; their morality structured the disciplinary actions toward Quakers, those who were considered witches, and Puritans alike throughout the Massachusetts Bay colony. Puritans Structure and new world have three significant events and one leading man. Puritans on the Mayflower traveling to the Massachusetts Bay colony were led by John WinthropRead MoreColonial New England Ideologies And Religious Beliefs1439 Words   |  6 Pageswere strictly religious in their puritan beliefs. Clergymen were highly educated and forced religious practices in the name of being righteous and holy. Conformity to religion was not considered a rational choice to those that were forced unto American soil and forced to live a way of life so different than their own. Enslaved Africans brought with them their own religious, marriage and funeral, and medicinal practices. These practices prompted radical puritans to fear these religious traditions thatRead MoreEssay on The Threat of Anne Hutchinson1318 Words   |  6 Pagesbeen seen as a woman who paved the way for religious freedom. She was a great leader in the cause for religious toleration in America and the advancement of women in society. Anne Hutchinson was a magnetic woman of extraordinary talent and intellect as well as a woman who quickly gained respect among Bostons women as a midwife, healer, and spiritual counselor (AP, p. 92). Although Hutchinson is documented to have been banished as a religious dissenter, the real motive for her persecution