(I watched the pro-vegetarian / animal cruelty awareness video)
I am an omnivore. I've thought of becoming a vegetarian, and I could do it, but I feel that a healthy diet includes a wide variety of foods and that a reasonable amount of good meat along with enough vegetables and other things can be healthy. However, this video makes it clear that the animals that Americans eat are raised under such gross conditions that beyond making their lives completely terrible and unhealthy, it makes our consumption unhealthy.
Anything that common morality has to say about the American food industry will tell you how wrong it is. If the treatment that these Animals receive was done in front of the people who are eating them, I would bet that many less people would actually want to do it. However, most Americans simply are not aware. They go on living their lives while the meat isle in the local supermarket is the closest they get to industrial farming.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Collapse Assignment 1
I thought it was interesting how the inhabitants of Easter Island seemed to be obsessed with being the best. They were very patriotic. From what I understand, the famous statues were created as a display of power of their tribe. I also believe that they were made in order to impress Gods of sorts, which in turn would protect them.
The strangest thing about Easter Island is the apparent quick end that its inhabitants came to. But, it can be connected to the quick and depletion and use of precious resources on the island. It was once a rich and plentiful spot of land, but the islanders were quick to burn through it by means of apparent large numbers and also - the statues that were build required much work and use of resources. Apparently, the trunks of trees were used to roll the enormous rocks of dozens of tons to the desired locations.
The fast burning of limited resources can easily be related to that of the current day use of oil. Oil, has been the sole source of energy for the fast expansion of industrial civilization. It can be inferred that current day civilization will run out of resources and in part, die out. This happened to the Eastern Island inhabitants, and will happen to us soon. Our economy runs on oil - hell, our supply of basic necessities runs on oil these days, and it is simply running out. Eastern Island's trees were wiped out, along with most of their sources of food. Much of the food they ate, was fish, fished out of the ocean. With no more trees, the canoes they would use could no longer be made.
The strangest thing about Easter Island is the apparent quick end that its inhabitants came to. But, it can be connected to the quick and depletion and use of precious resources on the island. It was once a rich and plentiful spot of land, but the islanders were quick to burn through it by means of apparent large numbers and also - the statues that were build required much work and use of resources. Apparently, the trunks of trees were used to roll the enormous rocks of dozens of tons to the desired locations.
The fast burning of limited resources can easily be related to that of the current day use of oil. Oil, has been the sole source of energy for the fast expansion of industrial civilization. It can be inferred that current day civilization will run out of resources and in part, die out. This happened to the Eastern Island inhabitants, and will happen to us soon. Our economy runs on oil - hell, our supply of basic necessities runs on oil these days, and it is simply running out. Eastern Island's trees were wiped out, along with most of their sources of food. Much of the food they ate, was fish, fished out of the ocean. With no more trees, the canoes they would use could no longer be made.
Final Food Assignment
I listened the Dana White song, and due to a lack of time as you suggested, none of the others. I had a laugh : ) - I got several clear messages from this video. At the start of the video, Dana describes the way that domesticated cows are raised to get fat, and get fat to be killed and eaten. This has widely been the case in agricultural farming for a long time, but it has been taken to a new level with industrial farming. Basically, it's done on a much larger scale.
Also, the funny parts of the video - the cow guru, the cows with guns, their rebellion, I think in turn send a message that says explicitly that those things can't and won't happen. Cows have no way of taking a stand and neither do any other farm animals. Chickens in choppers make an appearance to make it clear that a good number of industrial farm animals experience the same fate. These things go without saying, but this video catches attention to hopefully make a statement.
In my opinion, for the health of animals, humans themselves and our coexistence in general, humans should stray from the current tactics of industrial farming.
Also, the funny parts of the video - the cow guru, the cows with guns, their rebellion, I think in turn send a message that says explicitly that those things can't and won't happen. Cows have no way of taking a stand and neither do any other farm animals. Chickens in choppers make an appearance to make it clear that a good number of industrial farm animals experience the same fate. These things go without saying, but this video catches attention to hopefully make a statement.
In my opinion, for the health of animals, humans themselves and our coexistence in general, humans should stray from the current tactics of industrial farming.
Collapse Assignment 2
In a society run on copious amounts of oil, one has to wonder what will happen when the oil is no longer plentiful enough. Will the society completely cave in? Probably not - but some people will probably die. I've said before, that reaching peak oil could mean that the massive and continuous technological development humanity has seen in recent years will soon come to an end. Our advancements have on top of giving us countless digital toys made food production easier, allowing for a great increase in population. With the unpredicted growth of population came the need to sustain that population. More and more food needed to be produced. For a while this was fine and good - oil allowed more incredible quantities of low quality food to be produced and distributed, however that source will soon be diminished and a hungry population will suffer.
One would think that this extremely time prevalent and time-sensitive oncoming problem would be the hot topic of the century. But Matthew David Savinar discusses some reasons why the media won't publicly discuss this on his personal website.
Three reasons he posts are:
a) Most journalist's are simply unaware.
"Wall Street and the financial media are made up of human beings that are just no more interested in the Peak Oil issue than most people that you know."
b) Journalists who are aware couldn't go public without causing panic and/or getting fired from their job.
"As soon as it is recognized that for all practical purposes the situation is upon us, then a vicious "resource grab" will be initiated."
c) Major industries that have largely founded our country such as the automotive and aviation industries would be severely damaged by widespread knowledge of this.
"With automotive giants GM and Ford already on the ropes, any aggressive program of conservation would likely so blunt the demand for new cars that the two automotive giants spiraling into bankruptcy."
Basically, if word won't get out about this, and if the masses of people are not aware of this drastic oncoming change - panic will erupt. Life will get hard, people will die all the while lashing out at each other. I do not believe that the governments will any longer be able to contain much of their populous'. I think that smaller reformed societies will form and hopefully work together for a possibly better future.
It can be said that humans haven't learned from their mistakes before - but a collapse of society of this magnitude has happened ever before in recorded history.
I for one, am very curious how events will unfold.
One would think that this extremely time prevalent and time-sensitive oncoming problem would be the hot topic of the century. But Matthew David Savinar discusses some reasons why the media won't publicly discuss this on his personal website.
Three reasons he posts are:
a) Most journalist's are simply unaware.
"Wall Street and the financial media are made up of human beings that are just no more interested in the Peak Oil issue than most people that you know."
b) Journalists who are aware couldn't go public without causing panic and/or getting fired from their job.
"As soon as it is recognized that for all practical purposes the situation is upon us, then a vicious "resource grab" will be initiated."
c) Major industries that have largely founded our country such as the automotive and aviation industries would be severely damaged by widespread knowledge of this.
"With automotive giants GM and Ford already on the ropes, any aggressive program of conservation would likely so blunt the demand for new cars that the two automotive giants spiraling into bankruptcy."
Basically, if word won't get out about this, and if the masses of people are not aware of this drastic oncoming change - panic will erupt. Life will get hard, people will die all the while lashing out at each other. I do not believe that the governments will any longer be able to contain much of their populous'. I think that smaller reformed societies will form and hopefully work together for a possibly better future.
It can be said that humans haven't learned from their mistakes before - but a collapse of society of this magnitude has happened ever before in recorded history.
I for one, am very curious how events will unfold.
Collapse Assignment 2 draft
In a society run on copious amounts of oil, one has to wonder what will happen when the oil is no longer plentiful enough. Will the society completely cave in? Probably not - but some people will probably die. I've said before, that reaching peak oil could mean that the massive and continuous technological development humanity has seen in recent years will soon come to an end. Our advancements have on top of giving us countless digital toys made food production easier, allowing for a great increase in population. With the unpredicted growth of population came the need to sustain that population. More and more food needed to be produced. For a while this was fine and good - oil allowed more incredible quantities of low quality food to be produced and distributed, however that source will soon be diminished and a hungry population will suffer.
One would think that this extremely time prevalent and time-sensitive oncoming problem would be the hot topic of the century. But Matthew David Savinar discusses some reasons why the media won't publicly discuss this on his personal website.
Three reasons he posts are:
a) Most journalist's are simply unaware.
"Wall Street and the financial media are made up of human beings that are just no more interested in the Peak Oil issue than most people that you know."
b) Journalists who are aware couldn't go public without causing panic and/or getting fired from their job.
"As soon as it is recognized that for all practical purposes the situation is upon us, then a vicious "resource grab" will be initiated."
c) Major industries that have largely founded our country such as the automotive and aviation industries would be severely damaged by widespread knowledge of this.
"With automotive giants GM and Ford already on the ropes, any aggressive program of conservation would likely so blunt the demand for new cars that the two automotive giants spiraling into bankruptcy."
One would think that this extremely time prevalent and time-sensitive oncoming problem would be the hot topic of the century. But Matthew David Savinar discusses some reasons why the media won't publicly discuss this on his personal website.
Three reasons he posts are:
a) Most journalist's are simply unaware.
"Wall Street and the financial media are made up of human beings that are just no more interested in the Peak Oil issue than most people that you know."
b) Journalists who are aware couldn't go public without causing panic and/or getting fired from their job.
"As soon as it is recognized that for all practical purposes the situation is upon us, then a vicious "resource grab" will be initiated."
c) Major industries that have largely founded our country such as the automotive and aviation industries would be severely damaged by widespread knowledge of this.
"With automotive giants GM and Ford already on the ropes, any aggressive program of conservation would likely so blunt the demand for new cars that the two automotive giants spiraling into bankruptcy."
Collapse Assignment 2 draft
In a society run on copious amounts of oil, one has to wonder what will happen when the oil is no longer plentiful enough. Will the society completely cave in? Probably not - but some people will probably die. I've said before, that reaching peak oil could mean that the massive and continuous technological development humanity has seen in recent years will soon come to an end. Our advancements have on top of giving us countless digital toys made food production easier, allowing for a great increase in population. With the unpredicted growth of population came the need to sustain that population. More and more food needed to be produced. For a while this was fine and good - oil allowed more incredible quantities of low quality food to be produced and distributed, however that source will soon be diminished and a hungry population will suffer.
Comments on other final papers
~~~~~Mara R's Paper~~~~~
You say that no one will ever know the true meaning of life. I agree. I don't think that anyone has any better clue than the next person as to why the universe came to be, what was before it etc. The potential, origin etc. of us humans either. I think the common question "why are we here?" is an odd one. It assumes some sort of divine purpose which for some reason I think is silly.
On the other hand, I think that when a person creates their own definition of what life's meaning is it is legitimate enough for the individual. It's hard to imagine a "true" meaning of life.
Your last paragraph was very interesting. I believe it suggests that Americans don't really have a culture and because of this don't really know how to appreciate food - or else have a different understanding than that of cultured people. Well, any society has a culture, but I agree than the American one is pretty trashy when it comes to appreciating things like food. Of course, the American population is made up of people with all sorts of cultural backgrounds but children whom are born here, if they aren't lucky enough to have enough outer culture around them will only know what is fed to them by those who wish to make money. The food industry has cut every possible corner at this point.
I imagine it's wonderful to grow your own vegetables :] your garden sounds nice. The people in Italy giving homegrown vegetables to others that you described reminded me of things that I saw while I was in a small town in France. Nearly every day there was an area along a few streets that were lined with people selling and trading vegetables of their own - all home grown. It was most of the townspeople - not like, the few garden nuts, you know? I remember thinking how differently we seem to think of our food in the US.
~~~~~Kyle C's Paper~~~~~
I found your thoughts on knowledge being "poisonous" very interesting. You make a good point. I think that our desire as a species to answer all the questions may eventually be the end of us. And even on a smaller scale, most people do seem to have a relatively great deal of shit flying at them and it becomes difficult to separate important things from insignificant and material things that will die out.
Becoming Amish won't happen but if it could, you're right - in this day and age simplicity unfortunately won't cut it.
I agree that science is now the unspoken religion of choice for many people. In science we trust as it gives us explanations for once mysterious aspects of the universe.
You say that we've become too aware, and I have a similar opinion. I just also think that a certain level of awareness above what primates evidently have could help make for a better and more meaningful life. I wonder how aware we should be.
You say that no one will ever know the true meaning of life. I agree. I don't think that anyone has any better clue than the next person as to why the universe came to be, what was before it etc. The potential, origin etc. of us humans either. I think the common question "why are we here?" is an odd one. It assumes some sort of divine purpose which for some reason I think is silly.
On the other hand, I think that when a person creates their own definition of what life's meaning is it is legitimate enough for the individual. It's hard to imagine a "true" meaning of life.
Your last paragraph was very interesting. I believe it suggests that Americans don't really have a culture and because of this don't really know how to appreciate food - or else have a different understanding than that of cultured people. Well, any society has a culture, but I agree than the American one is pretty trashy when it comes to appreciating things like food. Of course, the American population is made up of people with all sorts of cultural backgrounds but children whom are born here, if they aren't lucky enough to have enough outer culture around them will only know what is fed to them by those who wish to make money. The food industry has cut every possible corner at this point.
I imagine it's wonderful to grow your own vegetables :] your garden sounds nice. The people in Italy giving homegrown vegetables to others that you described reminded me of things that I saw while I was in a small town in France. Nearly every day there was an area along a few streets that were lined with people selling and trading vegetables of their own - all home grown. It was most of the townspeople - not like, the few garden nuts, you know? I remember thinking how differently we seem to think of our food in the US.
~~~~~Kyle C's Paper~~~~~
I found your thoughts on knowledge being "poisonous" very interesting. You make a good point. I think that our desire as a species to answer all the questions may eventually be the end of us. And even on a smaller scale, most people do seem to have a relatively great deal of shit flying at them and it becomes difficult to separate important things from insignificant and material things that will die out.
Becoming Amish won't happen but if it could, you're right - in this day and age simplicity unfortunately won't cut it.
I agree that science is now the unspoken religion of choice for many people. In science we trust as it gives us explanations for once mysterious aspects of the universe.
You say that we've become too aware, and I have a similar opinion. I just also think that a certain level of awareness above what primates evidently have could help make for a better and more meaningful life. I wonder how aware we should be.
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