Comments on: 10 Ways to Learn More than Food Inc. Tells You

By: Rachel Laudan

Rachel Laudan — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 13:38:32 +0000

Hi Mark, thanks for reading my piece. Have you gone without? I am not poking fun at those who are hungry and I agree that a hamburger is more filling than a pear. But both, in world terms, are luxury foods. Tortillas and beans are the stomach fillers.

And now that I am briefly in the States and have access to the movie (which I did not in Mexico) I will see it. Perhaps I will be surprised. But my comments are directed at the assumptions that the advance publicity was taking for granted and as such they stand.

By: Mark Atkin

Mark Atkin — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 02:50:44 +0000

Whereas I agree with some of your points, point 9 perspective please you’ve obviously never gone without. A hamburger will fill my belly and stave off hunger pangs for quite sometime a pear will not.
And sorry Rachel, I have to agree with Brian you need to see the movie

By: Rachel Laudan

Rachel Laudan — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 00:26:59 +0000

Thanks for the suggestion Brian. But I very carefully chose my comments to suggest context for Food Inc., not to address the content of the documentary directly. Thus I remain unconvinced that I needed to see it before making the comments I made. If I were to talk about the content of the documentary, then clearly I would need to see it.

By: Brian Wagner

Brian Wagner — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 00:12:51 +0000

You need to see the documentary before making anymore comments!

By: Liz

Liz — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 06:37:58 +0000

Well written blog. Stumbled upon it. But, you should really watch the movie before coming up with such a strong opinion. It actually touches upon some of the same areas as you.

By: Organic food

Organic food — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 13:51:44 +0000

Enjoyed this blog thanks – good work!

By: Rachel Laudan

Rachel Laudan — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 01:01:03 +0000

Thanks for commenting, Paula. I really like your web site and enjoyed reading the comments there on your post on the movie. I agree that if the movie generates debate about food it will have accomplished quite a bit. I still worry about the message. Let’s keep in touch about the reaction.

By: Paula

Paula — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:18:07 +0000

Rachel,

I agree that it’s good to have some perspective when going in to watch this type of movie. And I like to listen/read from both sides. However, after watching the movie, I didn’t feel it painted conventional farmers as callous, unreflective villains as you state. If anything, the companies’ practices are the ones that are more heavily criticized. Though the movie does suggest that we should seek out local farmers, buy organic, etc. I agree that it’s not always easy, practical or cost-effective. However, I didn’t come away from the movie thinking we have to eliminate businesses or corporations. I think it’s more about improving the practices. If the movie will generate some debate about food, I think it has accomplished soemthing.

By: Rachel Laudan

Rachel Laudan — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:55:09 +0000

Thanks Diana. Yes, the drive for simple causes is a powerful one. What seems to me sad is that in this case so many farmers who have dedicated their lives to what they thought was good work are being painted as callous, unreflective villains. Of course, the farm lobby has had a lot of power but even so. . .

By: dianabuja

dianabuja — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 11:39:14 +0000

Oops, I mean that your list helps to clarify – not (necessarily) to simplify… Better stop while I may be ahead!! :(