Although this past week has gone very well, I am much more concerned about all of the assignments I have due for the week ahead. None the less, I went to Volunteer KSU which proved to be an informative experience. Being so close to Atlanta, there are many non-profits in the area who work with anything from animal cruelty to women’s health. It is refreshing and inspiring to see so many people who are genuinely passionate about what they are doing for the community, and I am looking forward to volunteering for a cause that I care about.
The one word that I heard consistently used every day in at least one of my classes was food. Usually, when people talk about food, I start to get hungry, but this week’s discussion made me lose my appetite. This week’s discussion in KSU 1111 focused on the world’s growing demand for resources and how innovative technology such as genetically modified crops can aid this problem. Currently, farmers and businesses are profiting from their ability to grow crops faster and with better quality. The problem with GM foods lies in the fact that the long term effects on the environment, human health, and business are still unclear. We watched “Food Inc.” in Sociology, which expands on the idea that the long term implications of the things manufacturers are doing now to satisfy demand are costing us our health. Much of what we eat has been so chemically modified that our dinners have become science experiments. For example, chickens that are given hormones that cause rapid gain weight may be what are causing girls to reach puberty increasingly early. The sad part is that many food manufacturers are not using genetically modified crops or hormones to provide the consumer with more nutritious food. Rather, most of this science is being used to get a leg up on the competition. In BUSA 1000, the reading material covered the advantages and disadvantages of different types of businesses and how they compete in the market. In businesses run by the few like sole proprietorships, the people in charge are liable for their gains as well as their losses. Essentially, they can sell whatever they want (within the law) regardless of how healthy or ethical it is because they are the ones who are responsible for their business. But in huge corporations like McDonalds where thousands of stockholders are involved, you would expect a higher standard to be applied. One would assume that with so many people eating their food and investing their money into their business, people would hold them accountable for providing better quality food. It does not seem right that a place that sells such unhealthy food is recognized as being one of the most successful corporations in the world. At the end of the day, fast food sells.
The one word that I heard consistently used every day in at least one of my classes was food. Usually, when people talk about food, I start to get hungry, but this week’s discussion made me lose my appetite. This week’s discussion in KSU 1111 focused on the world’s growing demand for resources and how innovative technology such as genetically modified crops can aid this problem. Currently, farmers and businesses are profiting from their ability to grow crops faster and with better quality. The problem with GM foods lies in the fact that the long term effects on the environment, human health, and business are still unclear. We watched “Food Inc.” in Sociology, which expands on the idea that the long term implications of the things manufacturers are doing now to satisfy demand are costing us our health. Much of what we eat has been so chemically modified that our dinners have become science experiments. For example, chickens that are given hormones that cause rapid gain weight may be what are causing girls to reach puberty increasingly early. The sad part is that many food manufacturers are not using genetically modified crops or hormones to provide the consumer with more nutritious food. Rather, most of this science is being used to get a leg up on the competition. In BUSA 1000, the reading material covered the advantages and disadvantages of different types of businesses and how they compete in the market. In businesses run by the few like sole proprietorships, the people in charge are liable for their gains as well as their losses. Essentially, they can sell whatever they want (within the law) regardless of how healthy or ethical it is because they are the ones who are responsible for their business. But in huge corporations like McDonalds where thousands of stockholders are involved, you would expect a higher standard to be applied. One would assume that with so many people eating their food and investing their money into their business, people would hold them accountable for providing better quality food. It does not seem right that a place that sells such unhealthy food is recognized as being one of the most successful corporations in the world. At the end of the day, fast food sells.
I have enjoyed reading your observations and insights! Very interesting comparisons! I hope we (your PEGS prof's) can make clear connections for you, though some of it won't "fit" perfectly. Bet wishes for another great week!
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