HW 10- Food Inc. Response

Precis: The present day United States is ruled by the food overlords known as industrial corporations. Thanks to the government and subsidies, the food industry has become convoluted almost to a point where we can no longer turn back its negative effects on us, the economy and the environment. So why exactly do these few continue to dominate the food playing field even when we know its numerous horrific aspects? It's because as bad as our imagination can visualize the industrial food chain, we can never actually make first hand observations, and nobody knows better than the producers that people would cease to buy into their business if they saw the truth. In the end, the two things that can possibly create the most change is making the effort to eat healthier, and to change the government's agenda on food.

Because the book can only leave the reader with his imagination, the movie does a much better job at giving actual visual representation, providing the closest thing to first-hand observation we can get. And because one of the film's biggest agendas is to make it clear that if we were able to look into the slaughterhouses we would never support industry again, the use of hidden employee cameras is instrumental in getting that point across. In addition, the movie allows us to hear the tone of voice each author uses, making the connection between viewer and author a more intimate relationship than a book can offer. However, the book can fit a lot more content in 400 pages than a movie can in an hour and a half. This requires the filmmaker to select what in his opinion are the most important pieces of information, which is sort of like a precis.

One negative feeling that lingers in my mind after watching this movie is that I can't help but question the practicality of the suggestions that the movie gives immediately before the credits. Sure, those of us who care enough will make an individual effort to pursue these life changes, but I think most people will choose not to because they come to the conclusion that just one person or a small group cannot overthrow the empire that has been created by the government. I think what WOULD inspire people would be to make it clear that by following these suggestions, they would actually be joining a large group of people, even if they are not in their immediate proximity. So many of us are stubborn in that we like the way we have been living and don't want to give up things such as meat or McDonalds because they would be "missing out" on all of the comforts and convenience that come with industrial food while their friends and family continue to eat the way they do.