This Film fed directly into what is wrong with the mass producing agricultural economy that our nation runs on. Throughout the documentary I realized that the theme they were trying to get across was that in reality, we have no idea the magnitude of certain aspects in which the U.S. carries its economy on. The agricultural economy within the U.S. is a massive, overproducing industry that prides itself "how much" rather than pure quality. It was, at the least, eye opening in what mass producing industries within agribusiness will do to turn a faster profit. Hormones and and pesticides are riddled throughput our poultry, beef, pork, and plant life, resulting in harmful consequences for us, the consumers. There needs to be a different approach to how we go about producing our products, even if it means having to create more labor intensive, and extensive work periods.
The only way to apply the recommended ideas would be to actually perform. By growing your own vegetables, and possibly raising an animal or two, people can receive the highest quality product available. If not, there is always the chance that you are consuming something that is not only harmful to the animals, but yourself as well.
The essay by Wendell Berry, and this documentary go hand in hand in some aspects. Though, the most profound one I noticed was there decisive feelings toward how an economy should run. They both recommend that by relying more on a local economy, rather than a global one, production quality, and profit are raised significantly. By having a local economy, importing and exporting are limited to a minimum, resulting in a less wasteful environment. Also, these local economies would be more self sufficient, cutting spending by a significant amount. By taking little steps to better not only the environment around us, but the economy as well, we realize the possibility of exponential efficiency.
I agree that by having a more local economy we would be less wasteful and more productive. I believe if we all try to make these little steps we could actually get somewhere and make a change.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on how if you focus on the local economy it would make the community more productive. I think when you size down to a local economy and focus on the local and not the global a community becomes more tight knit and gains respect for one another. It reminds me of the Short North because they are so local, and yes prices can be high, the quality of products and food is amazing and it helps the community.
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