The Omnivore's Dilemma

Livestock today are raised on huge farms. Michael Pollen compares going to one of these farms to going from the country to the city. He discusses how livestock is fed with corn, which is the cheapest form of calories out there. He also brings up the fact that corn is not the most healthy thing to feed these animals. We (humans) experience health effects such as heart disease. Cows that are fed with grass do not show the same results, but because corn is cheaper than grass and because there is a surplus of corn it is the food of choice for these animals. Corn not only has the potential to cause health effects for humans, but also the cows themselves. Cows are not built to only eat starch. Acidosis, diarrhea, ulcers, bloat, rumenitis, and liver disease are all possible health risks that the cows take. Antibiotics are given to the cows to prevent most of these sicknesses. This passage was very interesting and was definitely eye opening. The phrase "you are what you eat" now has a whole new meaning.

Everday Writer

In chapter 7 a working thesis is discussed. The word working is important because the thesis may change as you write. In other words, your final thesis may be different from your initial thesis. By establishing a tentative thesis early on you are able to write your paper, but that also doesn't mean their isn't room for improvement on your first thesis. In my paper I am going to go back and revise my thesis at the end to make sure that it is strong and tells my reader what to expect.