Perhaps I am overly critical, but with nearly 7 billion mouths to feed and nearly three decades of living through various 'food scares' I have grown rather distressed over these matters. I actually have much respect for Salatin, and am an organic grower myself, though a notorious cheater, just harvested some last fresh brocolli from my garden even though there's snow on the ground, making a nice soup of it right now in the crockpot. I expect to harvest more from my garden this year, on account of some of those organic methods.
I don't think it's overly critical, but I also find it unlikely that I'd be in this particular conversation with one of the destitute mouths that has trouble feeding itself. This is more about debating the input at the time, knowing potential dangers and deciding what to avoid (or not) if one has the means, not banning things from those who need the savings. Healthy food is something I choose to purchase, even though that means my meal budget is major compared to where it once was.
As with all these things, the simple answer is a diversified diet, not eating too much of one thing, not spending twice as much for a product which may even be inferior to standard agriculture. Not under producing from land that could be feeding more mouths because it appeals to people to buy food they think is somehow safer or superior when the facts simply do not support their claims.
I agree, but you're adding meaning to the article. It says only that several experts have opinions on several practices/products. As I said, I can admit bias, but then I am also biased against Lowe's Garden Centers because I know that typically their product does not equal that at my Garden Center. It doesn't mean they cannot shop there, but we have to remember that bias isn't always a white lie, nor an ultimatum.
For all the ranting people engage in about our government, the FDA and USDA do a very good job protecting us from harmful products, and I think we should give them a bit of trust. In the name of glorious organic farming, I have heard people say the Haber-Bosch process itself produces fertilizer that is dangerous because it is made from ammonia, and has nitrates in it, and I have little tolerance for those who spread or even fail to confront such nonsense. And, having noted your comment about having an AG degree, I remind you that it is our job as scientists to confront such things, with zero tolerance for any exageration of the facts.
I can't have zero tolerance, because someone else is always going to have different "facts" from what I know. I respect the purely scientific viewpoint, but it isn't completely appropriate for everyday discourse. I agree that hyperbole isn't appropriate either, but we cannot be unyielding in this discussion. I actually would want/expect to see something like these replies occurring after a post like mine, so I'm glad they did. Discussing different viewpoints is how we learn.
Edit: Happy Birthday, by the way
Thank you.
/food: The 7 foods experts won't eat
10/12/2009 01:04:04 AM
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Our potatoes have been sprouting since, well... ever. And I don't think we buy them organic. *NM*
10/12/2009 01:11:45 AM
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Our eyes grow and green up a little, but that's minor compared to when you buy organic.
10/12/2009 02:06:37 AM
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I really have to challenge many of these
10/12/2009 03:36:05 AM
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And that is fine. Read the opening paragraph. It's not a scientific study.
10/12/2009 02:29:53 PM
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Nevertheless...
10/12/2009 03:14:19 PM
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Omg, you are such a party-pooper!
10/12/2009 05:26:18 PM
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LOL, I actually am not the bane of all new ideas
10/12/2009 06:19:06 PM
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but ag degrees and education make us biased, didn't you know that?
10/12/2009 06:28:44 PM
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Re: but ag degrees and education make us biased, didn't you know that?
10/12/2009 07:01:14 PM
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Pft, so you say.
10/12/2009 08:19:00 PM
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omigod cheese didn't you read that bit about ARTIFICIAL HORMONES?!?!?!
10/12/2009 06:22:11 PM
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You wouldn't believe the dangers involved in cheese
10/12/2009 07:08:48 PM
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I'm pretty sure I just took a pill with about 500 million bacteria in it. Is that bad for me too?
10/12/2009 07:18:29 PM
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dihydrogen monoxide should not be ignored!!
10/12/2009 07:20:59 PM
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T'is my civic duty
10/12/2009 07:30:42 PM
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Health aside, farmed Salmon just tastes a bit horrible.
10/12/2009 11:57:34 AM
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I'm always a bit dubious on food health scare stories
10/12/2009 12:34:29 PM
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Hm. I actually refuse to eat non-farmed marine fish of any kind.
10/12/2009 01:24:26 PM
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Rod caught tuna
10/12/2009 05:37:42 PM
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There aren't enough tuna left.
10/12/2009 06:25:19 PM
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If you catch them with rods, I suspect it is sustainable.
10/12/2009 08:17:49 PM
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who the hell wants to fish in the middle of the ocean??
10/12/2009 08:29:43 PM
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