So I've been neglecting this blog a little more than usual (if a little over two months worth of sporadic writing can be considered a standard), but I have good reason. First and foremost, the end of spring quarter is here, and since I actually care about these classes (mostly), I've put much more effort into them then is usual (see: any effort at all). I've also had two presentations for two separate classes, just received a take-home final in Logic (written in a way that, had I been given this at the start of the quarter, I would have sprinted to administration begging to withdraw), and have two other, fun-filled finals to look forward to.
But, more importantly, I have just completed 9 pages of rough draft quality story. That's right, the first run-through has officially begun. And, to my surprise, I don't despise it; quite the contrary, I actually feel like it's a legitimate start to a real book. The only problem is it's only 9 pages so far, and I don't seem to be going at a very steady or swift pace. However, it's 9 pages more then I had, and (dare I say it) the first work I've made that shows I may make it as a writer. Halle-fucking-lujah.
On an unrelated note, in regards to my presentation in Environmental Science, I'd like to take a brief moment to soapbox. Boiled down, it works out like this: The body requires nutrients to survive. Lack of nutrients leads to a deficiency, and the brain will crave the nutrients missing. Cravings lead to overeating, which is a major factor in obesity. With me so far? Now, studies show that food grown today has lost anywhere from 30% to as much as 80% of the nutrients it once held, with declines occurring in as short as twenty years. However, the caloric count remains unchanged.
Now let's put this all together. Lack of nutrients=cravings=overeating=obesity. With the standards we use to grow food, our fruits, vegetables and grains are lacking in nutrients. Therefore, by a logical jump, it's possible that the methods used by corporate farming could be actively harming people. And that leads to the problem: So far as I can tell, I am the only person on the face of the globe working on this right now.
That's right. In the entire world, there is not a single available source detailing this. What's more, the research on the lowered nutritional value of food is hard to come by in its own right. People think genetic tampering, or pesticide use, and they think either horrible diseases or over-hyped rubbish. But, in reality, it's affecting you, me, and everyone, and they don't even have to tell us.
I don't know if that pisses you off, but I sure was, and I still am. What do I plan to do about it? At the moment, I don't know. I have considered digging further, pulling facts, and actually trying to make a case of this, but at the very least, I wanted to put this out there, for anyone and everyone to know: Agribusiness, or corporate farming, or whatever you want to call it, is not working for your best interests, but theirs. Shit, Archer Daniels Midland is has subsidies on its ethanol production; that means you and I pay for their profits with our taxes. And they posted a $500+ million dollar profit last year. And, for every buck they made, we paid $30.
I won't demand you to do anything, especially since I'm lucky enough if you read this far anyways. But I plan to tell everyone I know what I found, and even if you don't want to look into it yourself, let the people around you know what's going on. These companies, ADM in particular, pay tons to lobbyists and politicians to ensure that this information never reaches your ears. Tell a friend, or a family member; hell, tell the person on the bus if you're feeling social. Just spread the word. Maybe someone with a little more knowledge and a lot more credibility than me will hear about this, and start serious work on this. Like I said, there's less than half a dozen solid reports out there, and only a single recent one.
Anyways, I'm done ranting and raving, so until next time, go do something else.
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