Serendip is an independent site partnering with faculty at multiple colleges and universities around the world. Happy exploring!

Reply to comment

Calála's picture

Trust and vegetarianism

For the most part as I have been reading Pollan's book I have found myself trusting his argument. But that does not mean that I necessarily agree with all of it. While reading the chapter about vegetarians, the part of Pollan's argument that sturck me the most was that being a vegetarian "alienates [him] from other people and, odd as this might sound, from a whole dimension of human experience" (314). As a a vegetarian I will admit that there have been more than a few times when I have wished that I ate mean for the sake of it being convenient. This occurs most often when I am traveling and I am eating according to another culture's dietary norms. However, despite the fact that once in a while it would be easier if I could just eat some chicken or steak, I do not agree with Pollan that bein a vegetarian forces isolation from cultural traditions. Over the years my sister and I have both become vegetarian (she was vegan for a few years as well). These dietary choices have allowed my family to create our own traditions. I have never felt like I missed out on Thanksgiving because I wasn't eating Turkey or that skipping the fish at Passover seder meant I was skipping out on the entire holiday. Just because I trust that Pollan's arguments are well-supported and carefully researched, does not mean that I am entirely convinced that his views are right.

Reply

To prevent automated spam submissions leave this field empty.
12 + 1 =
Solve this simple math problem and enter the result. E.g. for 1+3, enter 4.