Sustainable Food Lab - the Vanilla Crisis

The Sustainable Food Lab is "a global network of organizations facilitating market-based change for a sustainable food system." They do not discriminate against beliefs or methods, and say that their agnosticism helps in their success by being able to draw from many different sources.  One project they are handling in particular is on vanilla, called the Sustainable Vanilla Initiative (SVI).  This project aims at addressing the issues with rising prices and falling quality worldwide and to ensure the security of vanilla farmers and the environment at the same time. While reading about the project, I was struck by how very complex the issue really is.  It has so much more going into it than just sustainable farming and making sure the farmers make a fair profit. There are local and global manufacturers, farmers, sellers, etc. all over the world.  The industries that vanilla affects and is affected by is also quite diverse, encompassing food, fragrance, flavor, and others. Particularly affected by what happens to vanilla is Madagascar, the state that produces 80% of the world's vanilla. 
In reading this article, I learned that we are apparently in the middle of a vanilla crisis in which vanilla bean prices are high but quality is very low. There are a number of other issues that are involved in this crisis such as the issue of child labor.  As I kept reading, thoughts about where we are at as humanity in general in terms of food production and how we are cultivating/manipulating the land kept entering my mind.  I couldn't help but think that this is another example of people meddling with the environment and only making matters worse as we try to fix them.  What was once simply a gift from the ground for us to enjoy is now a whole market and business involving millions of people around the world and its own set of problems.  My next though was even scarier; this isn't even the full extent of it!  The vanilla crisis has been other plants throughout history and many more to come or occurring now. There are probably an insane amount of problems with the sustainability of most of our food that we are completely unaware of.  I am glad to have come across the Sustainable Food Lab because it's nice to know that there are people dedicated to the various issues facing sustainable food development. Though it feels like it might not directly affect you, the sustainability of food is a moral and human rights issue that I am now realizing more and more should be a concern for all of us. 

Shocker: VB Native Writes About Surfing

Independent Topic (1)

Our discussion at Rick & Libby’s about surfing versus mountain climbing made me reflect on the Christian notion of grace. Grace is defined as: “the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings.” If we have a relationship with God we may experience the regeneration process of sanctification. God knows we will fail so He gives us grace as a cushion for those mistakes as we recover and learn from our past sin. I was born and raised in Virginia Beach so I know a lot about surfing and water sports since that is how I spent most of my childhood free time. As I said in class, I have learned more about grace and recovery from my aquatic failures than in any other activity. Whether is it falling face first of a surfboard or being thrown overboard while the boat is in a sharp turn, I am very acquainted with mistakes on the water. If any of those falls had been on solid ground at the same speed, I may not be able to walk let alone be alive. Thankfully when I messed up, there was something there to catch me, the water. Water is only safe to fall into up to around 150 feet. If you hit the water the right way you can survive a major fall. Buoyancy pushes you back up for air after you have been submerged in the way God lifts us up after we get bogged down by our sins. I like to think that water wants to help us survive those falls and that it is a physical example of the grace God grants us.

Bread Made Us Leave Eden

Assigned Readings (4)

The Ecology of Eden

Our human desire to control the physical world is part of THE FALL. The author believes that wheat, a side effect of our independence, is intricately tied to humans exiting Eden. Humans began to change their surroundings in a drastic way by farming. We used fire and alliance with grasses to subdue our environment. Women began this as the gatherers, also known as, the first farmers. Eve tasted fruit then handed it to Adam. When translating the Hebrew word for “fruit,” it can mean any kind of produce, including grains. Snakes were used to protect granaries from rodents, hence the serpent is now part of the story. Farming meant food for more offspring and children meant more farming to feed those mouths. Adam and Eve’s punishments fed into each other, producing a never-ending cycle of supply and demand. Even today, we work to eat then eat for energy to work again. These small-scale farming communities turn into towns which produce armies, slaves, and rulers thus establishing a need for organized governments. We turned from God’s natural world and made our own. I will admit, a wheat-based metaphor of civilization turning away from creation makes more sense than people eating fruit in one specific garden.

Snoop Dog’s shocking mock assignation video

Snoop Dog’s shocking mock assignation video

Snoop Dog decided to take a political position, but was very violent in his follow through. Snoop Dog’s video portrays everyone as a clown, wearing a mask and being very unhappy. It shows a man who is under the influence while driving. He gets pulled over by the police, while a black man records the whole thing. Later in the video, it shows Snoop Dog with a gun up to President Trump’s head. I think it is necessary to have a view on politics. It is important to formulate opinions on politics because it directly influences our everyday lives. Also, it is important to go about sharing our views in a proper manner. What should our response be to someone who disagrees with politics, but displays their view in a corrupt way?  We are in a society where many people disagree on political views, but I do not think this is a new thing. I think that a threat or promotion to kill the President of the United States should ever be legal. Here, we see a difference between freedom of speech and a threat. An action should take place in response to Snoop Dog.

Light v. dark metaphors Ivie 1987 “Metaphor and the Rhetorical Invention of Cold War “Idealists”

Light v. dark metaphors Ivie 1987 “Metaphor and the Rhetorical Invention of Cold War “Idealists”

An example of a good metaphor is the light versus dark metaphor. This is a good metaphor because it allows one to distinguish between opposing sides. It gives the audience no choice. All good metaphors do not give the audience a choice. Metaphors are very useful, but can be over used. When they are overused, they are rendered useless. Metaphors allow the author to convey meaning in a limited, yet powerful way. It simplifies arguments. When an argument is simplified is allows the audience to relate and choose what the meaning means for themselves. Metaphors, in the way I have described them above, dialogue. Dialogue is real communication. It is when the walls come down and vulnerability occurs. Metaphors foster a vulnerable environment. Dialogue is the goal of conversations. When dialogue is achieved, it is considered a success. 

Goffman 1972 Framing

Outside Reading Goffman 1972 Framing

Over the years, Communication scholars have contributed to the framing theory. Erving Goffman was one of the first to originate and propose this theory. First, he participated and studied within the field of Sociology. His research in Sociology led him to research that involved studying social interactions between individuals. In Frame Analysis, Goffman (1972) claims:

            

"Each primary framework allows its user to locate, perceive, identify, and label a seemingly infinite number of concrete occurrences defined in its terms. He is likely to be unaware of such organized features as the framework has and unable to describe the framework with any completeness if asked, but these handicaps are no bar to his easily and fully applying it. (p. 21)

The point Goffman is making is that framing is happening all around, but sometimes it is difficult to identify where or when it is occurring. Messages are being sent to us through media outlets every day. This can be seen through social media news, television news and radio news. This is influencing our views subconsciously. Sometimes, we do not even realize it is happening. We must be aware of this in our everyday lives.