Elevator

Driving across the prairie to Grandma's house, there is not much to look at out the car window to keep us entertained. So when we pass an elevator on a farm, everyone gets excited and looks in awe at the giant cylinder towering over the fields; Mom points out how small the farmer's truck is in comparison. The Kansas prairie is a part of my life and the farmers are a part of my family.

While reading Michael Pollan's book, I found myself wanting to defend the farmers when he told of the wasted corn falling to the ground as the truck is loaded and commences on its travels. How could he proclaim that the farmers are not bothered by corn that did not stay in the bed of the truck? Of all people, I believe farmers are some of the people who take things granted the least; they have been through hard seasons and work from sun up to sun down.

Yet, I think, of course it must be true. Americans are pressured to complete tasks efficiently and quickly. So while we sit there angrily reading about farmers wasting corn, we should all feel guilty, as we all are constantly wasting and taking things for granted. That is why Pollan's book is understandable to the general public. We can all understand what is going on in these scenes, but many will deny the fact that they take part in wasteful actions as well.