Food for Thought (and Sequence)

[barclay_barrios]

I caught a wonderful little feature on the New York Times last week: Michael Pollan's "Food Rules."  It's an interesting collection of reader-submitted rules about food and eating with a mix of culture, history, and humor presented in an intriguing design. It got me thinking about the Pollan piece in Emerging and about how I would put together a food sequence for one of my classes. The following is one sequence I might use:

• Michael Pollan, "The Animals: Practicing Complexity": I love this piece and students tend to like it, too.  It's about a highly efficient organic farm that gets its efficiency through an ecological approach to farming, a true understanding of complex systems.  It would be a good starting point to discuss food and it also has elements of education and business, which could be teased out later. I'd use the NYT piece in the paper assignment, asking students to either deduce the food rules of Polyface Farms in Pollan's essay or work more abstractly on function of rules in food ways.
• Julia Alvarez, Selections from Once Upon a Quinceañera: This selection about the Hispanic coming of age ritual, the quince, is one of my current favorites in Emerging because it does so much.  It's not about food at all, but about culture, and it would be interesting to use it in an assignment with Pollan.  I'm particularly interested in the concept of retroculturation in the piece and thinking about how that works with food ways.  I would make an assignment about the role of food in culture or the culture of farming.
• Thomas Friedman, "The Dell Theory of Conflict Prevention": On the surface this essay is about globalization in the flat world, but what I like about Friedman's piece is that it also provides entry for discussions of economic and business systems.  And, like Pollan, it has a lot to do with complex and emergent systems. Bringing Friedman to this sequence foregrounds questions of economics and class that are buried just beneath the surface of Alvarez and Pollan.

One of the things I love about Emerging is that the readings are contemporary, so something's always going on that inspires me or connects the class to the world, even if the connection is as simple as the food we eat.

[#2]

Hi Barclay -- Thanks for pointing me to "Food Rules." We used Pollan's "The Food Movement, Rising" this summer with a group of high school kids. http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2010/jun/10/food-movement-rising (Sorry for the long link, but the site's comment feature otherwise adds an extra slash that messes with URLs). It's a review essay, but less review than essay. More to come. Just discovered your blog and thought I'd comment. Michael

[Auralee87]

**Food for Thought (and Sequence)** explores the interplay between ideas and their logical progression, emphasizing how well-structured thinking can lead to insightful conclusions and innovative solutions. This concept highlights the importance of not only having valuable ideas but also organizing and presenting them in a coherent sequence to maximize their impact.

### Key Aspects

1. **Idea Generation and Reflection**:
- It begins with the generation of ideas—brainstorming, exploring new concepts, and reflecting on different perspectives. This stage involves gathering a diverse range of thoughts that can later be refined and analyzed.

2. **Logical Structuring**:
- Once ideas are generated, organizing them into a logical sequence is crucial. This involves creating an outline or framework that connects the ideas in a meaningful way, allowing for a clear and persuasive argument or narrative.

3. **Sequential Development**:
- Effective communication of ideas depends on how well they are sequenced. Each point should flow naturally into the next, guiding the audience through a structured and comprehensible progression. This sequential development helps in building a strong case or conveying a complex concept more clearly.

4. **Critical Evaluation**:
- Reviewing and critiquing the sequence of ideas ensures that the logic holds up and that each component supports the overall thesis or goal. This stage may involve refining the order of points, adding transitions, or eliminating redundancies.

5. **Application and Impact**:
- The ultimate goal of well-sequenced ideas is to apply them effectively in practice—whether in writing, presentations, or problem-solving. A well-structured sequence enhances the impact and persuasiveness of the message, leading to better understanding and engagement.

### Practical Implications

- **Writing and Communication**: In essays, reports, or speeches, the sequence of ideas helps in creating a compelling narrative or argument. Proper structuring ensures that the audience follows the logic and is persuaded by the conclusions.

- **Problem-Solving and Innovation**: When tackling complex problems or developing new solutions, organizing ideas sequentially helps in breaking down the problem into manageable steps and systematically addressing each aspect.

- **Project Management**: In project planning and execution, sequencing tasks and milestones effectively ensures that the project progresses smoothly and meets its objectives in an organized manner.

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