Meatrix Response

This video did a great job of getting a big concept/issue through to the audience in a very short amount of time. These videos basically alerted the audience about the issue of factory farming, and how factory farming leads to even more problems itself. This can definitely be related to the Raleigh area because we live in a city where we don't see farms. All we see is grocery stores and we don't think twice about where the meat comes from. For my next paper, I want to research if there is anywhere in Raleigh to purchase meat from a "family farm" rather than a "factory farm." Because as of right now, I don't know of any.

Biotechnology Response

This article, in my opinion, does a good job of explaining their argument of the need for biotechnology. It starts out by explaining the need for more efficient farming, or more food. This shows the audience that there actually is a problem, because some in the audience might be skeptical and think that everything is fine when it comes to food. Then, it explains all the methods we have been using (such as charity relief programs) and why these will not and do not work in the long term. Then, it introduces the concept of biotechnology. It discusses what it means to genetically alter crops, and explains why it is the best way to find a solution for the problem of world hunger. However, there is not enough money in the economy to finance this, and that is an issue. All in all, I think this article does a good job at profiling this issue and explaining what needs to be done, and how it needs to be done.

Fracking Response

This article discusses fracking, and its environmental consequences. Fracking is a way for companies to get oil out of rocks and it is dangerous to the environment. For example, in 2008 the EPA took water samples from residents’ houses and wells and found hydrocarbons, as well as contaminants in what they thought was clean water. These pollutants were most likely due to fracking. Even after the EPA drilled wells, they realized that the fracking really was causing environmental effects, and negative ones at that.

Personally, I believe that this issue is serious because we do not want our environment to be in bad condition. However, it is already in bad condition and we do not want to make it worse! By fracking, we are definitely taking a step in the wrong direction and I really do wish we would not frack. In the Oakland Press, they suggest that fracking needs in to be highly regulated, or not be an optino at all. They say that fracking can lead to “skin rashes, respiratory infections, and tumors.” Obvious fracking is an extremely serious issue and it is really sad that some people have to deal with these extremely negative consequences directly.