I have done quite a bit of research concerning my topic since i chose it. I have looked in to the kind of people that work on factory farms, the nature of the work, the safety and health hazards, the wages, and steps that can be taken to improve the lives of factory farm workers. While doing my research i found countless articles concerning my topic. I gained a lot of knowledge about factory farm workers through my research and i managed to find answers for the questions i had when i picked my topic. I was dumbfounded about the circumstances factory farm workers have to face and found a lot of similarities in how they are exploited like fast food workers. Below are the links i will be using to support my claim.
http://www.foodispower.org/factory-farm-workers/
http://www.sustainabletable.org/273/workers
http://www.jhsph.edu/news/news-releases/2013/heaney-mrsa-farms.html
http://www.dollarsandsense.org/archives/2004/0904arrieta.html
http://vegnews.com/articles/page.do?pageId=5732&catId=1
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Monday, October 28, 2013
Blog Entry 9
For my research paper i will be writing about factory farm workers. Without factory farm workers we wouldn't be able to have majority of the food we eat. I will write about the job and a desrciption of the tasks they have to perform on factory farms. I will talk about how factory farm workers are taken advantage of, the working conditions, and what can be done to make sure these workers have the same rights and working conditions like all other employees in the workforce.
Monday, October 21, 2013
Blog Entry 7: The Meatrix Issues
Industrial farming has overtaken sustainable farming over the past 50 years. It is the most popular way of farming today in America. Theses farms produce dairy eggs and meat. It is widely believed that industrial farming is more efficient and less expensive than sustainable farming but recent studies have proved otherwise. The companies that control these farms have a lot of power. They are the same companies that grow, process, and produce food. This has given them a lot of power to the point were they cab be classified as monopolies. They are able to control the prices and influence the regulations and rules. Industrial farming has detrimental effects such as air quality problems, contamination of rivers, streams, and coastal waters with animal waste. There are certain steps that can be taken to increase sustainable farming. One way is by purchasing sustainably farmed products in supermarkets. Another way is to buy products directly from farmers' markets or stands.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Blog Entry8: Mid-Term Essay
Fast foods have had a dictator like approach towards the idea of their workers forming Unions. This has lead to many disadvantages for the workers and has hand-cuffed them in a way. For decades workers at giant fast food companies have had to put up with mistreatment and poor wages. There hasn't been any changes because the companies have done everything in their power to make sure the workers don't form Unions. The fast food industry must grant the workers the right to form Unions, a right that all employees should have.
It should be constitutional for every employee in the United States to be allowed to form or be a part of a Union. Fast food workers have been at the mercy of their employers for a long time. The fast food giants have made it clear to their employees that any attempt to form Unions will directly lead to them losing their jobs. The fear that has been instilled in them has held them back from creating unions, and most workers can't afford to take the risk because it's their only source of income. Fast food workers should be allowed to form Unions because it will be a way for them to protest their grievances.Unions will give them the opportunity to speak out on the issues they face at their jobs. Just like everyone else that's employed fast food workers also deserve the chance to protest for better conditions, better pay, better treatment, etc. The government should step in and help fast food workers have the opportunity to have Unions.
I find it ridiculous that in twenty-first century America the bottom part of the workforce is still uncared for and taken advantage of. It's mandatory that fast food workers be given the right to form Unions by their narcissistic employers. The workers are the ones who get all the dirty work done, whilst the bosses sit back and spend the profits unconsciously. Yet they are still mistreated, vastly underpaid, and manipulated. The workers should be allowed to form their Unions. If the employers can decide in which fashion the workers will do things and the tasks they'll perform, fast food workers should be allowed to voice their discomfort on the things stopping them from working efficiently. This will only make things fair. Once the fast food giants allow the workers to have Unions, it will be a win-win situation for everybody. Workers will be more enthusiastic to work at their particular fast food restaurant knowing they have the right all other employees do.
If given the right to form Unions, the effects will be nothing but positive. I have a hard time understanding why the fast food industry will not allow their workers to form Unions. Only positive results will come out of the decision to let the workers have Unions. It will benefit the restaurants because their workers will have a more enthusiastic approach to their job and this will lead to a huge improvement in customer service. Which also leads to an increase in consumers thus giving the fast food giants better profits. Their workers will benefit just as much. The workers will finally feel free knowing full and well that their employers listen to them. They will be able to ask for better wages, conditions, and treatment. With a new-found approach towards their job, the workers will be able to enjoy what they do daily, rather than it been a routine thing they have to do because they are left with no other choice. Allowing fast food workers to form their unions will be beneficial for both parties concerned.
Unfortunately there still is some for of slavery in twenty first century America. The treatment fast food workers get from their employers is the modern day version of slavery. Fast food giants have taken drastic measures to make sure workers are not given the right to form Unions. They have instilled fear and used their power to make sure workers don't have a voice on issues pertaining to wages, working conditions, conduct, etc. This has caused the workers to have a negative attitude towards their job. It should be constitutional for fast food workers to have the right form Unions like all other employees. This will lead to positive changes for the employers and workers. It's mind boggling to think a huge part of the American workforce isn't allowed to have a right all other workers do.
It should be constitutional for every employee in the United States to be allowed to form or be a part of a Union. Fast food workers have been at the mercy of their employers for a long time. The fast food giants have made it clear to their employees that any attempt to form Unions will directly lead to them losing their jobs. The fear that has been instilled in them has held them back from creating unions, and most workers can't afford to take the risk because it's their only source of income. Fast food workers should be allowed to form Unions because it will be a way for them to protest their grievances.Unions will give them the opportunity to speak out on the issues they face at their jobs. Just like everyone else that's employed fast food workers also deserve the chance to protest for better conditions, better pay, better treatment, etc. The government should step in and help fast food workers have the opportunity to have Unions.
I find it ridiculous that in twenty-first century America the bottom part of the workforce is still uncared for and taken advantage of. It's mandatory that fast food workers be given the right to form Unions by their narcissistic employers. The workers are the ones who get all the dirty work done, whilst the bosses sit back and spend the profits unconsciously. Yet they are still mistreated, vastly underpaid, and manipulated. The workers should be allowed to form their Unions. If the employers can decide in which fashion the workers will do things and the tasks they'll perform, fast food workers should be allowed to voice their discomfort on the things stopping them from working efficiently. This will only make things fair. Once the fast food giants allow the workers to have Unions, it will be a win-win situation for everybody. Workers will be more enthusiastic to work at their particular fast food restaurant knowing they have the right all other employees do.
If given the right to form Unions, the effects will be nothing but positive. I have a hard time understanding why the fast food industry will not allow their workers to form Unions. Only positive results will come out of the decision to let the workers have Unions. It will benefit the restaurants because their workers will have a more enthusiastic approach to their job and this will lead to a huge improvement in customer service. Which also leads to an increase in consumers thus giving the fast food giants better profits. Their workers will benefit just as much. The workers will finally feel free knowing full and well that their employers listen to them. They will be able to ask for better wages, conditions, and treatment. With a new-found approach towards their job, the workers will be able to enjoy what they do daily, rather than it been a routine thing they have to do because they are left with no other choice. Allowing fast food workers to form their unions will be beneficial for both parties concerned.
Unfortunately there still is some for of slavery in twenty first century America. The treatment fast food workers get from their employers is the modern day version of slavery. Fast food giants have taken drastic measures to make sure workers are not given the right to form Unions. They have instilled fear and used their power to make sure workers don't have a voice on issues pertaining to wages, working conditions, conduct, etc. This has caused the workers to have a negative attitude towards their job. It should be constitutional for fast food workers to have the right form Unions like all other employees. This will lead to positive changes for the employers and workers. It's mind boggling to think a huge part of the American workforce isn't allowed to have a right all other workers do.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Blog Entry 6: Brand Identification
There are certain brands that I have purchased over the course of my life and that i will continue to use for the rest of my life. My favorite brand is Apple. The first apple product i got was in 2007 when my dad bought me an iPod nano, which has been the best mp3 player for the past decade. I wanted one for so long and finally got it, it was very mainstream everybody was getting one. Since the day i got a nano, almost every gadget I've purchased has been an Apple one. My whole family has two or more Apple devices. I have an iPad and iPhone. These two devices are Apple's most popular gadgets and highest source of revenue. The bond I have with my iPhone is unbreakable. It goes with me everywhere I go, it stores all my important information, it helps me find a way when i am lost, and most of it plays me music when I am down. There isn't i thing i dislike about the iPhone, the design stands out from most other smartphones and the features in my opinion are best on any smartphone. The iPhone is the most popular smartphone in the world, as a result of that many people would think you have an iPhone because it's mainstream but for me i look at it differently. The late Steve Jobs is arguably the greatest innovator of all-time, he's someone i look up to. Steve Jobs used to present all of Apple's products before they went on sale, i used to look forward to every presentation because Steve Jobs had a way of introducing you to a new product and giving you every reason to buy it. His presentations were captivating, he had the gift of making you feel like a gadget would change your life. Presentations have not been the same since he passed, but i still purchase Apple devices because I don't believe any other company makes better gadgets. 
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
BLOG ENTRY 5: Summary and Response Essay
Fast Food companies selfishly brainwash and manipulate younger kids in order to increase their profits. For the past six decades the fast food industry has been a big part of the American economy. The biggest companies in the industry have explored all kinds of strategies to be more profitable and to build their brands. The companies highest expenses are incurred from advertising. Research shows that the likes of McDonald's, KFC, Subway, etc... spend millions of dollars on advertising annually. These fast food giants use a multitude of platforms to increase the popularity of their brands. They advertise on radio stations, television commercials, television shows, sports events, athletes, and music.The vast majority of the advertising is mainly aimed at kids, this is because the companies have realized that going after the kids is their best chance to increase the popularity of their brand. The companies mainly go after the youth because they know kids can't think for themselves and decide what's good and bad for them, therefore they use methods are made to make children like their products instantly.
The fast food industry started in the 1950s in California. Since day one they have relied on the youth for their profits and they have aimed their advertisements towards towards them. When fast foods first opened, their largest population of consumers were teenagers, who would drive in at the restaurants in cars. Initially they tried to make their business have a family like atmosphere, but now they market directly towards children. ''Children would become the new restaurant chain's target customers."(41) This explains the strategy McDonald's was going to use to boost their profits. This was a great idea Ray Kroc stated, " A child who loves our TV commercials, and brings her grandparents to a McDonald's gives us two more customers."(41) This further shows the genius of Ray Kroc, he manged to get adults to McDonald's without them been his primary focus. '' McDonald's mascot began to rival Mickey mouse in name recognition." (41) At this stage McDonald's plan to target children as their customers was a huge success, for their mascot to be as recognized as the most popular fictional character, their plan was working brilliantly. McDonald's has managed to keep children wanting to go to their restaurants frequently to this date. Six decades later my own cousin wants to have the happy meal every other day and every McDonald's i walk in there's a McDonald's land filled with kids whilst their parents sip on milkshakes and eat the best fries in the world.
Although i have deep admiration for Ray Kroc and the brilliance of his idea to market towards children, I despise the idea just as much. McDonald's has managed to get kids to consume their brand for the past half a century and more. They have used TV commercials and other forms of advertising to appeal to the minds of children and have portrayed themselves as flawless to the young minds of kids that can't decide between good and bad. One of McDonald's aim is to get children irritate, convince, nag, pressure, and guilt their parents into taking them to McDonald's. Children appeal to their parents emotions and this can be bad because some parents may just think it's about getting the kids whatever makes them happy. Although taking your child to McDonald's can get them off your back it can have more bad effects than the temporary happiness of the child. Children aren't able to see that going to McDonald's three times a week can be detrimental to their health. Obesity is one of the biggest problems in America and a lot of it is due to the large consumption of fast food. If a child goes to McDonald's more than once every week they are bound to gain weight, but McDonald's ignores the fact that children don't know that. McDonald's doesn't even make an attempt to show that they care about the health of children they could at least promote exercise but they chose to just advertise their happy meals and toys u get. Although the strategy is perfectly legal, McDonald's is able to get children to love their restaurants simply because they portray the perfect picture to children and get children to guilt their parents into taking them to their restaurants often.
The fast food industry started in the 1950s in California. Since day one they have relied on the youth for their profits and they have aimed their advertisements towards towards them. When fast foods first opened, their largest population of consumers were teenagers, who would drive in at the restaurants in cars. Initially they tried to make their business have a family like atmosphere, but now they market directly towards children. ''Children would become the new restaurant chain's target customers."(41) This explains the strategy McDonald's was going to use to boost their profits. This was a great idea Ray Kroc stated, " A child who loves our TV commercials, and brings her grandparents to a McDonald's gives us two more customers."(41) This further shows the genius of Ray Kroc, he manged to get adults to McDonald's without them been his primary focus. '' McDonald's mascot began to rival Mickey mouse in name recognition." (41) At this stage McDonald's plan to target children as their customers was a huge success, for their mascot to be as recognized as the most popular fictional character, their plan was working brilliantly. McDonald's has managed to keep children wanting to go to their restaurants frequently to this date. Six decades later my own cousin wants to have the happy meal every other day and every McDonald's i walk in there's a McDonald's land filled with kids whilst their parents sip on milkshakes and eat the best fries in the world.
Although i have deep admiration for Ray Kroc and the brilliance of his idea to market towards children, I despise the idea just as much. McDonald's has managed to get kids to consume their brand for the past half a century and more. They have used TV commercials and other forms of advertising to appeal to the minds of children and have portrayed themselves as flawless to the young minds of kids that can't decide between good and bad. One of McDonald's aim is to get children irritate, convince, nag, pressure, and guilt their parents into taking them to McDonald's. Children appeal to their parents emotions and this can be bad because some parents may just think it's about getting the kids whatever makes them happy. Although taking your child to McDonald's can get them off your back it can have more bad effects than the temporary happiness of the child. Children aren't able to see that going to McDonald's three times a week can be detrimental to their health. Obesity is one of the biggest problems in America and a lot of it is due to the large consumption of fast food. If a child goes to McDonald's more than once every week they are bound to gain weight, but McDonald's ignores the fact that children don't know that. McDonald's doesn't even make an attempt to show that they care about the health of children they could at least promote exercise but they chose to just advertise their happy meals and toys u get. Although the strategy is perfectly legal, McDonald's is able to get children to love their restaurants simply because they portray the perfect picture to children and get children to guilt their parents into taking them to their restaurants often.
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Blog Entry 4 Summarizing Arguments 2
The second chapter of Fast Food Nation is titled Your Trusted Friends. Eric Schlosser uses this chapter to show how the marketing strategies of Fast Foods and their ways of keeping their brands alive. He gives us insight into the manipulative skills McDonald's and other Fast Foods use to get kids to like their brand starting at the tender age of two. Eric states, '' While Disney was much more famous and achieved success sooner, Kroc may have been more influential. Here he is referring to Walt Disney and Ray Kroc the founders of Disney and McDonald's. Eric believes that Disney's brand was recognized universally a while before McDonald's became the most popular brand in the world. Eric however states that Kroc was more influential, one of the best examples is the Ronald McDonald statue which went on to become more recognized than any other fictional character including Disney's Micky Mouse. Eric also backs up his premise by stating that many more people tried to start their own fast food rather than film company, and the Fast Food Industry had more power over the economy than the film-making industry. Eric states, ''the best insight into the thinking of fast food marketers comes from their own words.'' Eric is telling us about the way fast food marketers think and exploit the minds of the youth. One marketer states, ''The challenge of the campaign is to make customers believe that McDonald's is their 'Trusted Friend'.'' He states McDonald's associated themselves with other brands in order for customers to connect their products with those of their alliances. One example is the Big Mac, McDonald's used the Olympics to help launch a new burger that had more meat than the Big Mac. The alliance of McDonald's with Disney was used to enhance the perception of the McDonald's Brand. One commercial read, '' ONLY MCDONALD'S MAKES IT EASY TO GET A BIT OF DISNEY MAGIC.'' This slogan was used to bait parents into buying McDonald's for their kids on an everyday basis, because it was believed that the same effect Disney toys had on kids loving their parents more was the same effect as McDonald's.
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