Real Food and Regulatory Woes
As the general public is urged to transition towards a lifestyle of health and sustainability, “Is “Eat Real Food” Unthinkable”, examines the reality and productivity of this argument. The author, Mark Bittman carefully and realistically examines that quest by the government to transform the diet of the American population and acknowledges that although we need a shift in our attitudes and behaviors when it comes to our dietary approaches, these should come from the shift to eat real food not less food.
Bittman speaks in a conversational tone that is skeptical of the advice that the government has put forth. In addition, he makes use of references such as Oprah Winfrey and the U.S.D.A to appeal to not only facts, but also popular culture. There are many links within the post itself driving readers to pages that are tied to the cause. These include links to Oprah Winfrey and her staff’s quest to go vegan for a week, the 2010 U.S.D.A dietary guidelines, other articles related to the topic, and also other links to important dietary information. This increases the validity of Bittman’s argument and also provides a greater background for those who want to learn more establish trust and confidence in his argument. This interaction also ensures that the conversation keeps going as all of these outlets are continual references for the battle for our dietary choices. In addition, the bottom of the page contains links to his blog, Facebook and Twitters so readers can learn more about the background of the author.
The post keeps our attention through references to real life examples and applications, and identifying the holes in the current argument proposed by the government. Short paragraphs with clear facts/stories allows the post to transition easily while still engaging the audience.
The post begins with a background of the issue at hand. It sheds light on important facts such and initiatives spearheaded by the U.S.D.A. As the article progresses it relates it to real life examples and points on the impact and the value of dietary adjustments/recommendations on our everyday life. The article has a powerful ending as it communicates the true action we should take. Bittman argues that is not about less food, or eating Wal-marts healthier packaged food, but instead of eating real food. The ending is captivating as he using to acronym “Eat Real Food (ERF)” to stay on the tip of everyone’s tongue and reinforce the point of his post.
Another post I read, “When Uber and Airbnb Meet the Real World” by Claire Cain Miller discusses the challenges and impacts tech-startups like these two companies are having. The article begins discussing the regulatory challenges that these companies are facing and ends indentifying how these regulatory challenges are merely roadblocks in the development and success of the companies. Miller has an optimistic tone and gives an account that is both easy to comprehend and factual to ensure that readers are informed yet not overwhelmed. The post identifies three main principles throughout and then closes by establishing just how the company will succeed regardless.
In order to connect the post the beginning contains a link to another article about contract workers in Silicon Valley. There are not as many links in this post as there were in the previous article. In that regard, it means that the reader would have to do more external research without the guidance of the author. However, there is a clear heading relating to “The Upshot” which is which is a website that provides news an analysis about policy and everyday life. This provides reader for context for the author. However, Miller includes enough facts/details to feel trustworthy in her approach/analysis of these tech-startups. The post flows easily and ends with a great sentence that keeps readers thinking after they close out the article, “Regulators are little more than roadblocks standing in the way of innovation.”
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I agree that the tone of the post is skeptical, it is almost even condescending. The tone is in no doubt a reflection of how Bittman feels about the government’s suggestion to eat “less food”. The multiple links to outside resources make the post interactive with the audience and encourages them to further their research on the subject. Some of these links are to other articles making the post interactive with other sites. Just like you said, the people he chose to interact with in this post help him relate to pop culture and in turn I think that helps keep the reader’s attention. There are no pictures or graphs included to help him keep attention on his post. The post starts out be describing the government’s acronym regarding eating (SOFAS – solid fats and added sugars) and ends by creating his own (ERF – eat real food).