Film,+Article


 * Jeremy Washington Film, Annotation #1, 5/5/2015 **

Cowspiracy

1. Title, author/director, citation?

 Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret. Kip Andersen, Keegan Kuhn. 2014

2. What is the main topic or argument of the text, or the central argument or narrative of the film?

 Agriculture is the leading cause of climate change, so why aren’t we doing anything about it?

3. How is the argument or narrative made and sustained?

 The narrative is made by following Kip Andersen on a journey for answers. He is a guy who considers himself an environmentalist. He establishes relatable credentials then proceeds to question the lack of dialogue surrounding agriculture and climate change in America. He questions environmental organizations: Greenpeace, The Sierra Club, WWF, and many others on his journey for the truth. The narrative reveals holes in our large environmental groups and corruption at all levels. The argument is sustained through the simple data presented on agriculture and water usage, energy usage, and emissions.

4. Discuss 2-4 quotes or scenes that capture the critical import of the text or film.
 * Witnessing a man chop off the head of a live duck.
 * Identifying the hypocrisy behind environmentalists not on vegan diets
 * When the film lost its funding due to the controversial nature of the issue at hand.
 * All of the scenes where leaders of environmental groups were stumped when asked about agriculture and their goals.

5. What parts of the article or film did you find most persuasive and compelling? Least?
 * The facts and figures showing the amount of impact the agriculture industry has on the environment.
 * The use of large environmental organizations and identifying their flaws.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The corruption behind the agricultural industry and policy makers compared to the energy sector.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">6. What concepts, passages, arguments, or scenes didn't you understand?
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The film was very straight forward. There were few moments where I felt the scales of their models were over generalized but nothing was difficult to understand.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">7. What questions does the article or film raise for you, or what additional information would you like to know? <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">I would like to know how influential the vegan diet is on sustainability. As well as the net worth of these agricultural industries in comparison to other industries that have clashed with the environmental movement.


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Jeremy Washington Text, Annotation #2 **

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">1. Title, author/director, citation?

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> The Systems View of Life: A Unifying Vision. Fritjof Capra, Pier Luigi Luisi.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">2. What is the main topic or argument of the text, or the central argument or narrative of the film?

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> The main topic of the introduction of this texts is to identify the origin and nature of life from the perspective of modern science. Looking into the scientific method, paradigms, and mechanistic vs holistic approach to thinking.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">3. How is the argument or narrative made and sustained?

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The argument is made through comparisons between two types of thinking. Whether it be mechanistic vs holistic or science vs modern science. The narrative is sustained through comparisons from ‘traditional’ (for lack of a better word) to modern science. They identify and use the concept of paradigms to tie it all together as a complex process, not just two individual entities.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">4. Discuss 2-4 quotes or scenes that capture the critical import of the text or film.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">“Questioning the continuous progress of science.” This quote really sums up the text as a whole. Next, “scientific facts emerge out of human perceptions, values and actions.” A quote that gets the reader thinking. It is such a big statement that leads one to question truth and science as concepts and in their everyday lives.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">5. What parts of the article or film did you find most persuasive and compelling? Least?

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The most compelling section of this text was the piece on paradigm shifts. It delved deeper into a concept that I had heard many times before, but not like this. I feel as if I have a grip on the term ‘paradigm shift’ as a concept and not a buzzword.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">6. What concepts, passages, arguments, or scenes didn't you understand?

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">When looking deeper into paradigm shifts I was left with a few questions. (listed below)

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">7. What questions does the article or film raise for you, or what additional information would you like to know?

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">When discussing paradigm's is there a "right" vs "wrong" or simply a broad perception? Is there an alternative/ suggested paradigm to systems thinking?

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">1. Reflections on Gaia, James Lovelock
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Jeremy Washington Text, Annotation #3 **

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">2. What is the main topic or argument of the text, or the central argument or narrative of the film?

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The development and critiques of the Gaia Hypothesis.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">3. How is the argument or narrative made and sustained?

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The narrative is made through a brief background on James Lovelock’s inspiration for the hypothesis. From NASA research to microbiology, he describes his intellectual journey that sparked the hypothesis. His use of interdisciplinary connections helps sustain the narrative. The critique on the critics sustains the narrative as well.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">4. Discuss 2-4 quotes or scenes that capture the critical import of the text or film.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">First, Lovelock writes: “Call Gaia weak if you will, but let us see which predictions of this weak little theory have been confirmed.” This quote stood out as personal. He was angry, and a bit of arrogance shows as he takes his chance to prove the naysayers wrong. It took the narrative from scientific to relatable which I enjoyed as a reader.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Second: “By stressing the importance of the Earth’s bacterial ecosystem and its being the fundamental infrastructure of the planet, Lynn put flesh on the skeleton of Gaia” This quote highlights the collaboration of thoughts between Locklove and Lynn. The following paragraphs in the text go onto describe how this collaboration became Gaia theory. When looking at sciences of sustainability, I found that this collaborative system is a reoccurring theme.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">5. What parts of the article or film did you find most persuasive and compelling? Least?

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The most compelling part of the text was the critique on the critics. Lovelock reverting into a man with his ego, went step by step to show where he was right and where they were wrong. For such a controversial theory, I respect Lovelock’s approach.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">6. What concepts, passages, arguments, or scenes didn't you understand?

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">I did not fully understand the argument against Neo-Darwinism and they may simply spark from a lack of knowledge of the Neo-Darwinist approach to biological systems.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">7. What questions does the article or film raise for you, or what additional information would you like to know?

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">If the Gaia hypothesis had been presented today, would the backlash have been as harsh? Do we live in a world that could accept this idea or even accept it as fact?


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Jeremy Washington Text, Annotation #4 **

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">1. Gaia by Any Other Name. Lynn Margulis

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">2. What is the main topic or argument of the text, or the central argument or narrative of the film?

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The development and growth of the Gaia theory.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">3. How is the argument or narrative made and sustained?

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The narrative is made through the use of data and examples to support the overall theory. While the narrative is told similar to a story with Margulis as the main character, the science is there to back it up.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">4. Discuss 2-4 quotes or scenes that capture the critical import of the text or film.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The very first paragraph. The “hairless chatty chimps” and the “dirty nigger, one nation under God, drug addicts”, really stood out, we mentioned it in class and discussed it for a while. But it really captures the complexities of humanity and language in a simplified way. Second, “We have some distance still to travel because a proper understanding of the Earth requires the abolition of disciplinary boundaries.” This is actually a quote from Lovelock that explains the importance of interdisciplinary studies in one sentence.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">5. What parts of the article or film did you find most persuasive and compelling? Least?

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The most compelling part of the texts was the extensive list of examples supporting the claims of the theory. She did a good job finding a wide variety of supportive data.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">6. What concepts, passages, arguments, or scenes didn't you understand?

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The Gaia hypothesis in terms of energy flow and the significance of the 400,000 year old annual ice core record.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">7. What questions does the article or film raise for you, or what additional information would you like to know?

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">How exactly have historians adopted the Gaia theory into their works?


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Jeremy Washington Text, Annotation #5 **

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">1. Values are a Good Thing in Conservation Biology. Reed F. Noss

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">2. What is the main topic or argument of the text, or the central argument or narrative of the film? <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Should scientists be involved as advocates in public policy debates?

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">3. How is the argument or narrative made and sustained? <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The narrative is made through the use of perspective. It starts with the outside perspective of conservation biologist, then to the policy makers perspective when using science, and finally from a scientists perspective when working with policy makers.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">4. Discuss 2-4 quotes or scenes that capture the critical import of the text or film. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">“Conservation biology has been described throughout its history as “value-laden,” “mission-oriented,” “normative,”and sometimes in less flattering terms.” Noss touches on the core of conservation biology and its stigma in society. It has been known as a science that is intertwined with values about the earth. Second, “This approach sounds reasonable, but unfortunately two rather untenable assumptions lie at its heart: (1) that policy makers understand the science well enough to make a rational choice and (2) that policy makers are honest and altruistic and therefore will behave ethically in the best interest of the public.” Noss describes two situations that are all too familiar to environmentalists today as well as captures the message of the text.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">5. What parts of the article or film did you find most persuasive and compelling? Least? <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The most compelling part of the article was the argument of credibility. Noss discusses the credibility of science when it comes to policy.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">6. What concepts, passages, arguments, or scenes didn't you understand? <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The article was straight forward and well written, simple to understand.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">7. What questions does the article or film raise for you, or what additional information would you like to know? Does this theory apply to all scientists? Can one make this same argument for climate science or physicists?

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">1. Title, director and release year? <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Director: Ana Sofia Joanes > Become aware of where your food comes from and identify alternatives. > <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The argument is made through case studies of different people in different aspects of the agricultural industry. Starting with Joel the farmer, onto the composter, then the locally grown grocery store. > Ecological, organizational, economic, and behavioral. To address ecological issues they use economic concepts to chance people’s behavior. For example the compost training workshop that went in depth on the soil, the worms, and the garden afterwards. > The most persuasive part of the film was the two examples of the farm to the dinner table. First, Joel feeding his family with food only grown and raised on his farm. Next was the compost meal that showed each and every part of the process in creating the fresh foods. > I was not fully convinced by the fully local grocery store. It seems as if it I an old solution to a new problem, therefore we can expect the same results. > This best addresses eater, anyone who likes food. This film really stresses the importance of knowing where food comes from, not necessarily how to change it. Therefore it addresses a broad audience. > A better call to action. The fresh website was not the most informative or helpful for joining the cause through action instead of donations. > What additional information has this film compelled you to seek out? (Provide at least two supporting references.) <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The action point that I took away was the education curve. Research and education about food production to bridge the gap between the farms to the table.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Jeremy Washington Text, Annotation #6 **
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Fresh. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">(2009)
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">2. What is the central argument or narrative of the film?
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">3. How is the argument or narrative made and sustained? How much scientific information is provided, for example? Does the film have emotional appeal?
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">4. What sustainability problems does the film draw out?Political? Legal? Economic? Technological? Media and Informational?Organizational? Educational? Behavioral? Cultural? Ecological?
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">5. What parts of the film did you find most persuasive and compelling? Why?
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">6. What parts of the film were you not compelled or convinced by? Why?
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">7. What audiences does the film best address? Why?
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">8. What could have been added to this film to enhance its environmental educational value?
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">9. What kinds of action and points of intervention are suggested by the film? If the film itself does not suggest corrective action, describe actions that you can imagine being effective.


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Jeremy Washington Text, Annotation #7 **

> <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Yes Men Are Revolting <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">. (2014) <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Andy Bichlbaum, Mike Bonanno > Question the absurdities of our current systems and practices. > <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The Yes Men Are Revolting explored the yes men and their progress as well as their newest projects. It raised awareness for large scale issues such as energy extraction and toxic spills. They address international issues using elaborate pranks to identify absurdities in the system. > Political, media and informational, organizational, and cultural. > I found the shell drilling party in Seattle the most compelling. It was a very well planned and executed prank that got coverage on an issue (drilling in Alaska) that is relevant. > I was not very convinced by the biography aspects of the film. It was very entertaining, but as a call to action it took away from the importance of the issues at hand. > Those already involved in the environmental movement. To fully appreciate the work of the Yes Men, one needs to understand their projects from an environmental and organizational perspective. It holds more value to those who also have attempted to organize for a cause. > One thing that could have been added was a section on international environmental issues. Most of their issues were well known, but going in depth on the external issues would have been helpful. > What additional information has this film compelled you to seek out? (Provide at least two supporting references.) <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">They advertise their Yes Men initiative for people to get involved in smaller future progress. Other organizations are also mentioned in the film which are easy to join and take actions with.
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">1. Title, director and release year?
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">2. What is the central argument or narrative of the film?
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">3. How is the argument or narrative made and sustained? How much scientific information is provided, for example? Does the film have emotional appeal?
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">4. What sustainability problems does the film draw out?Political? Legal? Economic? Technological? Media and Informational?Organizational? Educational? Behavioral? Cultural? Ecological?
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">5. What parts of the film did you find most persuasive and compelling? Why?
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">6. What parts of the film were you not compelled or convinced by? Why?
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">7. What audiences does the film best address? Why?
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">8. What could have been added to this film to enhance its environmental educational value?
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">9. What kinds of action and points of intervention are suggested by the film? If the film itself does not suggest corrective action, describe actions that you can imagine being effective.

> <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Food, Inc <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">. (2008) <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Director: Robert Kenner > The current state of the food industry is unsustainable. > <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The argument is sustained through graphic examples of animal mistreatment in the production industry. > Ecological with a core focus on animal cruelty. > The most persuasive part of the film for me was the cow slaughterhouse. Even though the scene was graphic, it played on pathos, drew on emotions and sparked a reaction. In short, it was effective. > I was not convinced by the economic aspects of the film, and I wish they would have gone deeper into the numbers. One woman had $500,000 in debt from her chicken farm. She only made $20,000 a year farming. It seems impractical, and unintelligent to even expose yourself to that kind of debt. It raised the question: why does anyone join this heavily controversial industry with their current practices? > This film best addresses food consumers, those that purchase food for the household. They dropped large corporation names and the argument ultimately pushes to move past those brands. > Addressing the political details further. Deeper insight into policy making against corporations would definitely enhance the environmental educational value. > What additional information has this film compelled you to seek out? (Provide at least two supporting references.) <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">This film has compelled me to seek out the major food corporations and their practices. As well as food industry regulations that are effective and ineffective.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Jeremy Washington Text, Annotation #8 **
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">1. Title, director and release year?
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">2. What is the central argument or narrative of the film?
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">3. How is the argument or narrative made and sustained? How much scientific information is provided, for example? Does the film have emotional appeal?
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">4. What sustainability problems does the film draw out?Political? Legal? Economic? Technological? Media and Informational?Organizational? Educational? Behavioral? Cultural? Ecological?
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">5. What parts of the film did you find most persuasive and compelling? Why?
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">6. What parts of the film were you not compelled or convinced by? Why?
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">7. What audiences does the film best address? Why?
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">8. What could have been added to this film to enhance its environmental educational value?
 * 1) <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">9. What kinds of action and points of intervention are suggested by the film? If the film itself does not suggest corrective action, describe actions that you can imagine being effective.