May 1, 2008
hubris and nemesis; the economy of food
On March 11 a new documentary was aired on French television. It is a documentary most Americans will never see, explaining how the gigantic biotech corporation Monsanto is threatening to destroy the agricultural biodiversity which has served mankind for thousands of years.
For millennia, farmers have saved seeds from season to season. But when Monsanto developed GM seeds that would resist its own herbicide, Roundup, Monsanto patented the seeds. For nearly all of its history the United States Patent and Trademark Office refused to grant patents on seeds, viewing them as life-forms with too many variables to be patented. But in 1980 the U.S. Supreme Court allowed for seed patents in a five-to-four decision, laying the groundwork for a handful of corporations to begin taking control of the world’s food supply.
more here about the seed gestapo
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The link credits a Vanity Fair article, “Monsanto’s Harvest of Fear,” which you can read online here or in the May newsstand issue (the one with Madonna on the cover, not the scandalous forthcoming issue).
Oh, yes, and how could I have forgotten? There is the “Industrial” (“Corn”) chapter of Michael Pollan’s The Omnivore’s Dilemma, in which Monsanto looms large.
Okay, I was just scrolling through the front page and came across this post by Alek. My eye caught two words–Hubris and GM. My immediate thought:
The Chrysler Hubris
I wanted to make it a General Motors vehicle, but nothing goes with Hubris quite like Chrysler. I add this to my other recently proposed auto name, the Buick Downpour.
For some reason, auto manufacturers have yet to offer me the job of Official Namer.
If I were the Deaconess of Detroit, Cindy, I would appoint you Official Namer.
“Nothing goes with Hubris quite like Chrysler.” You should be paid for coming up with things like that.
GM: General Motors. Genetically Modified. Too good.