Last week you read “Why Bother” by Michael Pollan. What is the “viral social change” that he is describing? How would it impact the lives of individuals? What is your response to what he is suggesting here?
* If you do not recall this reading you will want to refer to pages 507-511 in Beyond Words. Please note, viral social change is a term used in the piece … it is not referring to an actual virus.
Pollan is describing the idea of people actually taking a chance on changing their individual habits, regardless of whether it makes an impact or not. And he has a very valid point, because honestly, what are you losing by choosing to be a little more green? Is one person alone going to save the world? No, that's a given. But as a community we can encourage each other and make it something that brings us together, rather than stay boxed up in our comfort zone of relying on everyone else to solve our problems for us. I thought Pollan's discussion of gardens was really interesting. I think it would be a really positive thing for individuals and communities as a whole. There's something really satisfactory in putting hard work and love into making something and watching it grow. Is it easy? For some perhaps, and others not so much. But if that's how people did it a long time ago and managed to live without all of the luxuries we have today, then I don't see why it shouldn't work for us. I also liked that he pointed out the health benefits. You're eating healthier when you grow your own food, and you get a decent workout keeping it tended. And you can't complain about having to go out and make a huge effort if you have your own garden within your yard. Living in a dorm right now, I'm a bit restricted from going about planting a garden of my own, but I want to research community gardening more. I think its a great idea. And it sounds like fun :)
ReplyDeleteMichael Pollan, in "Why Bother", describes the advantages and disadvantages in going green. He also explains why many people do not tend to go green. Since not many people think they can make a difference alone, they do not even attempt helping the environment. Pollan argues that one person can be the example that others follow. This is how he describes viral social change. Everyone should try to actually do something to help the environment instead of only thinking about it. A change could impact everyone in a community because one person will encourage the next and so on. I think this is a great idea. He says that we can all make a difference working together, although no one would be able to see the change on their own. The way to believe that you are making a difference is to act like you are. Also, there is no reason to worry about others, just focus on you. If you do your part you will feel good about it, so there is no need to think about what others are doing on the other side of the world because you cannot do anything about it. Personally, I am not one who would want to go outside and garden but after reading this I would be willing to try it to see if I could help make a difference. And even though I would be willing to try it, there would be other ways I would prefer to help the environment such as not eating meat and riding a bike instead of driving my car. I completely agree with what Michael Pollan is suggesting and think the entire population should take it into consideration.
ReplyDeleteFurbies. Plaid shirts. The word: sup. These are all products and examples of viral culture. A society in which people want or do what is fashionable at the time, what others say is cool goes. It’s a part of viral social change, a change that is so infectious that it spreads exponentially. Michael Pollan wrote about the environmental side of viral social change in “Why Bother?” to inform his audience of the possibility of this change taking flight. Pollan could wake up one morning and find that everyone on Facebook wants him to join a petition against SUV production. He could walk down the street and see McDonald’s throwing away all its meat in exchange for a vegan menu. Pollan could also see smart cars outnumber sedans on the highway one day. Now, all of these things are imaginable but Pollan argues that we shouldn’t just dream them up, we should try our best to bring them to life and hope that they catch on. If meat was lame and smart cars were the majority, going green could really become a lifestyle choice instead of a cyclic fad; it would be called being green. I think Pollan had some good points, especially with the grow-some-vegetables-of-your-own idea. My family has been growing herbs and vegetables for years and with a recent move to a home with a significantly smaller yard, we still have found a way to grow rosemary and parsley. I think this is a very easy thing to do and if someone or something could endorse the small act of planting and tending a garden then we would all find ourselves influenced and begin contributing to a viral social change that would help the Earth.
ReplyDeleteSydney,
ReplyDeleteI liked your ideas on trying. Without trying to be a little greener, the environment will never be impacted. Individual’s contributions can total to a great amount in the form of Pollan’s viral social change. We really are staying in our comfort zones by excluding ourselves from green ideas and actions. Together, in our environmentally harmed world, we are remaining, for the most part, closed minded to simple ideas like as we both noted, planting a garden. People decades ago had Victory Gardens and gardens, simply, for all of their food without disposal to markets far away. Having a garden could have been necessary or fashionable or both. Some had to rely on the few carrots and squash they could produce and some grew huge vegetables for showcasing. This still is occurring today, but that’s a different subject. What is important to realize is that gardens are beautiful ways of connecting with your green side while reaping the healthy benefits like you said.
Viral social change is brought on by the desire of the general public to create a societal change. Such a change could not be completed without the effort of the public to bring about such a change. These changes could be social, political, or cultural, but they cannot happen or make a true difference without everyone on board. Thus, as Michael Pollan explained in his article, “Why Bother,” a viral social change cannot take place without people outwardly making a conscious effort to bring about that change. Lawmakers and officials will not recognize the need to solve the energy crisis unless we show them that we feel it is necessary. This is because, sadly, lawmakers only keep their jobs when people reelect them. Therefore, we must make it abundantly clear that we want to see changes in our world to solve the energy crisis otherwise nothing will be done. As Pollan further explains, changes do not include watching “An Inconvenient Truth,” or quoting statistics about climate change to our friends. Change is enacting the daily life changes that we all know will help affect our earth. As Pollan points out, it may be difficult to make drastic life changes when you know very well that there is someone across the street, or across the world, that is using all of the excess energy that you chose to conserve. However if we as a society band together to make “going green” such a necessity that anyone who chooses to continue living unconscious of climate change is a part of the minority, then we can and will create viral social in our world.
ReplyDeleteMichael Pollan summarizes the general response of humans to the changing climate of the world in "Why Bother." It doesn’t seem like anything we do as individuals to change the way we live will be able to help the environment that we have already greatly damaged. Pollan points out that we can wait around for legislation or technology to solve environmental problems, OR, we can decide “to bother.” Deciding “to bother” describes the viral social change that Pollan is imagining. This social change would act like a virus, and spread across humans as more and more people decide to change their ways of living. Once a few people start to bother, other people will be influenced and a “chain reaction of behavioral change” will take place. In this instance, it will be the people changing who will influence the markets and therefore legislation and technology to change. At the response of consumers, markets will change to more environmental friendly products and legislation will change to satisfy the growing changes in the lifestyles of society. Pollan is suggesting that this viral social change will raise the awareness of environmental problems in the world. Going green will become a greater concern and an individual ambition.
ReplyDeleteI think Pollan is suggesting a realistic goal. The only issue is where do you begin? As of now, many environmental groups and efforts to go green are already occurring in our society. The hardest part is getting a majority of Americans to care enough to change the way they are living. But I do believe it is possible and I completely support Pollan’s theory. His piece has encouraged me to make changes in my own way of living.
We see viral social change constantly. It’s the fads we refer to that everyone falls for. It is the reason we change the clothing we wear over time, the reason we buy certain phones, and the reason we talk and act in certain ways. We are objects of what we know, influenced by viral social changes. In “Why Bother?” Pollan argues reasons for attempting a environmental viral social change. His arguments ring loud and clear, and his point is strong and convincing.
ReplyDeleteWe can all see the negative, unconvincing side to not “going green.” The question will be posed: why bother? What Pollan is trying to argue is while in your short life you may see very minimal changes due to your personal efforts, in the long run you may win. Planting a garden, driving a hybrid, recycling, using biodegradable materials only, and riding a bike. These things could eventually cause a viral social change if enough people catch on. He’s urging us to be the starters of this viral social change. It can happen.
I really enjoyed what Pollan said. To be honest, I would encourage us to do it merely for your own personal virtue, but the truth of the matter is that we are all self-absorbed, “cheap-energy minded” individuals. We just won’t do it, like Pollan said, because we can’t imagine changing our lives. Furthermore, once again, like Pollan said, the saddest part of Gore’s commentary, and representative of we the people as a whole, is the fact that we are asked simply to change our light bulbs. Gore knows, you know, I know: we won’t do it. I encourage this viral social change, and agree with Pollan’s beliefs.
Laura,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed what you wrote in your comment. I found that you made a good comparison with the Facebook example, saying that it is very possible to create this viral social change over Facebook, but until we actually do it, it cannot be done. I agree, Pollan is urging us to create this change, to make our dreams reality. I also liked your sentiment on planting herbs and vegetables in your garden. I have a garden at home as well and I find it encouraging when I hear others having gardens. I also go to a local public garden and plant once a week. I feel as if it is a good way to give back to the community, as well as encourage and promote an environmental change. We can be the catalysts for a viral social change, we just have to want to do be that catalyst.
Pollan viral social change is people going green even though individual contributions don’t necessarily make a big difference. I mean this is true and untrue. If that was the deal, then there would be no point in voting. But of course many people don’t vote just for that reason, thinking that their vote wouldn’t really matter on who wins or loses. However, a collective effort by all does make considerable change. Pollan points out that we rely so much on a higher entity such as the government to provoke change in society when really it’s the opposite that needs to happen. Government will change if society changes and this takes individuals to take the time and effort to change. That is what is wrong with our society now, we don’t take initiative. We could easily go green fully by using less gasoline and an environment-friendly energy sources but as a society we are waiting for our government to do it, and with all the lobbying and money involved in it, the only way it will change is if we change. We have to make things happen. It would impact individuals because they would be helping the environment and relying less on the government. Also, people would be taking their lives into their own hands and spending less money buying stuff or increasing the economy because they are cutting back on what makes the economy thrive. I think what Pollan describes is very accurate into what we need to do as a society to create a better environment for tomorrow.
ReplyDelete-Jennifer McQ.
Alex P,
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you said and I also enjoyed reading Pollan’s “Why Bother?” as well. I found it interesting that you inserted the Gore statement because I think the whole point of him saying that was to evoke change. If we change that one small thing like a light bulb, we will be more likely to change something bigger down the road. It is all psychology really, so I think it was smart of Gore to say that because just a simple change of a light bulb can lead to a person recycling, buying a hybrid or even planting a garden. Once a person opens up to change, progress will happen. It’s only a matter of time before we realize that going green really is a lifestyle change and it is not going to be fixed over night. It takes work, which of course our society doesn’t like. The fix isn’t easy but it is possible and a viral change is needed to make a better planet for the future.
-Jennifer McQ.
While many individuals wait for legislation and law makers to create laws that ban actions with negative effects on the environment, Michael Pollan states that a “viral social change” is needed. This means that all of society should be “infected” with the need to become more environmentally friendly so that eventually, we can be a more self sustained world. He goes on to explain the reasons for people not wanting to be more careful about the destructive actions. For instance, an individual will not want to conserve energy, if he or she knows that there is someone, somewhere, that is wasting a tremendous amount of it without a care for the world. The environmentally conscious person will feel as though his or her hard work is not making much impact. As Pollan states in “Why Bother,” for society to become more conscious about the world’s problems, everyone needs to pitch in and actually change their day to day actions. However, this does not mean that simply stating the facts about global warming or watching documentaries on it makes an individual “eco-friendly”. Knowing about it a problem doesn’t fix it. Yes, it does help when people are informed about the situation, but for real change to occur, people have to change their behavior as a whole. Also, this would help bring different types of people together. With everyone having a common goal, individuals would put aside their differences and work in unity, helping each other become a more environmentally conscious person.
ReplyDeleteLaura,
ReplyDeleteI really like the examples you gave about the Furbies, plaid shirts, and the word: sup. It really helps bring to mind how easy it is to bring about a new fad. With the example of Furbies, all I have to say is “why?” I honestly think those were the most hideous toys ever created but for some odd reason, everyone loved them. If a toy manufacturer was actually able to get those on the market, then why is it that the government is unable to do the same with “green” products? Also, the idea that people should grow their own crops is actually a pretty good one. My aunt does this with different types of spices and herbs, and they actually taste much better than the store bought ones. It’s also a pretty easy thing to do, and doesn’t take that much room in the garden to do.
Today’s society focuses too much on the individual, as Pollan’s article questions why an individual should even bother with going green. However, I think his point is to suggest that maybe it shouldn’t be the individual to make these small changes, but rather it should be adopted by a collection of individuals. Maybe it’s too hopeful that many people would adopt the change, but society is constantly looking for a new trend. Here would begin the viral social change. The viral social change is the idea that the action of one person, would evolve into a movement that is accepted by all of society. It is not planned, but rather it becomes a type of trend or even a future norm in society. Our ancestors began with farms, growing the majority of the things they needed. So if they could do it, why can’t we? He suggests that growing a garden would not only be beneficial on our own carbon footprint, but it would also reconnect the individual with its surroundings. (Especially since a majority of people, children included spend most of their time inside in front of some sort of screen).
ReplyDeleteI think Michael Pollan’s article Why Bother attempts to encourage the people who have already begun the going green movement, as he claims their efforts, even if small makes things better. For those of us who have not, he suggests a task of growing our own food garden. While he addresses the individual’s decision to go green in a time where many people fail to do so, Pollan hopes that in time, that these same “green” individuals come together and form a stronger, united force to combat the damage that society has done to the earth. Until then, we must continue with what ever little tricks we can. I don’t think it’s too much to ask and neither does Pollan.
In "Why Bother?" by Michael Pollan, the viral social change that he describes is basically the general public trying to change society together. He's trying to say that if one person does one little thing to contribute to going green then maybe another person will follow. Pollan states that there are complexities in trying to go green. People will pour their heart out to try to change and better society but another person will be doing the exact opposite and basically negate the efforts of the person trying to go green. There are many ignorant people in the world who could care less about going green and conserving energy and trying to save our planet. Pollan cleary addresses this in his article but also states that one person can make a difference. If an individual decides to adjust their lifestlye a little bit, it sets an example for other people to follow and eventually creates a sense of movement where everyone will want to participate and not be left out. There are so many miniscule things that a person can do to help out that ultimately add up and Pollan is trying to express this in his article. I completely agree with him on this topic. Although I'm not an avid "go-green" type of person, I do agree that one individual doing something meaningful will set an example for others to follow and act upon. If people act upon their thoughts and decisions. the world would instantly be a better place. Even if you don't care about what is happening to the earth or are uneducated about it, doing something small can be your contribution. After all, there is only one earth we live on, so let's do our part in saving it.
ReplyDeleteNick,
ReplyDeleteI think you made a really good point about the fact that the difference that needs to be made is going to come from a group of individuals rather than just one person. The use of the word "individuality" in this case seems to focus more on attitude than singularity. Nowadays, the idea of being an "individual" is becoming more and more popular. If we were to translate the idea of being more green to that of standing out as an individual, then I think there would be some definite movement. As we've been talking so much in class about a person's want and need for community, people are more likely to join a group of individuals rather than just a group of copy cats where everything seems to cloned. That might be a reason that some people laugh at those who are trying to go green. They don't want to be a part of just another passing fad, where everyone is going green to just jump on the trend train. Perhaps going green needs to be voiced as something more than just a fad, and truly seen as the movement that it is quickly becoming.
Laura,
ReplyDeleteI was entertained by your response and how true it is. Society will do whatever everyone else is doing. Crocs to me are the most hideous shoes ever but everyone seems to love them and wear them all over. They are not fashionable whatsoever and look like a Disney character's shoes but America was swept by them. The same notion goes for what Pollan is saying in his article. I agree with you that by doing simple tasks like growing your own vegetables can better our society. It benefits you and the planet we live on, so why not partake in it? It is so true that a movement can be started by an individual and their family and friends. One small thing can lead to so many bigger things. It's like a puzzle piece; someone has one piece and in order to make the full puzzle, everyone has to contribute with their piece.
Catalina,
ReplyDeleteThe viral social change may have already begun, as more and more people continue to discuss going green. But like you suggest, just because you are aware of the situation doesn’t necessarily mean that you have contributed to anything. I like how you point out that being informed about the situation does not change the behavior as a whole. But this seems to focus on the desire for action. Even if there is an evil twin, as Pollan states, it doesn’t mean that their actions should change the individual’s own actions. Part of me thinks that the evil twin statement becomes an excuse or at least justification for the individual who does NOT to take action. It’s the small things that Pollan hopes for us to change in our every day life. For instance, maybe if we unplug our phone or laptop chargers when they are not being used, it would be more eco-friendly. If we all pitch in, with even small things, like changing our light bulbs to energy efficient bulbs, then we could make a change, not individually but as a whole.
Viral social change is the means by which Michael Pollan believes we should go green and thus become more environmentally conscious world. The viral social change he describes in this piece sounds a lot like peer pressure on larger scale. One person cannot change the entire problem in this case and waiting for “legislation or technology to solve the problem suggests we’re not really serious about changing” and it is also not going to bring about the results that are needed. I think his idea to start small is a great idea in order to cause everyone to gradually go green and become more environmentally conscious. It just like anything else that may be seen as strange until everyone starts doing, then it is seen as acceptable and other people begin to join in. If an example is set people will begin to follow it and incorporate it into their daily lives until it is normal. It will become cool to recycle and use solar energy, drive a hybrid instead of an S.U.V. and conserve energy. People will start to become more aware about those decisions and will be persuaded to choose a more environmentally conscious choice because that is what everyone else would do. Pollan is suggesting that going green start out as a fad or something “cool” that everyone does in order for it to turn into something that is actually important and necessary in order to preserve the planet.
ReplyDeleteLaura,
ReplyDeleteIt was interesting how you began by speaking about the viral social change within our culture; especially with our language like “sup”. As you go into detail about how Pollan might see the change in the environment with a petition against SUVs or McDonalds throwing away their meat, I doubt that this will happen. Also, you explained that Pollan said that we shouldn’t just dream them up, and we should try our best to bring them to life and hope others catch on. I agree with him when it comes to this and I think that as the others catch on there will be a better chance that the population can go green. It is awesome that your family has a little garden where you grow your own vegetables and herbs. If others will follow in those footsteps maybe the environment will be better off. I wish that my family had a little garden; I think it would be nice.
Laura
ReplyDeleteExactly. I really like your response and completely agree with it. We as a culture seem to do everything everyone else does not matter how silly it is. Going green just happens not to be one of the silly things the culture tells us to do. Trying to go green can not hurt anything, it can only help the situation, so why shouldn’t we start doing it? And really, how hard can it be once we all start doing it? I really like how you put that going green would not be going green is would be called “being green”. It would become a lifestyle choice. People would choose to live more environmentally conscious just like people choose to wear crocs (like Chelsea was saying). If you walked outside and saw a hybrid parked in all your neighbors yards you would probably be more inclined to go buy one too. Being green is a choice made with the input of society and the more culture and society push going green the more people will do it.
Chelsea,
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you. Nothing can ever change in this world if one person never stands up and takes action. I know you mentioned that you’re not a big “go-green” person, and neither am I. But even little things, like using reusable bags at the grocery store, and recycling cans and bottles, sets the tone for others around you to follow. We are lucky that we are on a college campus, and are constantly within close proximity to other students our age who we can influence to make positive environmental changes, and learn from others small things we can do on a daily basis to make our world greener. I think that by making small steps as a community and a campus, we can slowly help to create a viral social change that could spread to other campuses, and eventually our country. All it takes is one person to take a small step.
The viral social change Michael Pollan described is basically the result of a chain reaction of people changing their ways and then influencing others. Viral social change impacts many lives because if one person sets an example someone else may follow, then someone else may follow that person, setting a chain reaction of “behavioral change”. People would begin changing their habits and behaviors based on how others changed their behaviors, which is generally for the best such as when it comes to going green. People’s lives would definitely be impacted by this viral social change because they would all experience some changes to their lives in some way, whether it’s their behavior or the effects of other’s behavior because all actions have consequences. In Pollan’s article he discusses viral social change when it comes to going green and helping the environment. Today many problems concerning the climate change and natural resources have been exposed, and now people have become more concerned and are working to change in ways that would help the environment. For example when it comes to cars, more and more car companies are developing hybrid cars that both decrease harmful emissions and use less gas. Since oil prices are becoming higher and people are becoming concerned about possible climate changes more people are buying hybrid cars. Now if only a few people bought a hybrid car it wouldn’t have much effect on the environment, but because hybrid cars are becoming more popular it does make a slight impact. Basically I feel that Pollan believes that change is possible, however if only one or a few people make the decision to change it wouldn’t have much effect unless more people follow one’s initiative and also change causing more and more people to change their behavior for the better.
ReplyDeleteChelsea,
ReplyDeleteI definitely think you made a good point about how even though one person may try to change and work so hard to do so, another could do the complete opposite and basically cancel out all the good the first person has done. It’s said that there are so many people that are so ignorant and don’t care about the environment, they obviously don’t realize how much going green could help the environment now and for future generations. It’s very true that if one person tries to change their ways others could follow. It’s a matter of whether or not someone is in fact willing to change that’s the problem. Like you said there are a lot of people who don’t care about going green, so even if a few people change there are always a few who won’t, but setting an example is the first step in getting others to follow. And even if people aren’t completely committed to helping the environment, little things could still help if a lot of people do it.