Thoreau's argument

Henry David Thoreau in “Walden” created the idea that simplicity is the key to living life. Thoreau’s idea about simplicity should be taken in account in today's world.

Thoreau states “Food, shelter, clothing, and fuel” (11). These four items in life are what are “necessary of life,” yet he emphasizes that man will want more; man only wants more because man never gets fulfilled. Today, people have the greatest material item but when they see someone with a greater one they emulate them. Thoreau states “I went to the woods...I did not wish to live what was not life” (80). This statement by Thoreau illustrates that because he went to the woods he uncovered the meaning of living. If he hadn't gone to the woods he would've never known he wasn't living life. Being in the woods, proved to Thoreau that a man needs to learn how to appreciate necessities. Since people today are surrounded by technology they don't appreciate what life has to offer as necessities.Thoreau questioned whether living his life was truly living life.

On the other hand, people argue against Thoreau’s ideas of simplicity when saying that people shouldn't focus on four essentials when life can offer many more. This is true but “Our life is frittered away by detail” (Thoreau 81). If man has many essentials in life, man will only focus on the materials in life. In today's world people should be pleased with having any materials, but when they see people with better they aspire. People should be satisfied with the needed and not the wanted in life.

Thoreau's ideals in the 1800’s connect to the 21st century because in this world people focus more on materials in life and this is preventing people from actually living life.

Negatives of Gmos

In Andrea Donsky's article "What's so bad about GMO's? Top ten reasons to avoid them" (2014), she proclaims the her unknowingly audience that they probably do not know they are eating genetically modified food because of the lack of labeling. Donsky then states all the effects that genetically modified food has on people and the environment.

Donsky's purpose of this article was to inform people about genetically modified organisms and their effects. By informing more people about this issue she can spark an ignition to start action against GMO's. One important factor she notes is about the lack of labeling food "federal regulations on labeling foods that contain GMO's, none have passed" ;and because of this food companies as well do not want to tell their customers if their food is genetically modified because of the fear of losing clientele. However, by not telling their customers, or not labeling, many impacts on human health could be rising without the person even knowing. As Donsky states "GMO's have only been in out diet since mid '90s...what the long-term health impacts truly are" she makes the point of the citizens of America being left out on any information regarding the true effects of GMO's because they haven't been around long enough to be justified. Some of the negative impacts Donsky states include "pesticides...cancer...environmental...super weeds...patent issues..." These are just some of the risks she states but there could always be more that have not been discovered yet. All these issues in some way revolve around the topic of the people or environment. Donsky chooses all these negative impacts for a reason; the reason being she wants her audience to not feel ignorant in society but "in the loop." She wants her audience to know the harms of GMO's and she does it well.

Donsky, Andrea. "What's So Bad About GMOs? Top Ten Reasons to Avoid Them." What's So Bad About GMOs? Top Ten Reasons to Avoid Them. 9 Sept. 2014. Web. 05 Feb. 2016. <http://naturallysavvy.com/eat/whats-so-bad-about-gmos-top-ten-reasons-to-avoid-them>.i

Genetically modified food pros and cons

In Joshua Duvauchelle's article "Pros & cons of GMO foods" (2014), he proposed a neutral position towards genetically modified food. Health issues and "superweeds" are the consequences from GMO's; decreased pollution and herbicide resistant plants are the benefits of GMO's.

Duvauchelle's article is beneficial to the concerned citizens of America because it informs them on the factors of GMO's, whether negative or positive. His purpose throughout the article is not to give his audience a bias position but rather just to state the facts of what GMO's are and what how they're impacting the world. The "Pros & cons of GMO foods" article is the perfect suit to my topic because it gives off context of  genetically modified food and whether it should be banned or not. Duvauchelle gives off great points for each side, for example GMO's are benefiting the problem of pollution because it's decreasing the amount of herbicides that are needed for plants. However, he also states that GMO's are creating new allergens from all the transformations the food has gone through which is impacting society. Therefore, Duvauchelle's article is a great starter when it comes to choosing a position on genetically modified food.

Duvauchelle, Joshua. "Pros & Cons of GMO Foods." LIVESTRONG.COM. LIVESTRONG.COM, 13 Jan. 2014. Web. 30 Jan. 2016. <http://www.livestrong.com/article/213053-pros-cons-of-gmo-foods/>.

Anger: An American History

In Schiff's opinion editorial "Anger: An American History" (2015) New York Times she claims that America has evolved but it has not revolutionized because the same problems in America are still occurring. The author first uses examples by Ryan's quote "not what this country stands for" to show expert opinions towards her topic; she then compares old and present America using  New England; and to conclude she illustrates with diction such as "Amen" to Trump's statement. Her purpose is to prove to her reader's that it may seem as a lot of change has come to America but in reality it is not that different as it was in the 17th century, and the problem's that have risen since those dates have grown instead of disappeared. She seems to have an upscale audience in mind because she uses Trump as her evidence and Trump is an advocate who doesn't support minorities.

Obesity as a disease

In Crystal L. Hoyt and Jeni L. Brunette's editorial "Should obesity be a 'disease'?" (February 21, 2014), they emphasize that calling obesity a disease may have different effects on a person because of their psychological thoughts. The authors first make a claim with rhetorical questions; they then portray their position with imagery; to conclude they illustrate their argument with strong diction. Their purpose is to prove the different positions on obesity being categorized as a disease in order to show the difference of people on this idea. They seem to have a considerate audience in my mind because they show the two different reactions people may have from naming obesity a disease.

Obesity editorial

In "Sugar is a problem , but are proposed new labels a solution?" Los Angeles Times (August 2015) sugar is seen as more of a problem that should be labeled if it is natural or not. Foods that naturally contain sugar can also be as unhealthy as the "added sugar" and this becomes a problem when people think natural sugars are healthier, and they start consuming more of the natural sugars, yet too much of sugar is unhealthy. The FDA worries that if companies begin to use fruits' sugars, which would allow them not to use the "added sugars" label, yet it is still a conflicting crisis from mislabeling. People would rather move away from "added sugars" to natural sugars, but it doesn't mean that one type of sugar is healthier than the other because they are both as harmful when the intake becomes great. Most intakes of sugar occur through soda which is a main cause in obesity.

"Sugar Is a Problem, but Are Proposed New Labels a Solution?" Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2015. Web. 25 Oct. 2015. <http://www.latimes.com/opinion/editorials/la-ed-added-sugar-fda-nutrition-labels-obesity-20150812-story.html>. 

Obesity

In "Overcoming obesity-and making it last" U.S. News by Yvette C. Terrie (2014) her main claim is to inform about obesity and how to overcome it. Terrie proclaims about the amount of adolescents and adults being obese. The author emphasizes the importance of the diseases that can occur from obesity such as diabetes type II and heart diseases. She informed that many causes of obesity have to do with a persons diet and lack of physical activity. Therefore, she comes up with the resolution that people can change to healthier diets, more physical activity, and even set small weight loss goals per day.

Terrie, Yvette. "Overcoming Obesity-and Making It Last." U.S. News. 20 Oct. 2014. Web. 11 Oct. 2015. <http://health.usnews.com/health-news/patient-advice/articles/2014/10/20/overcoming-obesity-and-making-it-last>.