Comments on: Fine’s Sense of Local

By: OrgoCowboy

OrgoCowboy — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 13:42:53 +0000

Pros and cons of Globalization. Forget dark matter. I guess it keep the universe interesting that it seems so composed of gray areas.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 21:23:37 +0000

Thanks for this post. I actually live in Bolivia and just returned last week from a trip to southern Chile. I have to admit I was so giddy about having actual roads, mail service, and a present police force that I barely gave a second thought to the price Chile’s natural resources are paying for the country’s development. However, part of the reason Bolivia still has “natural” farming is because it’s incredibly poor and underdeveloped, and I definitely don’t think this is a better scenario. It’s a conundrum, I guess.

By: OrgoCowboy

OrgoCowboy — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 17:06:14 +0000

Indeed, I’d say that there’s always been what I consider good Globalization and bad Globalization. For an example of the good kind, see the Tlingit carver’s “share the tasks” lesson to me on page 203-204 of “Farewell, My Subaru.” No culture is an island! (But I think you’re right, Jason, that it has to be sustainable, for all sides.)

By: Jason Snow

Jason Snow — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 05:22:44 +0000

Sad to hear. Globalization may have some benefits, but is sure seems that it is being predominantly used to turn a short-term profit. So long as consumers value cheap prices above all else, I expect this to continue.

By: OrgoCowboy

OrgoCowboy — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 18:20:17 +0000

Ya know, since posting this Dispatch, it keeps coming to me that nothing about Globalization is new. The latest example came the other night: I’m reading “Little House On The Prairie” out loud at story time. The pioneer family can’t find space on their wagon for the family dog (he runs alongside from Wisconsin to Kansas via Minnesota and Iowa), but they need enough coffee for a pot every morning and one every night. So “Colombian Grown”(TM) plantations have been supplying North American caffeine fixes since at least 1873.

By: OrgoCowboy

OrgoCowboy — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 22:36:20 +0000

Don’t get me wrong: the unmolested, wild parts of the country (out of the smog zone) are some of the most spectacular I’ve seen on the planet. I mean, I can’t wait to see them again. Waterfalls reflecting rainbows off of glaciers, that kind of thing. It’s the parts of the country currently being misused by unsustainable industry that set me to thinking.

By: Ron

Ron — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 18:27:23 +0000

Thanks for the eye-opening post. I had no idea that Chile was that far gone. Very sad. I have generally been avoiding produce that has traveled half the planet before it arrives in the market. Your description of Chile makes me more determined than ever to buy local produce when I can.

By: OrgoCowboy

OrgoCowboy — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 19:05:33 +0000

Well, compared to Alpha Centauri, Chile is local. Galactically-speaking, you’re eating local when you pop a Chilean grape.

By: bijou

bijou — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 20:58:05 +0000

Thank you for posting this. I was so excited to eat cherries the other day. “It’s a splurge,” I told myself. They were from Chile and even though I did think about how so very far they had traveled, I also thought it was kind of quaint and exotic at the same time. I’m happy to have my eyes opened.

By: Al Larabee

Al Larabee — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 05:43:54 +0000

I’m not sure whether I should thank you or not after reading about your trip.Depressing .I had no idea what was going on in Chile.
I am aware however that I don’t eat farmed fish or very much produce that is not grown locally in nw Washington.
The biggest of the big box stores sells a great deal of farmed fish and pesticide laden produce.Unfortunately people still buy it.
Locally grown is available in many areas in the U.S.,but educating the consumer is almost impossible.Hopefully schools will give information to kids and they can try to teach mom and dad.
Welcome back !