Michael Pollan - Ted Talk
Unfortunately when it comes to Mr. Michael Pollan I can not seem to get past an unfortunate and debilitating case of “teenage fan girl ridiculousness” (squeal!) to write about his work with a modicum of professionalism. If you haven’t heard of his writings and work already I would highly suggest running out and getting a copy of what I think is one of the very best books about gardening ever written, “Second Nature.” The Ted talk (above) leads off from ideas conveyed in his book “The Botany of Desire.”
I highly recommend exploring the Ted talks in general since it is a fantastic resource of intelligent and thoughtful ideas and people.
February 21st, 2008 at 2:38 pm
I just heard about the Ted Talks a couple days back while watching the news on PBS and I am excited to see that Mr. Pollan was involved!
Thanks for the link.
February 21st, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Michael Pollan is one of my favorite writers. I love how he blends so many disciplines (science, natural history, naturalism) with such thorough research. He’s my journalistic hero!
February 21st, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Fun and inspiring, thanks for that Gayla!
February 22nd, 2008 at 9:10 am
Don’t worry, you’re not the only one who suffers from “teenage fan girl ridiculousness” when it comes to Mr. Pollan. I bought “In Defense of Food” on CD because I’ve been too busy to sit down and read and I’ve already listened to it three times. I then went and got a second copy of “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” because I couldn’t wait to get it back from the people who borrowed it before I listen to it again. Obsessive much? LOL
February 22nd, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Eat your hearts out, people. I heard him speak at Brown University in Providence, RI last night. He’s funny, self-deprecating and witty as well as really committed and informative. I am greatful to Brown for opening their guest lectures to the public. Really strange: As we entered the hall people were leaving a talk by John Bolton. And next week Evo Morales is scheduled to speak. That’s diversity with a vengeance.
February 22nd, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Well, that puts everything into perspective doesn’t it? Thanks for that Gayla! Mr. Pollan’s comments on how we humans hold on to old concepts of our superiority/power over nature reminded me of an old New Yorker cartoon… a chicken and a cow are talking beside a fence… The chicken says to the cow: “Pigs are so stupid!”
Greg
P.S. The animals in this joke are interchangable. …oh, and remember humans are animals, too. Oh yeah, and now the animals are interchangable with plants… from what I gathered from Mr. Pollan’s talk!