What it Means to Waste Food
In Friday’s issue of the Brown and White, a letter from Jailin Lu was published. It contends that the so-called egregious waste of food that occurs on a daily basis in the fine eating establishments on this campus are responsible for the genocide of millions of people in much of the underdeveloped world.
Jailin’s letter largely attempts to apply the cultural customs of China, in particular their ancient proverb of “wasting food is a crime” and that it was disrespectful towards farmers to waste their hard work. However, we do not live in China, nor do we live in Ancient times. Instead, farming is a profit-driven enterprise conducted by less than two percent of the American population in today’s day and age. Wasting food in today’s world is no more disrespectful to farmers then wasting gas is to oil drillers.
Another contention perpetrated by the letter was that wasted food here translates into recurring genocide throughout much of the world. However, wasted food, which equates to higher food prices in the United States is beneficial; not detrimental to much of the world. Many people in rural Asia and sub-Saharan Africa are local farmers. Higher food prices translate into an increased amount of money that can be made by farmers, which in turn spurs local investment, increased economic development and the ability for many to improve their social standing. In turn, higher food prices are beneficial, and not detrimental to impoverished people throughout the world.
Very, very intriguing analysis. Thanks for the ammo when I argue with idiots!
If you were curious what the next generation of evil looks like, look no further.
Did you possibly consider that the writer of the article in the brown and white was primarily concerned with the millions of people, including 11.1 million Americans, who go hungry or are in risk of hunger and not possible disrespect toward poor Chinese farmers?
No one cares about how wasted food at Lehigh affects agricultural market forces in China. The writer simply tried to remind people that they should be a little more thoughtful about how much food they waste in respect for those who go without. Like many of your previous articles, you over-think a harmless recommendation in order to frame every issue into your laughable libertarian world view.
http://www.bread.org/learn/hunger-basics/hunger-facts-domestic.html
http://feedingamerica.org/faces-of-hunger/hunger-101/hunger-and-poverty-statistics.aspx
Way to delete comments that challenge the article without a proper response or justification because it may have hurt the author’s feelings. Don’t post amateur articles if you don’t want them to get torn apart.
To briefly repeat what I had wrote before it was deleted – Way to completely miss the point of a harmless article in the Brown and White to encourage students to consider how much food they waste in respect to the millions who go without. No one cares about how Lehigh students wasting food supposedly affects the market forces for rural agriculture in China. Given the author’s libertarian world view and probable lily white upbringing, he probably has no concept of poverty or hunger in the United States, much less the rest of the world, so I can’t really fault him for such a naive article.
If I am the next generation of evil, I would hate to see what the next generation of good looks like.
I appreciate your thoughtful comments and constructive criticisms of my work, and look forward to having intelligent conversations with yourself throughout my time as a Patriot writer.
The fact of the matter is that choices have consequences. We live in a global economy, and social changes here ripple through the entire world, interacting with things neither you nor I could even fathom of.
I fail to see how I have included libertarian influences on this subject, and would appreciate it if you could enlighten me.
I thank you for the statistics on hunger, however I see them as neither here nor there. I’m not disputing the problem at hand; only discussing the Brown and White’s piece on the subject. The rationale used to “persuade” people to waste less food is laughable at best.
In response to your second comment, I have no control over what comments get approved or deleted; that decision rests with the editor.
After disgracing yourself by resorting to ad homonym attacks on my upbringing and character, I invite you to step out of the shadows and publish under your real name.
My upbringing was hardly lily white as you report; I was raised by blue-collar employees and worked hard for everything I have.
My bad. I have disgraced myself and will not continue the argument or start any others. I was angry that the comment was deleted because the Patriot has a reputation for not publishing counter arguments in the print edition and it’d be a shame if it began to happen on the website as well.
ES,
Your post was not deleted. It was held for moderation, probably due to the two hyperlinks in your post, which are indicative of spam.
The Patriot looks to encourage free speech. However, please do not resort to personal attacks unless, as Mike mentions, you publish under your real name. If you have any concerns about this policy, please contact editor@lehighpatriot.com.
There is a minor error in this article. You say “They contend that the so-called egregious waste…” But this was a letter to the editor in The Brown and White. It should read “He contends…” A letter to the editor does not reflect the opinion of the paper, just the author of the letter, Mr. Lu. I assume the error was inadvertant, but it wouldn’t be fair to assume that is the opinion of The Brown and White.
John,
The article has been fixed to reflect your comment so that this post is not misinterpreted.
Thanks,
Ben
Thanks, Ben!