Blog # 6

a. What does “organic” mean? And how is it rhetorical?
Organic as defined by the standard dictionary means "noting or pertaining to a class of chemical compounds that formerly comprised only those existing in or derived from plants or animals..." however there is much more to the word organic then meets the eye. Most people today would believe that a product labeled organic would be something natural, healthy, no artificial additives, and grown in a healthy environment. "Organic stood for everything industry was not" (Pollan, Omnivores Dilemma Chpt 9 pg 142). Now organic is simply used in a beguiling manner, by the marketing companies, this is the rhetoric behind the word. Sure a product labeled organic is produced differently from one that lacks the label, however Pollan would say that the major difference is that the organic food has a story behind it "....Now a steak like that has got to taste better than one from Safeway, where the only accompanying information comes in the form of a number: the price..." (Pollan, The Omnivores Dilemma, chpt 9 pg135). In this way the word is rhetorical, a tool used by the market to evoke feelings of confidence that when you purchase that "organic" or "humanely raised" product you will directly benefit from it's healthier traits. When the regular consumer purchases such a product with the literary background they are most likely being deceived by the word that once assured that they where getting a pure product, all one hundred procent of that product no additives. Now a days not even the organic foods are safe from the the claws of industry, poisening everything so it may last a few weeks longer or travel farther all for the purpose of one thing and it isnt the well being of the consumer.