Why Bother?

           Pollan’s article, “Why Bother?” is about how we can bring about change to our world through small steps that a single person can take. In his article, Pollan uses many examples of new and old ways for people to answer the “why bother” question. Old ways ranged from the World War II Victory Gardens that were set up to grow vegetables and other foods needed for the war effort. He believes that those who bother, will set an example for others to do the same thing.

           

In his essay, one paragraph described people making choices between driving an SUV or eating a 24 oz. steak or lighting the McMansion like an airport at night are considered to be outrageous to mankind and our materialistic lifestyle. People who decide to give up things like this and convince others to do the same, it can spread to even the highest levels of a nation and its government.

           

             I would love to agree with Pollan on his belief that one person making this change and convincing others to do so as well will lead to governments to make changes is very unlikely to happen. It would cost a lot of money and time, which we have a limited number of both until either the Third World War breaks out or we destroy out planet completely. The only thing we can do at this time is to do what we can to cut back where we can when we can and slow the inevitable doom that we have brought upon our world