Lopsided and a bit misdirected, but overall entertaining and informative. A big part of the fear affected reasoning of certain administrations over the decades nixons being the prime example was that marijuana became associated with the counter culture and antiwar movement and was making people question their government too much. It features michael pollan and is based on his book under the same name. An interesting book about the symbiosis between all living organism and how charles darwins evolutionary theory of natural selection is happening. That said, there is much to learn in reading the botany of desire bod, hereinafter. You might not think the story of a plant would be very compelling, but as our plaza branch baristas book club learned, pollan intrigues readers through careful management of historical facts, research, and personal anecdotes. He writes about how humans have affected the evolution of plants and in turn plants have affected our evolution as well. Sep 30, 2009 the plant has somehow taken advantage of the bees hunt for food to sexually reproduce. And like his later masterpieces, you cannot come away from it without some.
Oct 18, 2018 michael pollens most recent documentary, cooked, is about the restoration of values and connection that is found when we make our way back to the tradition of cooking. Each, by offering some quality that we humans find valuable, has managed to propagate itself throughout the world. The botany of desire, a free pbs documentary on the evolutionary relationship between humans and plants. Documentary on pollans the botany of desire sfgate. It is both highly informative and thoughtprovoking. The botany of desire topics for discussion michael pollan this study guide consists of approximately 41 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of the botany of desire. The botany of desire by michael pollan 1462 words 6 pages. The botany of desire michael pollan pbs 2009 domestication is a defining feature of recent human evolution.
York times magazine, where he is a regular contributor, and then in his books. It makes just as much sense to think of agriculture as something the grasses did to people as a way to conquer the trees, he writes. Watch botany of desire by pbs excellent free documentary. In his articles and in bestselling books such as the botany of desire, michael pollan has established himself as one of our most important and beloved writers on modern mans place in the natural world. Like the book, the pbs show is divided into four parts, one for each crop. Narrated by frances mcdormand, the program shows how four familiar species the apple, the tulip, marijuana and the potato evolved to satisfy our yearnings for. Billion dollar hippy broadly considered a brand that inspires fervor and defines. Pollan is also professor of journalism at the uc berkeley graduate school of journalism. What is pollans main point in chapter 2 of the botany of desire. This sounds, perhaps, like a dutch shopping list, but its really a quick index to the.
Pollan presents case studies that mirror four types of human desires that are reflected in the way that we selectively grow, breed, and genetically engineer our plants. The rest of book is good too, but does not discuss cider. A plantseye view of the world, asks the reader to stop considering only the human point of view of nature and to take the perspective of the plants themselves. This book argues that plants are actually the ones that use their powers to appeal to people and animals and spread their seeds. A plantseye view of the world is a 2001 nonfiction book by journalist. A new literary classic, second nature has become a manifesto not just for gardeners but for environmentalists everywhere. The bee collects nectar and pollen to make honey and, in the process, spreads the flowers genes far and wide. The botany of desire pdf summary michael pollan 12min blog.
Books and films the botany of desire pbs documentary. A plantseye view of the world by michael pollan introduces the possibility to the reader that plants are using insects, animals and humans to ensure their own survival. Apr 09, 2018 the botany of desire pdf summary by michael pollan tackles the history of plants and how they have used and continue using their powers to appeal to basic human desires, and as a result, reproduce and spread all around the world. Pollan sent him the manuscript for the botany of desire. Funny, interesting and as delicious as a slice of summer peach a must for people who like a good story. You may know him from his food writing books like the omnivores dilemma, the botany of desire, or cooked, which is also now a netflix show.
Sep 01, 2010 as part of my current obsession with plants, i watched the documentary the botany of desire. The others are in defense of food and the botany of desire. A new pbs documentary, the botany of desire, premieres wednesday night tonight. The botany of desire is a pbs documentary narrated by frances mcdormand, exploring the human relationship with the plant world, seen from the plants point of view. His latest focus, however, is something quite different still something consumable its psychedelic drugs. A plantseye view of the world is a 2001 nonfiction book by journalist michael pollan. A twohour pbs documentary based on the bestselling book by michael pollan, the botany of desire takes us on an eyeopening exploration of our relationship with the plant world seen from the plants point of view. I watched this on netflix and have not read the book. Not having read michael pollans book i wasnt sure what to expect, but i was expecting a lot because it. Apr, 2018 as an introduction, we viewed the pbs documentary, botany of desire based on the book by michael pollan, which explained that humans have historically been allured by and led to do some crazy things because of plants and their innovations. The 4 main organisms are apples, tulips, cannabis, and potatoes. Since each part of the documentary is radically different, i figure i will discuss the documentary in parts as well. As with the other chapters in this book, pollan uses history and descriptions of.
The botany of desire by michael pollan teachers guide. Featuring michael pollan and based on his bestselling book, this special takes viewers on. Frances mcdormand fargo narrates each unique segment, offering a plantseye view of botanical evolution. Based on michael pollans bestseller, this intriguing pbs documentary examines the ways that humans rely on and relate to four key plants. Oct 28, 2009 documentary on pollans the botany of desire. Based on michael pollans book of the same name, the botany of desire, airing tonight on pbs, looks at the ways in which plants have advanced their agenda, metaphorically speaking, by. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. May 08, 2001 the botany of desire is a book which presages two of pollans later books, the omnivores dilemma, and how to change your mind.
In the documentary botany of desire released in 2009, 4 main organisms are explained as contributing a different role to societies perception of desire when it comes to plants. For the botany of desire pbs television documentary guide, please. University of california television uctv 79,548 views. The stories of four specific examples of plants with powerful social influence were told, including the. The botany of desire is a book which presages two of pollans later books, the omnivores dilemma, and how to change your mind. Pbs will be airing a twohourlong documentary based on michael pollans excellent the botany of desire previously recommended here the tulip, by gratifying our desire for a certain kind of beauty, has gotten us to take it from its origins in central asia and disperse it around the world.
May 18, 2012 the botany of desire, a free pbs documentary on the evolutionary relationship between humans and plants. Potatoes web extra with michael pollan botany of desire pbs. The botany of desire a documentary on plant evolution and their relationships with the human species. Oct 25, 2011 michael pollan presented his lecture as the 20022003 avenali chair in the humanities at the townsend center for the humanities, uc berkeley. Sign me up to get more news about popular science books. That view of nature and humans role in it is refreshing to see represented. In the novel, the botany of desire, michael pollan tells the intriguing story of how plants are domesticated from the perspective of the plant with regards to four specific plants. Wttw 11 will be airing the botany of desire, a twohour documentary, based on the book by michael pollan on wednesday october 28, 2009. In the botany of desire, pollan asks one simple question that leads to an incredible new world view of plants. The botany of desire full length high definition youtube. Dilemma and watched the documentary series based on his book cooked.
A plantseye view of the world paperback may 28, 2002. Mar 08, 2011 has anyone used this bookmovie in class. In michael pollans the botany of desire, we get four stories. Ricki lake on new documentary weed the people the view duration. The botany of desire if anyone is interested in a decent story regarding johnny appleseed and ciderapples in america, the first chapter of michael pollans book the botany of desire is worth a read.
Shot in stunning high definition photography, the program begins with michael pollan in a california garden. What existential difference is there between the human beings role in this or any garden and the bumblebees. The botany of desire is a documentary based on the book by michael pollan. Essentially its about the relationship between humans and several plants whose traits are extremely desirable to humans. There is lots of great stuff on pbs but i was just wondering what else you might have done in class like webquests, discussion points, etc. A plantseye view of the world kindle edition by pollan, michael. Apr 07, 2015 the botany of desire is a documentary based on the book by michael pollan. Oct 14, 2009 pbs will be airing a twohourlong documentary based on michael pollans excellent the botany of desire previously recommended here the tulip, by gratifying our desire for a certain kind of beauty, has gotten us to take it from its origins in central asia and disperse it around the world.
Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Pollan a place of my own, 1997 uses four plant species to support his thesis. The four plants are apples, tulips, cannabis, and potatoes. Watch the botany of desire documentary, then read the book.
The botany of desire dvd,featuring michael pollan and based on his bestselling book, this special takes viewers on an eyeopening exploration of the human relationship with the plant world seen from the plants point of view. Pbs with michael pollan introduction summarize what michael pollan is talking about during the introduction. That view of nature and humans role in it is refreshing to. Rentals include 30 days to start watching this video and 48 hours to finish once started. The botany of desire examines this relationship by telling the stories of four plants that ensured their survival and expanded their habitat by satisfying our most basic yearnings. The apples colonization of the american frontier and its rise to prominence in modern times is inextricably linked to our innate craving for sweetness.
A fatal desire its one of the seven deadly sins, and it seems to be an. Featuring michael pollan and based on his bestselling book, this special takes viewers on an eyeopening. While they have different angles, they both look at our relationship with food namely plants and how we can. The botany of desire is a well made pbs documentary adaptation of michael pollans book discussing humanitys interactions with four different plantsthe apple, the potato, the tulip, and marijuanaover the ages.
The apple sweetness where is the native home of an apple tree. The secret life of plants it means even on the lower levels of life, there is a. I dont often get wrapped up so deeply in books, but this one grabbed me. Featured content includes commentary on major characters, 25 important quotes, essay topics, and key themes like the coevolution of plants and humans and the definition of beauty. The botany of desire, by michael pollan essay 946 words. One of my favorite nonfiction books, michael pollans botany of desire, has been made into a documentary that shows on opb tonight. Botany of desire has anyone used this bookmovie in class. Historically, most apples were not naturally sweet and. From the tomato, suspected of poisonous intentions to the tulip, creator of financial frenzy, on to marijuana and the political machinations that surround it, to the potato and the frightening effects of genetic manipulation, the botany of desire informs, illuminates, entertains and cautions us about plants and our relations with them. The botany of desire will teach readers about the power of plants, and make them look beyond their notions that plants are just passive, helpless objects that humans can use as they like. Oct 25, 2009 the documentarys producer and director, michael schwarz of kikim media, said he immediately saw the television potential when mr. The botany of desire examines this unique relationship through the stories of four familiar species, telling how each of them evolved to satisfy one o. Michael pollans 2001 nonfiction book, the botany of desire.
Include something about the desires of both plants and humans. Every schoolchild learns about the mutually beneficial dance of honeybees and flowers. It provides a synopsis of the film and offers discussion questions about each of its four chapters that. Reviews pollan shines a light on our own nature as well as our implication in the natural world. If you dont like this theme, this movie is not for you. Feb 16, 2010 as part of my current obsession with plants, i watched the documentary the botany of desire. Greenflix boasts the hot, newly released film the botany of desire. Viewers guide to this guide to the botany of desire, the pbs television documentary based on the book by michael pollan1, is designed to help viewers get the most from their viewing experience.
Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the botany of desire. The film takes viewers to the apple orchards of kazakhstan, the tulip markets of amsterdam and a medical marijuana hot house. A bit uneven in parts but it is a compelling concept. The botany of desire is obviously trying to entice people into watching a film about something that sends most people to. The apple, the tulip and marijuana are the stars of the film adaptation of journalist michael pollans bestselling book of the same name. A plantseye view of the world from the worlds largest community of readers. The botany of desire tv movie 2009 the botany of desire.
Domestication seems like something we have done to other species, but it makes just as. The botany of desire is an rewarding movie about how certain plants effect our lives and have evolved to better our lives through research and science. The botany of desire posted in the cider community. A plantseye view of the world, asks the reader to stop considering only the human point of view of nature and to take the perspective of the plants.
Oct 28, 2009 they are mirrors to human nature, and have evolved around us, and in doing so, have had us evolve around them. Michael pollens book the botany of desire is now a documentary produced by pbs. Producer and director of the botany of desire, michael schwarz has produced numerous documentary films and won several emmy awards for his work. The botany of desire, to be broadcast on wednesday on many public. The botany of desire quick facts on the botany of desire when looking for books about nutrition and eating, its hard not to stumble up michael pollans the omnivores dilemma and in defense of food. Plot summary michael pollans 2001 nonfiction book, the botany of desire. The botany of desire finds that plants are not as dumb as they look. Chan arts lecturer and professor of practice of nonfiction at harvard university. In 1985 henry hobhouse published an important and original piece of historical writing. Featuring michael pollan and based on his bestselling book, this special takes viewers on an eyeopening exploration of the human relationship with the plant world, seen from the plants point of.
The botany of desire travels to israel to visit raphael mechoulam, the scientist who discovered thc in the 1960s and who also, decades later, discovered that we humans manufacture our own thclike. Some fascinating historical and botanical facts that didnt make it into the documentary. The stories range from the true story of johnny appleseed to pollans firsthand research with sophisticated marijuana hybrids in. As an introduction, we viewed the pbs documentary, botany of desire based on the book by michael pollan, which explained that humans have historically been allured by and led to do some crazy things because of plants and their innovations. The botany of desire a documentary on plant evolution and. Botany of desire left me wanting more chicago garden. This guide to the botany of desire, the pbs television documentary based on the book by michael pollan 1, is designed to help viewers get the most. In animals first trait selected by humans was behavior. The botany of desire documentary, tonight at 8pm on pbs. Pollan cannabis research nonfiction books about cannabis sociology books botany book stubs agriculture stubs sociology book stubs. The botany of desire by michael schwarz michael schwarz. The botany of desire brings michael pollans bestselling book to pbs, showing how human desires are an essential, intricate part of natural history. Pollans first book to be adapted for television and, he says, his favorite of all his works.