The Evolution of Corn

80 million acres of corn grown throughout America, the largest crop in America.

The evolution and domestication of corn and how we have moved it all over the world to fit our needs. It is evident in our landscape, our diet, and even the US federal budget.

$190 billion dollar bill that Bush signed. This is a 10 year program that would pay farmers to grow a crop that costs more to grow than they can sell it for.

Corn has steadily taken over in the US, but unlike Mexico where it has been the norm for centuries Americans eat the processed form. Beef fed animals and corn sweeteners are just a couple of ways that we use corn that aren’t healthy for us or the environment.

Pollan’s argument is logically structured, which gives the reader a history of corn in America. This appeals to logos. He then goes on to appeal to pathos by delivering information related to our health and security. Overall this is a very effective campaign against the American usage of corn in our way of life.



One of my biggest concerns personally is the national debt, and the fact that we can’t seem to fix our budget problems. The fact that there is a $190 billion dollar program out there for growing more corn than we can possibly use is upsetting to say the least. On that point alone Pollan has convinced me that there is a serious corn problem.


As far as counterargument, Pollan leaves little room for a logical retort. The question remains, what are we going to do about it? He gives us a problem, but as usual does not offer a solution. The first part of the solution for me is to cut the $190 billion dollar program. Hopefully, with the shortage of corn that would follow, the high fructose corn syrup would work itself out.