Does eating Organic make you a jerk?

buckeye86

Eating organic is more of an indicator that you believe what the government is feeding you about "saving the planet". In other words, probably an Al Gore lover, a liberal and a democrat.

I am none of those things, but I often eat organic food and I'm also vegetarian. I guess it doesn't count because I don't necessarily seek it out.

pyrowill

Eating organic doesn't make you a jerk at all. Eating organic and being full of yourself for it does though.

bathsheba_c

Look, it's simple. Organic makes no difference for foods with short growing seasons, or with foods with inedible peels. Furthermore, because it's not regulated, there is nothing stopping an "organic" farm from labeling its products as organic, despite getting all the inorganic runoff from neighboring farms.

My experience is that organic is only really worthwhile for tree fruits (for taste reasons). I also prefer organic meat since the use of antibiotics in inorganic animal farming will one day allow the antibiotic-resistant bacteria to kill us all.

fontinathefox

As for veggies, I don't think it's worth the money, if you wash them before you eat them, who cares what fertiliser they had? :P and veggies don't get badly treated by their owners!

Thing is, it's not just about the pesticides affecting YOU. It's about how it affects the soil, the waterways around the farm, etc etc. I'd suggest reading the vegetable chapter in this book: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Not-On-Label-Really-Plate/dp/0141015667/ref=pd_sim_b_12

Elf_Princess1210

Only if you're militant about it and odds are the person was a jerk to begin with.

MissSpuggz

Interesting. I missed the "a" from the title so thought this was going to be an interesting debate :P

Anyway, the study consisted of 60 people, so what, 20 organic people? Hardly a good representative of every organic food eater. The statistics from the "study" could be due to many other unseen/unaccounted factors.

This isn't going to go down well with some people but in general my view:

- Organic food is more costly than the other food in the study. So, the people purchasing these foods are quite possibly in a different social group to those who purchase the cheap food (different social morales etc) which would explain the scores on the questions regarding what people expect from others.

- The study is based on people looking at pictures of food (I'm assuming it's a random sample of people) and yet the person who has done the study has come to the conclusion that people who EAT organic food have felt they have done a good deed. How would a person who looked at food feel they have done a good deed? They haven't purchased or consumed the food...

Studies are always full of flaws. Most studies are based on an idea or theory and they go out to prove that theory rather than trying to find a theory.

My conclusion: The Study proves nothing. In order to get a better idea you'd need to get samples of more people from different backgrounds who consume and purchase their own foods to get a better idea on if what food you eat determines your personality. ]

Ramble over

bathsheba_c

there is an organic beef processor in a local town. The animals are so thin. I feel really sad for them. They won't even give them medicine when they get sick. At this point who cares if it's organic or not. DOn't make the animals suffer just for more profit.

My understanding is that what that beef processor is doing is not typical. For one thing, organic rules allow the administration of antibiotics for sick animals. At least, that's what I learned reading an article about organic farmers who are annoyed by wannabe hippie college kids who intern on their farms over the summer.

waldo56

I'd rather be a jerk than eat pesticides. Call me Mr. Jerk.

You realize organic food uses organic pesticides, right?

shammxo

Eating organic doesn't make you a jerk.
If you can afford all organic food, go for it.

What makes you a jerk is sitting on your high horse about it and telling me that my food choices are wrong.

HauteP1nk

I thought doing studies on pointless topics makes you a jerk? lol

Matiara

Anyone who is obnoxious about their chosen diet and look down on others who don't eat like they do are jerks. There are innumerable posts on here from people of every dietary persuasion that are really self righteous. There's a difference between promoting something that works for you versus militancy. It's the militants who are jerks.

As for organic vs. non organic, I'm not picky. I buy whatever tastes the best to me and for that reason, I buy organic milk, leafy greens, and carrots because I *can* taste the difference. It's not psychological because then everything organic would taste "better" to me and that's not the case. My palate just picks up on those particular foods.

10acity

The vast majority of the bizarre, stupid, or random studies are done by people pursuing their PhD. They write their thesis on the study they do. Sure, some of the money to fund these studies comes from government grants, but they also come from charitable organizations that promote education.

Not to mention, studying things that seem ridiculous/unnecessary to some actually goes a long way toward innovation. I'm not arguing for this study in particular, but generally speaking...

19danno77

Please don't jump all over me but I believe there may be some truth to that. Not necessarily that eating organic makes you a jerk, but I think many people who are already jerks are drawn to eating organic, for little or no other reason than self-righteousness. It's really the thing I don't like about shopping at Whole Foods, where I usually encounter a nasty jerk or two. Having said that, I think there are many nice and thoughtful people, like myself and many of you, who eat organic because they understand the benefits, and as another commenter said, are lucky enough to afford it.

HAHAHA! Yeah, it's called being pious, holier-than-though, and you'll be followed by a cloud of foul-smelling smug. There's all sorts of causes of this: religion, politics, miles per gallon, reusable grocery totes, beer/wine/cheese snobbery, etc. There's all sorts of good things out there that are ruined by people who need to put themselves on pedestals.

unsuspectingfish

Look, it's simple. Organic makes no difference for foods with short growing seasons, or with foods with inedible peels. Furthermore, because it's not regulated, there is nothing stopping an "organic" farm from labeling its products as organic, despite getting all the inorganic runoff from neighboring farms.

My experience is that organic is only really worthwhile for tree fruits (for taste reasons). I also prefer organic meat since the use of antibiotics in inorganic animal farming will one day allow the antibiotic-resistant bacteria to kill us all.

It is regulated, actually. It's highly regulated by the USDA and some states even have separate regulatory standards. Processed foods can label themselves organic if they use mostly organic ingredients, otherwise they have to label them as "natural" (which doesn't necessarily mean that they are not organic, just that they have not been certified). I'm not sure about other crops, but I know that it takes tree fruit 3 years of organic growing to receive organic certification. It's also actually not that great for the trees or the soil, because of the limitations on nutrients that can be put back into the soil from any source other than fertilizer.

Railr0aderTony

Being a jerk makes you a jerk. Eating organic is unrelated.

Yes this, only there might be some connection as it seems more likely that people become jerks when they preach about eating organic.

jennkain97

Not even going to read that. Eating organic makes you lucky enough to be able to afford it and smart enough to know that less chemicals in your food is better for you.

I'm just lucky enough to be able to grow it. I couldn't afford to buy organic for five kids!!

katejenkins1

I read that on yahoo, the other day.

I love 1 study wonders... someone did a study about it, it must be true, unbias, and represent the larger whole of humanity, becuase its a study.
lol

tabulator32

Totally unrelated.

I was a jerk long before I started eating organic.

In fact, people tell me I have actually become nicer since I have been eating more natural, organic foods and lost weight.

Don't believe it, though...I'm think I'm still quite a bit of an *kitten*, even if I have less of one.

:bigsmile:

tabulator32

Are you saying organic farmers out in the country with their families who eat off the land are jerks?

Hmmm.

kayemme

Wow.. you have got to be kidding me. The things our tax money probaby go to that we have no idea about. Like why is a frog's skin bumpy and why does poop stink? Geez some people are idiots!!!

I'd much rather pay taxes to fund studies like these than fund unnecessary wars that benefit only consumerism and greed. That might be a jerky statement according to some. So be it.

kayemme

Being a jerk makes you a jerk. Eating organic is unrelated.

Yes this, only there might be some connection as it seems more likely that people become jerks when they preach about eating organic.

That's only a perception by those who want to continue living in a world that benefits the consumer. People wouldn't think it was jerky behavior unless they were feeling innately guilty over their participation.

unsuspectingfish

Being a jerk makes you a jerk. Eating organic is unrelated.

Yes this, only there might be some connection as it seems more likely that people become jerks when they preach about eating organic.

That's only a perception by those who want to continue living in a world that benefits the consumer. People wouldn't think it was jerky behavior unless they were feeling innately guilty over their participation.

Not everyone has a choice but to buy non-organic. Not all of us can afford organic. If it's between organic food that will feed you for a couple of days or non-organic food that will feed you for a week, some of us have no option but to choose the latter. We think it's jerky behavior because it reeks of classism and elitism. We're being called inferior because we're forced to be frugal.

crimsoncat

Does anybody know where to read the original full text for free?

I'm really curious about the study design and P values between the different groups. I also really want to know how they sorted people and how they got the volunteers in the first place (Did they get a good cross-section or did they pick people from one area). Being a science major, I've learned that not every study that goes into a journal is well done, and I really want to see how this one measures up to what I've been taught.

/end nerd moment/

kayemme

Yes, a study was done and probably paid for by our tax money...

http://todayhealth.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/18/11737146-does-organic-food-turn-people-into-jerks?lite?ocid=twitter

The study is just a study; my experience has proven exactly the opposite of this statement:

When it came to helping out a needy stranger, the organic people also proved to be more selfish, volunteering only 13 minutes as compared to 19 minutes (for controls) and 24 minutes (for comfort food folks).

The issue is cross-culturing in that people who frequently visit farmer's markets, CSAs or grow their own food typically bring their own bags without being asked; it's is part of our culture. In fact, my experience is that I get a lot of snotty looks from shoppers at the supermarket when I bring my own bags. The shoe fits on both feet, you know?

I try to be compassionate about it: ignorance is simply ignorance and all we can do is accept it as that while continuing to do what we do because we believe in it, not because somebody told us it was "the right" thing to do. When I get the consumer stinkeye, I try not to become offended. A "Forgive them Father," kind of thing.

The article and study seem biased from an ignorant perspective; if it weren't trying to set up a divide between groups by isolating unpleasant experiences, it could possibly be beneficial!

kayemme

That's only a perception by those who want to continue living in a world that benefits the consumer. People wouldn't think it was jerky behavior unless they were feeling innately guilty over their participation.

---

Not everyone has a choice but to buy non-organic. Not all of us can afford organic. If it's between organic food that will feed you for a couple of days or non-organic food that will feed you for a week, some of us have no option but to choose the latter. We think it's jerky behavior because it reeks of classism and elitism. We're being called inferior because we're forced to be frugal.

well, to be fair: most people who say they can't afford organic also drive cars and have cable television.

it's not important to buy organic all the time. for example, if it is a choice between a $1 hamburger or a half pound of non-organic broccoli, the choice is clear! people say a lot of things that are misguided by their own egos. everyone can afford to eat well, and by eating well, they provide the farmers with the opportunity to feed more people well. it's really very simple. we vote with every dollar we spend, so it's important to spend it wisely. those who can afford to buy organic, should, because even if the organic label is misleading, it still sends a message that there is a demand for it.

but i'm not a hater. i'm just saying that the guilt-complex is the reactive force. people know they can eat better and then blame politics when they "can't".

there are valid cases where real food (organic or not) simply is not available (food deserts) and that is a different conversation completely. because the topic is so broad, we have to break it down into parts first and address problems individually.

thanks for listening / reading

edit: oh, and I'm probably about as frugal as a person can get.

iceqieen

"There's a line of research showing that when people can pat themselves on the back for their moral behavior, they can become self-righteous,"

So.. doing something that makes you believe yourself better than others will bring in your inner jerk. actually sounds legit.:laugh:

kayemme

People that eat organic do it for the status. There is absolutely no difference between organic and Conventional crops and food. Except maybe the organic has more e-coli. I wish people that were passionate about Organic foods would go out and actually see how they grow organic foods. Opened my eyes for sure.

I don't agree with the 'no difference' part but I absolutely agree that if more people saw what is considered 'organic' farming they would be surprised to find it remarkably similar to non-organic. Similar enough that the price tag for organic food isn't always justified.

I agree with this in the context of corporate farming methods. That's why not everything is so important to buy organically (apples: yes; onions, not so much; blueberries: almost irrelevant).

But small farms that focus on permaculture methods is a completely different subject. The process is almost the opposite of agribusiness. I don't buy "organic" labeling, I buy organic practice. And I practice it myself!

unsuspectingfish

That's only a perception by those who want to continue living in a world that benefits the consumer. People wouldn't think it was jerky behavior unless they were feeling innately guilty over their participation.

---

Not everyone has a choice but to buy non-organic. Not all of us can afford organic. If it's between organic food that will feed you for a couple of days or non-organic food that will feed you for a week, some of us have no option but to choose the latter. We think it's jerky behavior because it reeks of classism and elitism. We're being called inferior because we're forced to be frugal.

well, to be fair: most people who say they can't afford organic also drive cars and have cable television.

it's not important to buy organic all the time. for example, if it is a choice between a $1 hamburger or a half pound of non-organic broccoli, the choice is clear! people say a lot of things that are misguided by their own egos. everyone can afford to eat well, and by eating well, they provide the farmers with the opportunity to feed more people well. it's really very simple. we vote with every dollar we spend, so it's important to spend it wisely. those who can afford to buy organic, should, because even if the organic label is misleading, it still sends a message that there is a demand for it.

but i'm not a hater. i'm just saying that the guilt-complex is the reactive force. people know they can eat better and then blame politics when they "can't".

there are valid cases where real food (organic or not) simply is not available (food deserts) and that is a different conversation completely. because the topic is so broad, we have to break it down into parts first and address problems individually.

thanks for listening / reading

edit: oh, and I'm probably about as frugal as a person can get.

I really doubt it's "most people". I own neither and often have to buy non-organic fruits and vegetables because they are usually significantly cheaper per pound. Also, there are a lot of people who need a car in order to make a living. I happen to live in one of the top cities in the country for public transportation. Not everyone is so lucky, nor is everyone lucky enough to live within walking distance of work or stores.

Oh, and frugal is different than broke. There are times when I can't spend more than $5 a day or I'll run out of money for necessary stuff, like bus fare, before my next check.

kayemme

That's only a perception by those who want to continue living in a world that benefits the consumer. People wouldn't think it was jerky behavior unless they were feeling innately guilty over their participation.

---

Not everyone has a choice but to buy non-organic. Not all of us can afford organic. If it's between organic food that will feed you for a couple of days or non-organic food that will feed you for a week, some of us have no option but to choose the latter. We think it's jerky behavior because it reeks of classism and elitism. We're being called inferior because we're forced to be frugal.

well, to be fair: most people who say they can't afford organic also drive cars and have cable television.

it's not important to buy organic all the time. for example, if it is a choice between a $1 hamburger or a half pound of non-organic broccoli, the choice is clear! people say a lot of things that are misguided by their own egos. everyone can afford to eat well, and by eating well, they provide the farmers with the opportunity to feed more people well. it's really very simple. we vote with every dollar we spend, so it's important to spend it wisely. those who can afford to buy organic, should, because even if the organic label is misleading, it still sends a message that there is a demand for it.

but i'm not a hater. i'm just saying that the guilt-complex is the reactive force. people know they can eat better and then blame politics when they "can't".

there are valid cases where real food (organic or not) simply is not available (food deserts) and that is a different conversation completely. because the topic is so broad, we have to break it down into parts first and address problems individually.

thanks for listening / reading

edit: oh, and I'm probably about as frugal as a person can get.

I really doubt it's "most people". I own neither and often have to buy non-organic fruits and vegetables because they are usually significantly cheaper per pound. Also, there are a lot of people who need a car in order to make a living. I happen to live in one of the top cities in the country for public transportation. Not everyone is so lucky, nor is everyone lucky enough to live within walking distance of work or stores.

Oh, and frugal is different than broke. There are times when I can't spend more than $5 a day or I'll run out of money for necessary stuff, like bus fare, before my next check.

there are valid cases where real food (organic or not) simply is not available (food deserts) and that is a different conversation completely. because the topic is so broad, we have to break it down into parts first and address problems individually.

hallie_b

I just saw some jerks in a McDonald's parking lot....so I'm going to agree with "being a jerk makes you a jerk".