maize

WEEK 2 Bread, Maize, Nanotechnology

        As a former Biology major student, I have lost my connection to the life science realm for nearly two years. Nevertheless, taking the course this week awakened my memory and knowledge of biology once again. After immersing myself in the art and cultural world for about two years, I now comprehend biology from perspectives that are more philosophical and artistic.

Week 2 Blog - Maize and agriculture industrialization

The lectures this week covered a wide variety of interesting subjects like microcopies, the power of 10, hexagons, carbon, flour, and wheat to name a few. However, while all very intriguing, what captured my interest the most was Alvaro Azcarraga’s presentation on maize. Thanks to all his fascinating research, I was hungry to know more. My interest in the presentation and this topic of maize was first cultivated by Michael Pollan.

Grain : Global Connectivity

In week 2, we discussed the different ways we are affected by the abundance or lack of grains. Most cultures are fully dependent on grains, from maíz in Mexico to wheat in Egypt. Gains have multiple functionalities, they feed individuals and they create communities by sharing these foods. In class, there was a discussion about how wheat has social implications meaning freedom and life, in Egypt, these implications have a more direct root coming from the word bread, which translates to life.

GRAIN | Triggering Memories/Culture with Grain

The top staple crops for most countries around the world include grains such as wheat or maize. Another top contender is rice, a grain that is deeply integrated in my culture and my life. I grew up eating rice in every meal in the Philippines and I continue this custom here in America. However, when I grew accustomed to the food culture in America, I realized how frequently the food culture romanticizes ingredients and staple crops.

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