The Botany of Desire Synopsis and Review
Is the Main Purpose of Nature to Serve Mankind?
Oct 30, 2009
On Wednesday, October 28th 2009, at 8pm, PBS aired Michael Pollan's documentary - The Botany of Desire based on Pollan's book of the same title. In this show he explains the strong relationship between man and nature and how each one contributes to a fruitful relationship in order to help one another survive.
Relationship Between Man and Nature
Botany of Desire gives us a completely different perspective about the relationship between man and nature. Pollan narrates the experience by giving nature many human like characteristics and letting the viewer see the world from the view point of nature, as opposed to vice versa. He explains that although man is the one who believes he is in control of supply and demand, nature is always in control.
Pollan's documentary includes subtopics such as sweetness, beauty, intoxication, control, as well as the dangers of monoculture. The examples of nature that he focuses on are apples, tulips, marijuana and potatoes. All of which have had a profound impact on not only North American culture, but other countries around the world.
Pollan explains how each one of these fruits of nature has certain qualities that satisfy or stimulate the human senses. Because of these traits, each has stood the test of time. He states that in order for a species to survive throughout history it needs to adapt, change form, have many desirable qualities about it, as well as be able to mutate into an entirely new species.
He also explains the dangers of monoculture, and how this can effect the overall health and sustainability of all plants and nature. By only favoring or growing one specific type of fruit or plant people are making it more vulnerable to a number of dangerous situations. The dangers of monoculture include, disease, and quite possibly the whole elimination of the species as a whole.
Recreating a Favorite Fruit and The Importance of Conservation
Pollan states that one way to preserve a certain type of fruit or plant is to use the genes of the favored plant. This is done by taking the core from a favored species of fruit, such as an apple, and attaching the core to the stem of another species of apple tree. By using this technique people are able to recreate the same exact species of favored fruit.
In order to emphasize the importance of conservation he suggests growing a number of different species of plants, fruits, and vegetables. This will help prevent the possible extinction of one particular species.
This show was very well narrated by Pollan and gives consumers a new perspective of nature and how man and nature come together to have a very special kind of relationship. This show is very entertaining for anyone who is a fan of nature. It would be especially helpful for anyone who may work with plants or in the agricultural industry.
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