<![CDATA[Comments on: Organic Food]]> 2010-07-05 18:00:00 <![CDATA[By: pretzellogic]]> Casual glances and unfamiliarity with the characters (until now) meant that I likely haven't yet come across organic vegetables in the local supermarket on the local street market.  I'll have to keep looking.

]]> Casual glances and unfamiliarity with the characters (until now) meant that I likely haven't yet come across organic vegetables in the local supermarket on the local street market.  I'll have to keep looking.

]]> <![CDATA[By: John]]> What city are you in?

]]> What city are you in?

]]> <![CDATA[By: pretzellogic]]>

Beijing. But like I said, it may be that I didn't realize I was looking at organic labeling.

]]>

Beijing. But like I said, it may be that I didn't realize I was looking at organic labeling.

]]> <![CDATA[By: aipeili]]> Great lesson! It seems that pronouns like "I" and "we" are often implied in Chinese but not said. There are several examples in this lesson. Are there any guidelines to know how and when to omit them? Maybe I missed a lesson about this?

]]> Great lesson! It seems that pronouns like "I" and "we" are often implied in Chinese but not said. There are several examples in this lesson. Are there any guidelines to know how and when to omit them? Maybe I missed a lesson about this?

]]> <![CDATA[By: Tal]]> 他肯定去农村搞有机农业了，对吧？

]]> 他肯定去农村搞有机农业了，对吧？

]]> <![CDATA[By: bababardwan]]> tal,

When I heard this lesson announced on N&F on Sunday I thought exactly the same thing. I was hoping for a guest appearance.

]]> tal,

When I heard this lesson announced on N&F on Sunday I thought exactly the same thing. I was hoping for a guest appearance.

]]> <![CDATA[By: fourmoredays2010]]> Can anyone provide an etymology for why 有机 uses the same character as 手机 and 机会？

]]> Can anyone provide an etymology for why 有机 uses the same character as 手机 and 机会？

]]> <![CDATA[By: euphonies]]> Thanks fourmoredays2010! I was wondering the exact same thing when Jenny mentioned 有机 的 机 being the same as in 机会.

]]> Thanks fourmoredays2010! I was wondering the exact same thing when Jenny mentioned 有机 的 机 being the same as in 机会.

]]> <![CDATA[By: pilsner]]> 在臺灣有機產品非常受歡迎. 我覺得有一點貴, 但是比上海沒有那麼貴. 一棵菜一塊美金.

]]> 在臺灣有機產品非常受歡迎. 我覺得有一點貴, 但是比上海沒有那麼貴. 一棵菜一塊美金.

]]> <![CDATA[By: Tal]]> The Elvis that men do lives on after them, the good is oft interred with their bones.

Rock On, Pete.

]]> The Elvis that men do lives on after them, the good is oft interred with their bones.

Rock On, Pete.

]]> <![CDATA[By: jennyzhu]]> Is organic food more moderately priced in the States?

]]> Is organic food more moderately priced in the States?

]]> <![CDATA[By: changye]]> The character “机” indicates “生物机能” (vital function) here, although the word “有机” doesn't properly represent the meaning "organic" of today.

]]> The character “机” indicates “生物机能” (vital function) here, although the word “有机” doesn't properly represent the meaning "organic" of today.

]]> <![CDATA[By: pilsner]]> 比亞洲便宜, 可是很多普通家庭還買不起. 尤其是因為最近美國經濟越來越糟糕.

聽說為蘋果和梨子, 人一定應該買有機, 因為那種水果吸收很多農藥.

大部分的時候我還覺得划不來..... according to an American Journal of Clinical Nutrition study, there is no difference in most nutrients between organically or conventionally grown crops, including in vitamin C, calcium, and iron.

]]> 比亞洲便宜, 可是很多普通家庭還買不起. 尤其是因為最近美國經濟越來越糟糕.

聽說為蘋果和梨子, 人一定應該買有機, 因為那種水果吸收很多農藥.

大部分的時候我還覺得划不來..... according to an American Journal of Clinical Nutrition study, there is no difference in most nutrients between organically or conventionally grown crops, including in vitamin C, calcium, and iron.

]]> <![CDATA[By: frances]]> A lot of studies have shown the organic food has many more nutrients, and quite a few have shown that they don't. It seems to me that the studies tend to show what the researchers want them to show. In truth, I think the nutrient levels of the vegetables depend most on the health of the soil. Organic agriculture doesn't necessarily mean that the soil is rich in nutrients, so technically the organic produce doesn't have to have more nutrients. In practice, organic farming practices are more likely to produce healthier soil and therefore healthier vegetables.

]]> A lot of studies have shown the organic food has many more nutrients, and quite a few have shown that they don't. It seems to me that the studies tend to show what the researchers want them to show. In truth, I think the nutrient levels of the vegetables depend most on the health of the soil. Organic agriculture doesn't necessarily mean that the soil is rich in nutrients, so technically the organic produce doesn't have to have more nutrients. In practice, organic farming practices are more likely to produce healthier soil and therefore healthier vegetables.

]]> <![CDATA[By: orangina]]> Well, the same is true in English. All food is organic, in that it is carbon based. But is is so much more convenient to say "organic" than to say "food grown without artificial pesticides and fertilizers."

Thanks fourmoredays2010, I was wondering the same thing.

]]> Well, the same is true in English. All food is organic, in that it is carbon based. But is is so much more convenient to say "organic" than to say "food grown without artificial pesticides and fertilizers."

Thanks fourmoredays2010, I was wondering the same thing.

]]> <![CDATA[By: lujiaojie]]> 1 machine；engine

机器 jīqì

2 crucial point；pivot；key link

转机 zhuǎnjī favourable turn；a turn for the better

3 chance；occasion；opportunity

机会 jīhuì

4 organic

有机 yǒujī here 机 means "vital functions"

organism 有机体 yǒujītǐ

]]> 1 machine；engine

机器 jīqì

2 crucial point；pivot；key link

转机 zhuǎnjī favourable turn；a turn for the better

3 chance；occasion；opportunity

机会 jīhuì

4 organic

有机 yǒujī here 机 means "vital functions"

organism 有机体 yǒujītǐ

]]> <![CDATA[By: kimiik]]> I agree about the word "organic" but I think "artificial" is also not specific enough, you should maybe use "synthetic" : 合成的药

"food grown without synthetic pesticides and fertilizers."

]]> I agree about the word "organic" but I think "artificial" is also not specific enough, you should maybe use "synthetic" : 合成的药

"food grown without synthetic pesticides and fertilizers."

]]> <![CDATA[By: orangina]]> I knew "artificial" wasn't what I was looking for, but was too lazy to think of "synthetic." I think you are right.

]]> I knew "artificial" wasn't what I was looking for, but was too lazy to think of "synthetic." I think you are right.

]]> <![CDATA[By: bababardwan]]> Occasionally a word will turn up in the vocab tab that really surprises me. This lesson is a case in point. 是genuinely seems like a newbie word to me.Now of course it's no big deal ,but the reason I raise this is because it makes me curious. I can't help but wonder what CPod are thinking here. Is there some point I'm missing? My best guess is that perhaps it's for folk who have some background in learning Chinese but it's been quite a while since they've practiced it at all [maybe several years ] and need a lot of brushing up but don't want to start at newbie level all over again. They can cope with intermediate because it all comes back quickly. Is this the thinking, or is there some other reason?

Another guess. The vocab tab has several other shi words and I guess there are folk who can speak the language but can't read it and it's to show that this shi is a different shi character to the rest of the vocab. I s'pose this last guess is perhaps more likely,but I'd really love to know.

]]> Occasionally a word will turn up in the vocab tab that really surprises me. This lesson is a case in point. 是genuinely seems like a newbie word to me.Now of course it's no big deal ,but the reason I raise this is because it makes me curious. I can't help but wonder what CPod are thinking here. Is there some point I'm missing? My best guess is that perhaps it's for folk who have some background in learning Chinese but it's been quite a while since they've practiced it at all [maybe several years ] and need a lot of brushing up but don't want to start at newbie level all over again. They can cope with intermediate because it all comes back quickly. Is this the thinking, or is there some other reason?

Another guess. The vocab tab has several other shi words and I guess there are folk who can speak the language but can't read it and it's to show that this shi is a different shi character to the rest of the vocab. I s'pose this last guess is perhaps more likely,but I'd really love to know.

]]> <![CDATA[By: munson]]> The thing that I notice about organic versus "conventional" vegetables and fruits is taste. Organic produce is tastier. In addition, the lack of pesticides and herbicides in organically grown produce should not be overlooked. Along with fertilizers, those affect water quality and the food chain very negatively. But selfish creatures that we are, the important thing to keep in mind is TASTE!

]]> The thing that I notice about organic versus "conventional" vegetables and fruits is taste. Organic produce is tastier. In addition, the lack of pesticides and herbicides in organically grown produce should not be overlooked. Along with fertilizers, those affect water quality and the food chain very negatively. But selfish creatures that we are, the important thing to keep in mind is TASTE!

]]> <![CDATA[By: JasonSch]]> It's definitely a Newbie word all by itself. (if 是 isn't, then what is?!) But, I think it's in the vocab because of the construction it's found in in this lesson: 贵是贵了. There's expansion sentences there using this as well. Granted, when a construction is included in the vocab like this though, usually it's made clear with (...) or some other sort of marker. (i.e., 一...就..., etc)

]]> It's definitely a Newbie word all by itself. (if 是 isn't, then what is?!) But, I think it's in the vocab because of the construction it's found in in this lesson: 贵是贵了. There's expansion sentences there using this as well. Granted, when a construction is included in the vocab like this though, usually it's made clear with (...) or some other sort of marker. (i.e., 一...就..., etc)

]]> <![CDATA[By: bababardwan]]> thanks Jason. Yeah , I thought of the construction but I dismissed that because as you say it's usually indicated [but obviously you're right and certainly the construction ....shi.... is fitting for intermediate]. I do love this construction, I must say. I've come across it before ,but it's still neat. Had to laugh at Jenny's example too. :)

]]> thanks Jason. Yeah , I thought of the construction but I dismissed that because as you say it's usually indicated [but obviously you're right and certainly the construction ....shi.... is fitting for intermediate]. I do love this construction, I must say. I've come across it before ,but it's still neat. Had to laugh at Jenny's example too. :)

]]> <![CDATA[By: zhenlijiang]]> There are two 是 grammar points in this lesson, the 是~的 and 贵是贵了constructions (it's been given the grammar tag 是). But yeah it seems strange for it to appear in the key vocab like that isn't it.

]]> There are two 是 grammar points in this lesson, the 是~的 and 贵是贵了constructions (it's been given the grammar tag 是). But yeah it seems strange for it to appear in the key vocab like that isn't it.

]]> <![CDATA[By: bill]]> Generally, it's more expensive, but this is less and less true. Here in the Palo Alto area we have weekly farmers' markets for locally grown organic produce, and fish caught off of the nearby coastline. This is usually quite reasonably priced, and one can bargain a little.

We exclusively eat organically grown, local produce and never eat farm raised fish.

]]> Generally, it's more expensive, but this is less and less true. Here in the Palo Alto area we have weekly farmers' markets for locally grown organic produce, and fish caught off of the nearby coastline. This is usually quite reasonably priced, and one can bargain a little.

We exclusively eat organically grown, local produce and never eat farm raised fish.

]]> <![CDATA[By: masterkrang]]> i would say in metro areas it's pretty convenient to buy organic, and you'll see the price differences not being so large. currently i'm staying in portland and i eat organic food everyday, it's really convenient to find organic food in grocery stores and in many restaurants. however, in my home town, which is a little beach town in california, though you can find farmers markets, there aren't many official organic stores. what you'll see in these smaller town is that the main grocery stores (Vons, Albertsons, Safeway) have started to introduce more and more organic goods based on demand.

]]> i would say in metro areas it's pretty convenient to buy organic, and you'll see the price differences not being so large. currently i'm staying in portland and i eat organic food everyday, it's really convenient to find organic food in grocery stores and in many restaurants. however, in my home town, which is a little beach town in california, though you can find farmers markets, there aren't many official organic stores. what you'll see in these smaller town is that the main grocery stores (Vons, Albertsons, Safeway) have started to introduce more and more organic goods based on demand.

]]> <![CDATA[By: masterkrang]]> i hadn't heard this construction before and was pretty glad to hear it. of course, constructions are always like that, they sort of fool you into thinking it's simple, but in the end they are just simple things combined to create whole new meanings... reminds me of when i first heard 不是...而是...

]]> i hadn't heard this construction before and was pretty glad to hear it. of course, constructions are always like that, they sort of fool you into thinking it's simple, but in the end they are just simple things combined to create whole new meanings... reminds me of when i first heard 不是...而是...

]]> <![CDATA[By: masterkrang]]> one thing i read recently was discussing the differences in standards between china organic and american organic. apparently a lot of companies who were purchasing organic good from chinese companies decided to stop purchasing the chinese goods because they didn't meet american standards. 

this happens with a lot of goods that are imported into the u.s. from china, and usually the way we solve it here is to rework the products to meet the standards here. the problem is that you can't rework produce to meet standards, so they stop buying some of it. 

i'm not sure how valid that is, and not to diss china, but i wouldn't be surprised if their standard for organic foods are lower. i also wonder how much of the produce sold on the street side in china is organic? is it grown buy the guy who sells it, or did he buy from somebody else just to try to turn it around on the street?

]]> one thing i read recently was discussing the differences in standards between china organic and american organic. apparently a lot of companies who were purchasing organic good from chinese companies decided to stop purchasing the chinese goods because they didn't meet american standards. 

this happens with a lot of goods that are imported into the u.s. from china, and usually the way we solve it here is to rework the products to meet the standards here. the problem is that you can't rework produce to meet standards, so they stop buying some of it. 

i'm not sure how valid that is, and not to diss china, but i wouldn't be surprised if their standard for organic foods are lower. i also wonder how much of the produce sold on the street side in china is organic? is it grown buy the guy who sells it, or did he buy from somebody else just to try to turn it around on the street?

]]> <![CDATA[By: masterkrang]]> i've noticed some produce is imported to the states from Japan with the chinese characters 有机农 printed on it. i'm assuming that means something like "organic farm", maybe it's a name of a company, not an actual word.

]]> i've noticed some produce is imported to the states from Japan with the chinese characters 有机农 printed on it. i'm assuming that means something like "organic farm", maybe it's a name of a company, not an actual word.

]]> <![CDATA[By: masterkrang]]> actually when we say "organic" in english, it refers to "organic farming" which really connotes a process and set of standards... point being that not all food is "organic" because it does not follow this process and set of standards. i think it should be generally thought of in this way unless the discussion is really scientific, like, organic / carbon based life based on other planets. i know a lot of people like to learn english here, and being that the word "organic" is super confusing even to us english speakers, i figure it might do some service to simplify a bit.

]]> actually when we say "organic" in english, it refers to "organic farming" which really connotes a process and set of standards... point being that not all food is "organic" because it does not follow this process and set of standards. i think it should be generally thought of in this way unless the discussion is really scientific, like, organic / carbon based life based on other planets. i know a lot of people like to learn english here, and being that the word "organic" is super confusing even to us english speakers, i figure it might do some service to simplify a bit.

]]> <![CDATA[By: bababardwan]]> masterkrang,

I agree ,and as I said above I certainly thought the construction was very apt for intermediate where it was well explained.

]]> masterkrang,

I agree ,and as I said above I certainly thought the construction was very apt for intermediate where it was well explained.

]]> <![CDATA[By: maktubhelou]]> Brilliant! Is it just me or is ChinesePod entertaining its "granola" side a little more lately? Fantastic lesson. Useful dialogue sprinkled with a few words to expand our vocabulary into more difficult areas (i.e. environment). To me, this is what an intermediate lesson should be.

I'm wondering, do Chinese people generally think that the food grown in China is healthy for you? There seems to be a misconception - shared by a surprising amount of people - that all food grown here in Korea is by default better than American grown food. I suppose, there could be some truth in that, but a pesticide is a pesticide. The Organic Food movement has only recently begun to take off which is a little surprising. It seems to me that the delay is because of this "false sense of security."

]]> Brilliant! Is it just me or is ChinesePod entertaining its "granola" side a little more lately? Fantastic lesson. Useful dialogue sprinkled with a few words to expand our vocabulary into more difficult areas (i.e. environment). To me, this is what an intermediate lesson should be.

I'm wondering, do Chinese people generally think that the food grown in China is healthy for you? There seems to be a misconception - shared by a surprising amount of people - that all food grown here in Korea is by default better than American grown food. I suppose, there could be some truth in that, but a pesticide is a pesticide. The Organic Food movement has only recently begun to take off which is a little surprising. It seems to me that the delay is because of this "false sense of security."

]]> <![CDATA[By: bababardwan]]> love this word 口感...feeling what sensations you get from the food in your mouth. Yeah,enjoying food is about more than the flavour;it's a whole sensory experience. I think texture is such an important part.

other contendors for word of the lesson were 农药 and 据说 [I've seen this one on the boards quite a bit]...it reminds me of something Confucius or someone wise would say making a proclamation. Does it turn up in the analects btw? I know in English it is common in the analects to see something like "the master said".

]]> love this word 口感...feeling what sensations you get from the food in your mouth. Yeah,enjoying food is about more than the flavour;it's a whole sensory experience. I think texture is such an important part.

other contendors for word of the lesson were 农药 and 据说 [I've seen this one on the boards quite a bit]...it reminds me of something Confucius or someone wise would say making a proclamation. Does it turn up in the analects btw? I know in English it is common in the analects to see something like "the master said".

]]> <![CDATA[By: bababardwan]]> Until a better answer comes along I'll give you my take on it. I think it's just a case of when context makes it clear who is being referred to it can be omitted.

]]> Until a better answer comes along I'll give you my take on it. I think it's just a case of when context makes it clear who is being referred to it can be omitted.

]]> <![CDATA[By: aipeili]]> Thanks for the tip.

]]> Thanks for the tip.

]]> <![CDATA[By: bababardwan]]> the way I see it, there are fundamental/basic/original meanings to words and then they are applied in new situations/adapted to take on new/extra meanings. I guess I think of organic in the same way as orangina in it's most fundamental meaning,but you are right, in that nowadays it is probably more commonly applied in the sense you refer to [the sense it is used in this lesson] outside of a scientific type discussion. I don't however think that discussing the original meaning of the word makes it confusing. I think it's helpful to know what the word basically means and then see how and why it's been applied. Of course it's word origin is a combination of "organ"+"ic"...having the characteristics of organs...which basically refers to having the characteristics found in living tissues.

]]> the way I see it, there are fundamental/basic/original meanings to words and then they are applied in new situations/adapted to take on new/extra meanings. I guess I think of organic in the same way as orangina in it's most fundamental meaning,but you are right, in that nowadays it is probably more commonly applied in the sense you refer to [the sense it is used in this lesson] outside of a scientific type discussion. I don't however think that discussing the original meaning of the word makes it confusing. I think it's helpful to know what the word basically means and then see how and why it's been applied. Of course it's word origin is a combination of "organ"+"ic"...having the characteristics of organs...which basically refers to having the characteristics found in living tissues.

]]> <![CDATA[By: bababardwan]]> Excellent point and something I　ｗａｓ　ｗｏｎｄｅｒｉｎｇ　ａｂｏｕｔ．　Ｗｈａｔ　ａｒｅ　ｔｈｅ　ｓｔａｎｄａｒｄｓ？　ｗｈｏ　ｃｅｒｔｉｆｉｅｓ　ｔｈｅ　ｐｒｏｄｕｃｅ　ａｓ　ｏｒｇａｎｉｃ？　Ｗｈａｔ　ｓｃｒｕｔｉｎｙ　ｉｓ　ｔｈｅｒｅ？　Ｗｈａｔ＇ｓ　ｔｏ　ｓｔｏｐ　ｐｅｏｐｌｅ　ｃｌａｉｍｉｎｇ　ｔｈｅ　ｐｒｏｄｕｃｅ　ｉｓ　ｏｒｇａｎｉｃ　ａｎｄ　ｂｕｍｐ　ｕｐ　ｔｈｅ　ｐｒｉｃｅ　ｗｉｔｈｏｕｔ　ｈａｖｉｎｇ　ｅｍｐｌｏｙｅｄ　ａｎｙ　ｏｒｇａｎｉｃ　ｐｒａｃｔｉｃｅｓ？　Ｉｎ　ｓｈｏｒｔ，ｈｏｗ　ｒｅｌｉａｂｌｅ　ｉｓ　ｉｔ　ｔｈａｔ　ｙｏｕ　ａｒｅ　ｂｕｙｉｎｇ　ｔｒｕｅ　ｏｒｇａｎｉｃ？

]]> Excellent point and something I　ｗａｓ　ｗｏｎｄｅｒｉｎｇ　ａｂｏｕｔ．　Ｗｈａｔ　ａｒｅ　ｔｈｅ　ｓｔａｎｄａｒｄｓ？　ｗｈｏ　ｃｅｒｔｉｆｉｅｓ　ｔｈｅ　ｐｒｏｄｕｃｅ　ａｓ　ｏｒｇａｎｉｃ？　Ｗｈａｔ　ｓｃｒｕｔｉｎｙ　ｉｓ　ｔｈｅｒｅ？　Ｗｈａｔ＇ｓ　ｔｏ　ｓｔｏｐ　ｐｅｏｐｌｅ　ｃｌａｉｍｉｎｇ　ｔｈｅ　ｐｒｏｄｕｃｅ　ｉｓ　ｏｒｇａｎｉｃ　ａｎｄ　ｂｕｍｐ　ｕｐ　ｔｈｅ　ｐｒｉｃｅ　ｗｉｔｈｏｕｔ　ｈａｖｉｎｇ　ｅｍｐｌｏｙｅｄ　ａｎｙ　ｏｒｇａｎｉｃ　ｐｒａｃｔｉｃｅｓ？　Ｉｎ　ｓｈｏｒｔ，ｈｏｗ　ｒｅｌｉａｂｌｅ　ｉｓ　ｉｔ　ｔｈａｔ　ｙｏｕ　ａｒｅ　ｂｕｙｉｎｇ　ｔｒｕｅ　ｏｒｇａｎｉｃ？

]]> <![CDATA[By: osyrisdc]]> To add on to bababardwan's comments and to summarize previous, the term "organic" in the american-english language is used in two separate communities in different ways. The scientific community uses the term to express association with compounds that are associated with living things (autonomous organisms). The mass public use the term in association with a standard for foods. This term is applicable to all food groups. The definition of the standard is that the food was developed without the use or incorporation of synthetic compounds such as anti-biotics, pesticides and the like.

]]> To add on to bababardwan's comments and to summarize previous, the term "organic" in the american-english language is used in two separate communities in different ways. The scientific community uses the term to express association with compounds that are associated with living things (autonomous organisms). The mass public use the term in association with a standard for foods. This term is applicable to all food groups. The definition of the standard is that the food was developed without the use or incorporation of synthetic compounds such as anti-biotics, pesticides and the like.

]]> <![CDATA[By: bababardwan]]> ｊｕｓｔ　ｔｏ　ａｄｄ　ａ　ｌｉｔｔｌｅ　ｏｎ　ｔｈｅ　ｗｏｒｄ　ｏｒｇａｎｉｃ．Ｉ　ｇｕｅｓｓ　ｗｅ　ｈａｄ　ｔｈｉｓ　ｏｒｉｇｉｎａｌ　ｍｅａｎｉｎｇ　ｏｆ　＂ｈａｖｉｎｇ　ｔｈｅ　ｃｈａｒａｃｔｅｒｉｓｔｉｃｓ　ｏｆ　ｏｒｇａｎｓ＂．．．ａｎｄ　ｔｈｅｎ　ｙｏｕ　ｈａｖｅ　ｔｏ　ｄｅｃｉｄｅ　ｗｈａｔ　ａｒｅ　ｔｈｏｓｅ　ｃｈａｒａｃｔｅｒｉｓｔｉｃｓ．Ｗｈａｔ　ａｒｅ　ｔｈｅ　ｔｈｉｎｇｓ　ｔｈａｔ　ｄｅｆｉｎｅ　ｌｉｖｉｎｇ　ｏｒｇａｎｉｓｍｓ？　Ｉｓ　ｉｔ　ｍｏｖｅｍｅｎｔ？．．．ｎｏ．．ｒｏｂｏｔｓ　ｍｏｖｅ　ａｎｄ　ｔｒｅｅｓ　ｄｏｎ＇ｔ．Ｉｓ　ｉｔ　ｇｒｏｗｔｈ？　Ｉｓ　ｉｔ　ｒｅｐｒｏｄｕｃｔｉｏｎ？　Ｍａｎｙ　ａｔｔｅｍｐｔｓ　ｔｏ　ｄｅｆｉｎｅ　ｕｓｕａｌｌｙ　ａｒｅ　ｐｒｏｂｌｅｍａｔｉｃ　ａｎｄ　ｈａｖｅ　ｅｘｃｅｐｔｉｏｎｓ．　Ｉｔ　ｗａｓ　ｄｉｓｃｏｖｅｒｅｄ　ｔｈａｔ　ｔｈｅ　ｔｈｉｎｇ　ｔｈａｔ　ｌｉｖｉｎｇ　ｏｒｇａｎｉｓｍｓ　ｈａｄ　ｉｎ　ｃｏｍｍｏｎ　ｗａｓ　ｔｈａｔ　ｔｈｅｙ　ａｌｌ　ｃｏｎｔａｉｎｅｄ　ｃｅｒｔａｉｎ　ｃａｒｂｏｎ　ｂａｓｅｄ　ｃｏｍｐｏｕｎｄｓ　ａｎｄ　ｔｈｉｓ　ｂｅｃａｍｅ　ｔｈｅ　ｅａｓｉｅｓｔ　ａｎｄ　ｃｌｅａｒｅｓｔ　ｗａｙ　ｂａｓｅ　ａ　ｄｅｆｉｎｉｔｉｏｎ　ｏｆ　ｏｒｇａｎｉｃ　ｏｎ．

]]> ｊｕｓｔ　ｔｏ　ａｄｄ　ａ　ｌｉｔｔｌｅ　ｏｎ　ｔｈｅ　ｗｏｒｄ　ｏｒｇａｎｉｃ．Ｉ　ｇｕｅｓｓ　ｗｅ　ｈａｄ　ｔｈｉｓ　ｏｒｉｇｉｎａｌ　ｍｅａｎｉｎｇ　ｏｆ　＂ｈａｖｉｎｇ　ｔｈｅ　ｃｈａｒａｃｔｅｒｉｓｔｉｃｓ　ｏｆ　ｏｒｇａｎｓ＂．．．ａｎｄ　ｔｈｅｎ　ｙｏｕ　ｈａｖｅ　ｔｏ　ｄｅｃｉｄｅ　ｗｈａｔ　ａｒｅ　ｔｈｏｓｅ　ｃｈａｒａｃｔｅｒｉｓｔｉｃｓ．Ｗｈａｔ　ａｒｅ　ｔｈｅ　ｔｈｉｎｇｓ　ｔｈａｔ　ｄｅｆｉｎｅ　ｌｉｖｉｎｇ　ｏｒｇａｎｉｓｍｓ？　Ｉｓ　ｉｔ　ｍｏｖｅｍｅｎｔ？．．．ｎｏ．．ｒｏｂｏｔｓ　ｍｏｖｅ　ａｎｄ　ｔｒｅｅｓ　ｄｏｎ＇ｔ．Ｉｓ　ｉｔ　ｇｒｏｗｔｈ？　Ｉｓ　ｉｔ　ｒｅｐｒｏｄｕｃｔｉｏｎ？　Ｍａｎｙ　ａｔｔｅｍｐｔｓ　ｔｏ　ｄｅｆｉｎｅ　ｕｓｕａｌｌｙ　ａｒｅ　ｐｒｏｂｌｅｍａｔｉｃ　ａｎｄ　ｈａｖｅ　ｅｘｃｅｐｔｉｏｎｓ．　Ｉｔ　ｗａｓ　ｄｉｓｃｏｖｅｒｅｄ　ｔｈａｔ　ｔｈｅ　ｔｈｉｎｇ　ｔｈａｔ　ｌｉｖｉｎｇ　ｏｒｇａｎｉｓｍｓ　ｈａｄ　ｉｎ　ｃｏｍｍｏｎ　ｗａｓ　ｔｈａｔ　ｔｈｅｙ　ａｌｌ　ｃｏｎｔａｉｎｅｄ　ｃｅｒｔａｉｎ　ｃａｒｂｏｎ　ｂａｓｅｄ　ｃｏｍｐｏｕｎｄｓ　ａｎｄ　ｔｈｉｓ　ｂｅｃａｍｅ　ｔｈｅ　ｅａｓｉｅｓｔ　ａｎｄ　ｃｌｅａｒｅｓｔ　ｗａｙ　ｂａｓｅ　ａ　ｄｅｆｉｎｉｔｉｏｎ　ｏｆ　ｏｒｇａｎｉｃ　ｏｎ．

]]> <![CDATA[By: masterkrang]]> you're right, there probably is no problem to discuss, even myself, i wouldn't know the meaning of organic if i wasn't interested in it myself. if you read about the history of organic, you'll see why it's so mysterious... it's basically derived from early theory of the elements, which were totally wrong, but not bad considering their tools... but would now basically be considered a psuedo-science.

]]> you're right, there probably is no problem to discuss, even myself, i wouldn't know the meaning of organic if i wasn't interested in it myself. if you read about the history of organic, you'll see why it's so mysterious... it's basically derived from early theory of the elements, which were totally wrong, but not bad considering their tools... but would now basically be considered a psuedo-science.

]]> <![CDATA[By: masterkrang]]> in short i would say it's not reliable... and the thing i would be extremely weary of is large companies that claim to sell organic goods.

reminds me of a conversation i had with a local bee-keeper. he said his honey couldn't technically be considered organic because the bees were gathering nectar from non-organic farms. also, since farms cross pollinate, a lot of produce, plants etc are technically genetically modified, being that a genetically modified farm can still cross pollinate a non-genetically modified farm. it's a pretty big scandal in american farming, if anybody is interested they can read about a company called monsanto.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monsanto

]]> in short i would say it's not reliable... and the thing i would be extremely weary of is large companies that claim to sell organic goods.

reminds me of a conversation i had with a local bee-keeper. he said his honey couldn't technically be considered organic because the bees were gathering nectar from non-organic farms. also, since farms cross pollinate, a lot of produce, plants etc are technically genetically modified, being that a genetically modified farm can still cross pollinate a non-genetically modified farm. it's a pretty big scandal in american farming, if anybody is interested they can read about a company called monsanto.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monsanto

]]> <![CDATA[By: masterkrang]]> i also love this word and try to use it as frequently as i can, but i still find it hard to understand because sometimes it comes of as "flavor" and not texture.

]]> i also love this word and try to use it as frequently as i can, but i still find it hard to understand because sometimes it comes of as "flavor" and not texture.

]]> <![CDATA[By: masterkrang]]> 是is mystical and powerful, like 了. haha.

]]> 是is mystical and powerful, like 了. haha.

]]> <![CDATA[By: bababardwan]]> 是了

]]> 是了

]]> <![CDATA[By: bababardwan]]> 是了you can't be serious?

I am, and stop calling me 是了

]]> 是了you can't be serious?

I am, and stop calling me 是了

]]> <![CDATA[By: go_manly]]> Very clever baba. Maybe as a reward, tonight your wife can play Elaine, while you play Otto Pilot.

]]> Very clever baba. Maybe as a reward, tonight your wife can play Elaine, while you play Otto Pilot.

]]> <![CDATA[By: bababardwan]]> hehe, well spotted mate, except of course it was Ted Striker and Dr Rumack [ Leslie Nielson]. I guess you remembered that also though. I guess with my penchant for 胡说 though,of which this is a perfect example, it may be viewed by some that like Otto Pilot, I'm full of hot air

]]> hehe, well spotted mate, except of course it was Ted Striker and Dr Rumack [ Leslie Nielson]. I guess you remembered that also though. I guess with my penchant for 胡说 though,of which this is a perfect example, it may be viewed by some that like Otto Pilot, I'm full of hot air

]]> <![CDATA[By: jheitz]]> Are you referring to 是用有机蔬菜做的 ? I think it's the 是...的 pattern.

]]> Are you referring to 是用有机蔬菜做的 ? I think it's the 是...的 pattern.

]]> <![CDATA[By: go_manly]]> I don't think you realise which scene I was referring to. In this scene, Otto Pilot was being filled with hot air. At least that's what my parents told me was happening.

]]> I don't think you realise which scene I was referring to. In this scene, Otto Pilot was being filled with hot air. At least that's what my parents told me was happening.

]]> <![CDATA[By: bababardwan]]> I realised that but was too 害羞 to comment further on that tack [我不要改变一个塑料玩具。。。我真是个“我私“。。可以猜这个我新杜撰的词？】,hehe. I was just saying that that's not the scene the quote's from.

]]> I realised that but was too 害羞 to comment further on that tack [我不要改变一个塑料玩具。。。我真是个“我私“。。可以猜这个我新杜撰的词？】,hehe. I was just saying that that's not the scene the quote's from.

]]> <![CDATA[By: orangina]]> Having worked at a pretty big natural foods market for 8 years the first thing that comes to my head when the word organic is used is food that is produced according to standards set by the USDA. (Hippie culture in turmoil... Yay! for standardizing what organic means, oh, wait, does that mean we have to trust the government? Well, I already work for a huge corporation....) But my mothers favorite thing to say when we went down to the local co-op was, "All food is organic, it is carbon based." And my organic chemistry class in college, enjoyable as it was, had nothing to do with granola recipes. I just treat it as a homophone and let context be king.

]]> Having worked at a pretty big natural foods market for 8 years the first thing that comes to my head when the word organic is used is food that is produced according to standards set by the USDA. (Hippie culture in turmoil... Yay! for standardizing what organic means, oh, wait, does that mean we have to trust the government? Well, I already work for a huge corporation....) But my mothers favorite thing to say when we went down to the local co-op was, "All food is organic, it is carbon based." And my organic chemistry class in college, enjoyable as it was, had nothing to do with granola recipes. I just treat it as a homophone and let context be king.

]]> <![CDATA[By: zhenlijiang]]> 有機農産物 is organic produce. Maybe that's what you saw.

有机农产物, to convert the kanji into simplified Chinese characters.

]]> 有機農産物 is organic produce. Maybe that's what you saw.

有机农产物, to convert the kanji into simplified Chinese characters.

]]> <![CDATA[By: masterkrang]]> that's probably what it was, thought i don't remember the 产物 part. reminds me of how you would see it in america, sounds like a name like "organic farms" or "foster farms". thanks for that.

]]> that's probably what it was, thought i don't remember the 产物 part. reminds me of how you would see it in america, sounds like a name like "organic farms" or "foster farms". thanks for that.

]]> <![CDATA[By: jennyzhu]]> We are what we eat. You must be ultra healthy.

]]> We are what we eat. You must be ultra healthy.

]]> <![CDATA[By: jennyzhu]]> The market sounds great! Must be a fun weekend activity. Have you been to Chez Panisse?

]]> The market sounds great! Must be a fun weekend activity. Have you been to Chez Panisse?

]]>