New Book About the California Strawberry Industry

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Author: Mark Bolda

Published on: August 14, 2019

And this one is sure to make a splash.

Just bought it on Amazon, and I'll set aside my current read (Plato's Gorgias) to wade into this one. It's supposed to arrive on Friday, so I can start into it already this weekend. From the reviews I see it does tilt in a certain direction, and indeed I've spoken with Julie on several occasions (and have some of my work referenced there apparently), so there is some anticipation of what is to come.

Then again, it's good to know what is being written about my vocation and my friends.

Comments to follow later on when I finish.

Comments: 4

Comments:

by Thomas Flewell

on August 15, 2019 at 11:46 AM

Come Gorgias, let us reason together and set aside the contentious wrangling of the sophists.

by Mark Bolda

on August 15, 2019 at 1:20 PM

I knew you would like that Thom. What's interesting in the initial exchange between Socrates and Gorgias is how Gorgias is convinced that he can persuade audiences without actually having a mastery of the subject. In fact, he states he could sway an audience more effectively than the actual expert of that very subject.

It seems absurd, of course, but it speaks volumes to how people assimilate knowledge and let their opinions be shaped.

by Alexander Pope

on August 30, 2019 at 7:12 PM

A little learning is a dangerous thing;
drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring:
there shallow draughts intoxicate the brain,
and drinking largely sobers us again.

How’s the book? Will you be posting a review? Are we doomed or is it just sensationalism?

Reply by Mark Bolda

on August 31, 2019 at 7:23 PM

Cute reference there ... Alex.

Should be posting a review, actually colleague Peter Henry over at USDA is reading the same, so should have some nice discussion to share.
Among other things (and believe me this author has done her homework!), the book implies that the industry is not going to do well going forward because the whole system has been based on fumigation which is not sustainable, I think (and really am here to think) otherwise.

What seems so obvious one day is not so obvious the next.