The Omnivore's Dilemma

Michael Pollan (1955) is an American journalist and researcher. Pollan’s work is concerned with the interplay between humans and the natural world. His works have explored everything from gardening, architecture, botany, cooking, and narcotics. He is the King Professor of Science and Environmental Journalism at the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. Pollan received the Washburn Award from the Boston Museum of Science and was granted the title of fellow at Harvard University’s Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study. He was given the James Beard Leadership Award and Genesis Award from the Humane Society of the United States.

Pollan’s work has influenced many other nonfiction writers and researchers, including Samin Nosrat. However, his work has received some criticism for being too reductionist concerning the agriculture industry. Pollan’s most recent words—How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence and This Is Your Mind on Plants—explore the effects of psychedelics and other mind-altering drugs on humans. Although these works have received a handful of negative reviews, they have been applauded for their treatment of the controversial topic.