MetaFilter posts tagged with bananas

The Ubiquitous Banana

burnfirewalls — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:12:21 -0800

"Miller produced a memo written in 1978 by Jack DeMent, a senior Dole [Food Company] executive, that reflected a proposed policy that 'people in the areas to be treated will be notified to the effect in the language of the workers involved.' Miller said a comment found on the draft undercut the good intentions. The comment read: 'This is not operationally feasible and does not need to be implemented.'" Dole Food Company was one of many companies that used DBCP on agricultural plantations. Nicaraguan workers have claimed that they were exposed to toxic levels of the nematocide without notification or protection. Despite the EPA banning most agricultural use of DBCP in the United States, at least one fruit company demanded that Dow Chemical continue to supply them with the chemical for use in other countries, even threatening legal action. A recent documentary, Bananas!*, covers the conflict between Dole Food Company and workers on banana plantations in Nicaragua. Dole responded by suing the filmmakers for defamation, later withdrawing their claim. The documentary website includes a timeline of events. Further reading: "In the first U.S. trial, a jury in Los Angeles awarded $5.8 million in damages to six Nicaraguan workers...Last year, Chaney reduced the damages by more than half; the case is on appeal." In April 2009, Chaney dismissed two tort cases against Dole and Dow Chemical on grounds of fraud October 21st, 2009 US District Judge Paul Huck declares rulings made by Nicaraguan courts invalid.

I love the monkey's uncle and I wish I were the monkey's aunt!

Item — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 12:56:58 -0800

When shitty '90s movies come to life: "Hit by a string of thefts, the owners of Plants & Planters in Richardson (TX) installed surveillance cameras in the hopes of recording the suspects in action, WFAA-TV reports. The cameras recorded images of what appears to be a monkey scooping up plants, flowers and accessories and handing it to someone waiting on the other side of a fence. In all, the monkey got a few dozen plants, flowers and concrete statues." "The monkey has not been arrested and the owners of the store tell WFAA reporter Steve Stoler they don't want the cops to pursue this any further because they actually find it humorous." To keep my journalistic integrity I must disclose the following: I know about this because my mother is a regular at Plants & Planters. She does not, however, know the monkey. Bonus: The Beach Boys featuring Annette Funicello: "Monkey's Uncle".

Cramp Free

netbros — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 08:26:35 -0800

They're everywhere; languishing on doorsteps, hanging out in the middle of the road, dangling off street signs, peeking out of piles of garbage, reclining in the middle of the sidewalk, riding the bus for free. London Bananas.

Death of a Banana

cinemafiend — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 10:34:23 -0800

The world loves the banana - they are the world's most popular fruit and the fourth most consumed food on our planet. According to Johann Hari in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, it appears that the variety of bananas loved the world over - the Cavendish - is headed for extinction due to Fusarium oxysporum (Panama disease). Apparently, this is not the first time that a variety of bananas has gone extinct. Before 1960, the Gros Michel was the world's most popular banana - it was said to have been bigger and tastier than the Cavendish -until Fusarium oxysporum wiped it from the face of the earth. By the way, the U.S. Government used Fusarium oxysporum, as a biological weapon in South America in an attempt to eradicate the coca plant. As you may have gleaned from the articles above, troubled and violent history of the business of bananas (involving the C.I.A.and United Fruit) as well as the future of the seemingly innocuous yellow fruit are explored in David Koeppel's Banana:The Fate of the Fruit That Changed the World.

The Octopus in the Cathedral of Salt, an investigative essay on the link between the Chiquita banana company and Colombian paramilitary organization AUC.

Kattullus — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 08:02:04 -0800

The Octopus in the Cathedral of Salt is an investigative essay by Phillip Robertson with pictures by photojournalist Carlos Villalon on the link between the Chiquita banana company and Colombian paramilitary organization AUC. Excerpt: We were drinking Aguilas and the night was winding down and I was half-listening to the conversation. Everyone else had gone downstairs. Carlos turned to me and said, “Is there anything you want to ask him before he goes home?” “I want to know if he heard anything about a shipment of guns that arrived at the Chiquita docks.” Years had passed, but it was worth a shot. “Sure,” Lorenzo said, “I was there. I supervised the unloading of the rifles.” The octopus of the title is the Chiquita banana company, formerly known as United Fruit and this is the Cathedral of Salt. Here's a previous thread on Chiquita's guilty plea for dealing with AUC and FARC. For more of Villalon's work click here.

Cool Timelapse Videos

jonson — Sat, 16 Dec 2006 16:35:48 -0800

Tlapse is the corporate YouTube account of GBTimelapse software, who are promoting their product by posting a series of really interesting timelapse films. Favorites so far are: Pumpkin, Watermelon & Bananas, but maybe I just have a decomposing fruit fetish. Although, this one of the world's laziest cat enjoying another productive day isn't bad either.

Flashy Friday

Mr Bluesky — Fri, 18 Nov 2005 15:28:40 -0800

Badgers and Bananas. A Flashy Friday contribution mon amis. So we got the Badgers, here's the Cussing CeleBriteez (Yes re-post and NSFW) and finally Fingertips! Do I really need to explain the connection..come on!

The fruit with a peel

Robot Johnny — Sun, 20 Mar 2005 23:13:22 -0800

The Secret of Bananas - Caught on tape!

Odd Collections

grumblebee — Sat, 28 Aug 2004 16:41:06 -0800

Odd Collections: plastic bags, X-rays, fish posters, air-sickness bags, uggly Fozzies, impaled garden gnomes, owls and bananas.

how bananas grow

yoga — Fri, 19 Sep 2003 16:22:29 -0800

How bananas grow. And other photography from Hong Kong.

That means no Planet of the Apes II, I guess

111 — Wed, 15 Jan 2003 23:03:41 -0800

Going bananas. The only fruit to ever appear on a Velvet Underground album cover (not to mention the title of a J. D. Salinger short story) may be on its way to extinction. Facts: I) total disappearance could occur within a decade; II) bananas are the staple diet for half a billion people and III) current genetic tampering mean that, even if the fruit doesn't quite disappear, it will taste and look different (Guardian article here). Feeling nostalgic already? Visit the stylish Banana Museum or give someone you love the Enchanted Banana of Happiness (not what you're thinking). first link via Fark