I'll admit it now. While in college, I was an avid admirer of Ayn Rand. I devoured The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged. I was a believer, certain that the builders and producers should rule over the parasites and users.
Of course, it being the 1960s, I also believed that the bomb should not be used, marched for civil rights against Ole Miss, attended the very first Vietnam teach-in at Rutgers, and was very present at anti-war rallies and the very first (and second and third...Etc.) Earth Days.
Then I grew up. Years later, I re-read Ayn Rand and discovered two important things: she was an absolutely terrible, horrible writer and her ideas did not make any sense at all in the real world.
If only some of our leaders and shakers had learned the same lesson as they grew up, too.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Thursday, December 1, 2011
The Infantilization of "Gourmet" Food
Lobster mac and cheese. 5 napkin Burgers. Heavy burgers. Kobe Meatloaf. Pizza bistros. More pizza bistros. More burger joints. And more mac 'n' cheese.
That's what I am reading about in the restaurant and foodie columns. With the exception of chicken fingers and chicken nuggets, it all seems to read like a kids' menu, only with pricier ingredients and pricier prices.
Whatever happened to real food, the kind that demanded a knife, fork and teeth so you could chew it? Is it because people want to be younger -- and thus eat kiddy food? It can't be all about price, as some of these burger joints start around $12 and go upward rapidly.
Maybe it's the economy. During the "great" depression, people flocked to the movies to see happy-making, escape-from-reality films. Could this time it be all about back-to-childhood comfort foods?
Sure, it's fun to be ale to eat with your hands -- and that includes pizza for true believers -- pizza should never be eaten with a knife and fork -- take that, Donald Trump! But let's not take it too far.
Bring back adult food -- with more than one course, and real utensils and cloth napkins. And maybe candles. And a tablecloth. And wine. Not every day. But once in a while, and pass by the burgers and fries and pizza and mac 'n' cheese. Please. And not from food trucks.
That's what I am reading about in the restaurant and foodie columns. With the exception of chicken fingers and chicken nuggets, it all seems to read like a kids' menu, only with pricier ingredients and pricier prices.
Whatever happened to real food, the kind that demanded a knife, fork and teeth so you could chew it? Is it because people want to be younger -- and thus eat kiddy food? It can't be all about price, as some of these burger joints start around $12 and go upward rapidly.
Maybe it's the economy. During the "great" depression, people flocked to the movies to see happy-making, escape-from-reality films. Could this time it be all about back-to-childhood comfort foods?
Sure, it's fun to be ale to eat with your hands -- and that includes pizza for true believers -- pizza should never be eaten with a knife and fork -- take that, Donald Trump! But let's not take it too far.
Bring back adult food -- with more than one course, and real utensils and cloth napkins. And maybe candles. And a tablecloth. And wine. Not every day. But once in a while, and pass by the burgers and fries and pizza and mac 'n' cheese. Please. And not from food trucks.
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