Existential Angst, Doctor Who, and Professional Frustration, or: Why I Haven’t Been Posting
What is a food-obsessed man to do these days? Each food-related book, article, and documentary I encounter inspires and enrages me. I want to take up arms and join the cause. But what is the cause, and what are my weapons? The more I learn, the more I question. For a while, I thought eating local was the solution. But that seemed too simplistic. Now I’m about to read James E. McWilliams’ Just Food: Where Locavores Get It Wrong and How We Can Truly Eat Responsibly and once again be confused by expanding horizons and knowledge.
One thing I know is that I want to help people eat better nutritionally, economically, and have tastier food. But how? Do I go the super grass-roots route and live a life of moral integrity in poverty? Do I “sell out” and go for a more moderate “solution” and help someone more accessible like Whole Foods? Do I work within the system and work for the state or such? Do I try to change things for others or just for myself? Do I go off the map and work on farms and live in isolation for a while? All of these questions are bouncing around in my head, and usually the more I think about something, the more I understand it, but this problem–at least at this stage–is only made more complex.
And like all change, there will be some sacrifices that I’m still coming to terms with. Starting a new career will most likely mean a decrease in pay. Mabye no benefits or insurance. But I like suits and eating at restaurants, which, by the way is one of my favorite things in life. (If you somehow know of a way for me to simply eat at restaurants and get paid, that would be my life’s calling.) But a new direction I can feel good about would have value–maybe more than the possible lost wages.
But since I don’t know what I want to do yet, I am reluctant to make the jump. Hopefully, there is a tipping point where I start figuring things out more and being confused less, or at least just act in some way.
Another problem has been that I haven’t been able to find a focus for Jameseats. Rants? Reviews? Industry discussion? Championing healthy and responsible eating? The quest for a singular focus has led me to have no content and posting anxiety. So I’m taking you along with me in all my moods and ideas. It’ll be interesting for me and I can only hope that it will not bore you to death.
2 comments
Read Ruhlman’s The Reach of a Chef. It’s not just you. The way the world of food is going these days, it’s almost impossible to find a focus, and the meaning and nature of food and cooking seem to get more and more complex. I find it paradoxical that one of life’s most obvious conclusions should be so rife with intellectual complexity and moral conundrum. I think you’re doing just fine at figuring it out. Most people don’t even try, which is where most of the problems start anyway. By cutting heavily processed foods out of your diet as much as you can, I think you’re already taking one of the biggest steps toward change, both personally and for the greater good. I know Michael Pollan is polarizing and frequently a bit reductive, but I take to heart the central mantra of In Defense of Food: Eat food, not so much, mostly plants. A startling prospect, when you really think about what that means, and how few of us follow that advice.
I’m hoping that all those out there searching will reach a critical mass that at least questions the current system enough to engender some type of change, even if we don’t have all the answers. CSAs, cooking for yourself, thinking about one of the most intrinsically human things we do, and sharing your thoughts with any who care to read them - that’s gotta be a good thing.
James, I hear ya. I am constantly switching back and forth… do I eat local? Organic? Do I just focus on health, and eat lots of produce, from wherever? Do I cook everything at home from scratch, or support local restaurants? It’s quite frustrating to me, but I know that I just have to figure out my own beliefs, and what works for me and my life. If I am okay with my choices, that’s all that matters. Remind me that I said this, because by this evening I’ll be fretting again.
Anyway, it’s good to hear your voice again!
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