Eat now, think later.

Feeling particularly lazy this past Sunday afternoon, I decided to watch a documentary so as not to feel entirely useless. Food Inc has been on my watch list since it came out and it was every bit as captivating as I expected it to be. While living in France, I became fascinated by the French culinary culture and the relative affordability of healthy food. Since my return, I’ve even delved into what some call the world of “foodies”. (I do, however, really resent that title.) I’ve made it a point to explore some of the Bay Area’s most delectable eateries, giving kudos to establishments that prepare local products. Watching the documentary simply forced the resurfacing of thoughts I often suppress on a day to day basis. I was immediately sickened by how obsessed the developed world is with constant indulging. What was once a need has become an industry that entirely runs people’s lives. But wait a minute. Aren’t these the words of a hypocrite? How can I, an open admirer of food, make such claims about the industry? And that is where the paradox kicks in. I wonder now if there exists a balance between a love of the culinary world and deep disdain for the system that feeds us. When I eat out, I'm angered by that tiny surge of self loathing that overcomes me. Why should I have to fear that the meat on my plate came from a hundred different animals? Whom can we trust in our efforts to avoid the ills of the U.S. food industry? In reading an endless stream of accusations against the FDA and the USDA, I question if these government agencies even partially fulfilling their roles. At the latest farmer’s market, ready as always to pay twice as much for what should be a good product, I found myself wondering how much integrity the avocado in my had really had? These frustrating thoughts make me think back on Armenia and what eating means there. In my lifetime, Armenia was a country without supermarkets and pesticides. Farmer’s markets were the only kind of markets. Now, illuminated and glistening 24 hour superstores are open for business across the nation. Without government intervention, pesticides are bringing farmers short term benefits with detrimental long term effects. On the other hand, I cannot begin to blame these people for wanting to enlarge their livestock with hormones. They harldy have the opportunity to earn enough to feed their families. Although my research is extremely limited, I have the inkling that Armenia is not the only country bearing witness to such changes in our globalizing world. Perhaps these “advancements” are the early symptoms of an eventually crippling disease. And when I think of this, I can’t help but ponder the following: When it comes to food, is development an ironic enemy?

Virtual Rennovation

It's been almost a year since I've picked up my pen - or put my fingers to the keyboard - to write for pleasure. I began this blog nearly two years ago to record musings from my time in Washington, DC. After coming back to California, I neglected the blog and mistakenly abandoned it altogether when I moved to France. Back in California and equipped with a new arsenal of thoughts and opinions, I have vowed to write again. I am going to transform this little virtual space I call my own into a collection of input on global culture, politics, and basic human relations. I hope to make the blog less about the writer and more about what I have to say. Earning an undergraduate degree in such a unique time (if you will) and travelling to Europe has opened my eyes to a few new things. For better or worse, I want to share these thoughts with the online community. This time, I'll do so with more rigor and regularity. Let's see how this turns out, shall we?