Thank you sir, may I have another?
Given his veganism and his politics, there is probably very little upon which writer B.R. Myers and I would agree. However one thing we can agree on is that the foodie world needs and deserves a whole lot more mocking and derision. His article in The Atlantic is an excellent start.
Thank you for the article, because I had not been able to put my finger on what bothered me about everything I see and read about food lately. However I have a question: Am I guilty if I do not actually eat the pie crust I am obsessively trying to perfect? : )
Ha! I think you can do both without going to hell. At least I hope so…since I obsessed over a cake this weekend and enjoyed every bite.
Aww… I actually despised this article. Nick over at Macheesmo provided a very good counter-article to that piece.
By recommending this article I’m not saying that all the arguments in it are either right or fair. Where I wholeheartedly agree with Professor Myers is his contention that the foodie movement has so far been subjected to far too little critical examination. Just like any other cultural movement, it needs it. The excesses of Bourdain, Waters and Pollan demonstrate clearly that so far there are very, very few people out there willing to question the loony things they say. Allowing them to carry on unchallenged only encourages them to say even loonier things. I’ve done my best to show where I think Michael Pollan has crossed into unreason and demagoguery over the years, but I’m just one guy with a blog. We need others both from within and without the foodie movement to help. Because foodism is more than merely popular. It is becoming a cultural, economic — even political — force. Critics serve a valuable purpose by asking: are the ideas and values that foodies advocate something we really want to incorporate into the fabric of our society?
So while you may despise the work of B.A. Myers, Peggy, I think you should at least be glad that he’s out there asking questions. I know I am. He made me stop and think — as I think we all should before we elevate any person or idea to a place of permanent status in our culture.
Oh, and if you other readers want to see the defense at Macheesmo, go here: http://www.macheesmo.com/2011/02/in-defense-of-foodies/
Nick seems to be unsure as to whether he’s a “foodie.” I can see why he wonders that because I briefly did as well. However if you’ve got a food blog it’s safe to say you’re a foodie, even though you don’t fancy yourself as much of a snob as some of the unabashed epicures out there.
Yeah, I can see both points. I agree, not everything in each article is absolutely true or correct, and I can definitely see your point about the foodie movement being too little criticized. Well put and thank you.
Thank you, Peggy. I greatly appreciate you commenting on this. And for the record let me reiterate I don’t like all of the article…not by any stretch.