I used to work in politics. During my time, I worked on two national election campaigns, in the War Room. This provided invaluable learnings about media, news and communications.
When I started out, my boss – referring to the way I presented information or created content – often said “Jackson, you have to be more political.”
“Be more political” is a euphemism for bending reality a certain way and upping the rhetorical quotient. In practice, it means injecting drama and righteous indignation into situations.
This kind of rhetoric and the accompanying behaviour from politicians IS the primary reason so many people are disconnected from politics and the political process. It’s pernicious.
All signs indicate that there is an election coming up. “Being political” will get in the way of real issues, but, here are a few things I wish candidates, parties, and the media would examine. They are of real concern:
How to protect fish stocks. Trawling, long-line fishing and other nasty practices continue to deplete stocks at unsustainable rates. What will we do?
Labelling of GMO’s. It is unbelievable in a country like ours that we do not have mandatory labelling of GMO’s. The EU has stepped up on this. Why can’t we?
Curbing the power and influence of Monsanto. In a sick “first,” this company has institutionalized the practice of suing its own customer base. The idea that farmers must buy new seeds EVERY year runs counter to the basic rhythms of nature. Moreover, Monsanto’s GM crops are starting to pollinate fields of non-GM crops.
Developing a coherent plan for the management of our water resources. Canada isrich in water. There’s all sorts of evidence that this is going to become a more envied position in the coming decades. We need to plan now so we don’t make mistakes similar to what happened with other resources (like the Cod fishery).
Crafting a strategy to help cities. We are an urban nation. But municipal governments are beyond cash-strapped. They’re also at the front lines of ensuring the sustainability and livability of our communities. The current funding outlook is untenable.
I wish I could say “being political” would not get in the way. Alas, bombast, vitriol and pettiness will likely rule the day as per usual.
Are there issues you’d like to see discussed in the election that seems increasingly likely? If so, please leave a comment.
The gist of Myers’ argument is that foodie culture has gone too far.
More specifically, he contends foodie-ism:
Celebrates gluttony.
Is elitist. Myers contends that the gourmet has always celebrating in a form of eating that the “mainstream cannot afford.” This means foodies celebrate eating rare – even endangered things and take pleasure in arcane details about food’s provenance (think Michael Pollan).
AND…that food writing is basically hyperbole-laden bullshit.
As with many polemics, Myers’ argument has credibility because there are grains of truth in the above.
Go check a food blog near you. Youmight find celebration of gluttony, a mildly elitist slant, and/or an exaltation of a cheese sauce couched in terms usually reserved for the divine.
Point is, Myers has a point - though one made with extreme examples that makes sweeping statements based on these (another feature of all good polemics).
But Myers’ anti-foodie rant fails to account for some of the great things foodie culture has done.
For example:
Foodie culture has played a role in bridging cultural divides. As the world grows smaller, foodies’ obsession with trying new foods has served to bring hitherto foreign entities together. This is not a bad thing.
Foodie culture – specifically the locavore/”need to know provenance” segment – has raised awareness about dangerous eating and food production. OK, it may be annoying to listen to someone drone on about needing to know what a cow’s childhood was like and what the name of the farmer’s daughter is. But there’s no doubt that lesser versions of these foodie-tendencies have helped expose factory farming, the use of anti-biotics, and other nasty things. We believe this stuff is important and that much of the content from this segment of the foodie world is reasonable in its tone and argument (hopefully we are too).
Food writing is a lark (at least for me). I don’t expect food writing to be lean prose a la Hemingway. Yes, some of it is turgid enough to induce vomitting, but if there were ever a realm for flights of verbal fancy would it not be this one? Simply put, Myers needs to chill a little and recognize food writing for what is (and is not).
Love to know what you think on this. Please add a comment!
In this day and age with technology being what it is, there are so many fantastic ways to share information … SO MANY. I can say without fail one of my all time favorites is still a good old fashion documentary … ahhhhh just saying it is soothing for some reason. There is something to be said for riveting cinematography that embellishes a story not soon to be forgotten.
I have been meaning to start a little list of docs to see, recommendations to give and topics I’ve long wondered if docs already existed for. In a recent conversation my brother “aka the grasshopper” we had a battle of “- have you since this _____ ? – NO BUT have you seen this _____?” and so on. In true fashion neither of us wrote down the others suggestions. At the end of our visit it was my brother who suggested an open form for sharing great documentaries, so here I am.
So in hopes of reclaiming some of his suggestions and hearing some of yours, here are some of the documentaries that really moved me.
THE WORLD ACCORDING TO MONSANTO – watch trailer – this doc shook me to my inner core!
Jokes aside, there are some pretty amazing people doing smart things out there. This video of Ben Dyer (charcuterie master) via Cooking Up a Story. Thanks to Amanda for sharing their content with us.
Ben has got some great thoughts on eating food that is raised humanely. If you cannot see this vid go here:
