Fast, Cheap and Out-of-Control

Last week, my colleague Ethan Klein posted a short review of The Omnivore's Dilemma, a new book by journalist Michael Pollan. Today, Grist has a very insightful interview with the author. I especially like what Pollan says about our culture's priorities when it comes to food. He says we've been thoroughly sold on the virtues of food that's both fast and cheap, but asks, What did we do with the extra time and money? As any casual observer of American culture could tell you, we've happily spent it on non-essentials like cable tv, cell phones, and the Internet, while forsaking the pleasures of good food, cooked and eaten at a leisurely pace. As with so many "modern conveniences," it's important to step back once in a while and ask ourselves: What did we lose in the bargain? Was it a worthy trade-off, or did we just buy into the usual consumerist myths without thinking?