Re "Diane de Prima’s poem “Rant”: The only war is the war against the imagination. I’m a writer; the imagination is my job"... yes! And this is also why I read. I imagine more, learn more about what I think about things, by reading what other writers are thinking about. Their/your writing, their/your imagination, spikes and feeds my imagination. Also, I am already reading a couple of your book recommendations. Thank you.
Me too!!! It also goes back to the Sarah Schulman quote I shared a couple of weeks ago: the point of engaging with a text isn’t seeking agreement; it’s often about generating new knowledge for yourself.
What some people might miss is through her word choice, imagination, she associates writing with inspiring pleasure, creativity, and imagination in the reader, whereas inspiring thought--thinking--could be associated more with work and effort. I appreciate both approaches, but those who inspire my imagination and creativity are always fun to read.
Thank you for this essay, Alicia. Interesting starting off point to think about the interconnected webs of labor and pleasure. I recently went on a deep dive into these themes through the topic of tea, and read a couple of books that might be of interest to you or some of the other readers of your newsletter! The titles are as follows:
"Tea War" by Andrew B. Liu
"The Darjeeling Distinction: Labor and Justice on Fair Trade Tea Plantations in India" by Sarah Besky
"Tasting Qualities: The Past and Future of Tea," also by Sarah Besky.
Thank you so much for these recommendations! I know I need to get more into reading about tea because its history is so fascinating—I'm just a coffee drinker so I don't think of it! 🤣
I have been away for a bit - my long distance GF came back to town for the summer and I gave up a lot of online stuff to be present. Now she’s been gone a couple weeks, and I’m slowly getting out of the depression that loneliness causes and sending tendrils of attention back out here. I was reading the previous post while we visited Portland, and Powell’s City of Books, for some extra inspiration. I didn’t find all the titles, but still managed to do what I always do when inside a bookstore of any quality, but especially when encountering a gold standard: namely, become insanely greedy and spend too much money.
A book that helped shape my current understanding of the world is Tom Standage’s “A History of the World in Six Glasses”, which is a great primer for further deep dives into how geopolitics and food culture have been shaped by the commodities and personnel required to produce beer, wine, spirits, coffee, tea and Coca-Cola.
I can’t wait to visit Powell’s one day, but I’m also so happy you enjoyed your time!!! I need to read this book--I need a primer on beverages beyond rum.
Rum is definitely a central subject of the spirits section, which I’m sure you expect, given its position in the slave trade. He cites all his sources, so it really helps as a launch point.
Thanks for this essay, Alicia. It was nice to be reminded of Diane di Prima, having read Memoirs of a Beatnik a half century ago, and so many other things.
I'm curious, have you eaten here yet? - BACOA Finca + Fogón https://bacoapr.com
Finally ordered all three after hearing you mention them off and on and am excited to read! It feels like since this series started I’ve been seeing “food is political” everywhere and now every time I’m like but WHAT are the politics like a good student lol !
I recently read Burek: A Culinary Metaphor, and while the author's project of analyzing the role that burek plays in everyday Slovenian nationalist rhetoric is an interesting one, I thought the book fell pretty flat. But it sounds like reading Gastronativism might be a complementary read to Burek, and maybe provide some of the broader frameworks that weren't as clear in Burek.
Yes, definitely seems like Gastronativism could be of use there! I think it’s interesting for how much it feels like it was written in real time but could also have been edited better (everything being published these days could’ve been edited better though lol)
Hi Alicia, I upgraded my subscription only so I can write a comment. I generally love your work and content, but I really feel you're missing the mark on the entire meat conversation as you're not talking about animal rights at all as if the "choice" only affects people. But it doesn't and the "but culture" argument is a weak one. There are cultures where misoginy and homophobia is a part of it and has been so for centuries but does it make it right? So for someone in the food world and with such influence it's a little dissapointing for you not to have a broader perspective on this one. I know people can be vicious about defending their meat eating "choices" but I feel this one is worth fighting for. Thanks for reading.
As I stated, my job is to make not eating meat appealing for those for whom it is an option. I have had a lot of luck in helping people eat less meat because of my approach. My perspective will miss the mark with those who prioritize animal rights, as this is not the audience I need to reach. I want to reach the omnivore majority.
Thanks for responding. I didn't mean to insinuate that I don't value your work, however, my previous comment reflects why I haven't subscribed earlier and as the internet is not the best place for discourse I will leave it at that.
Re "Diane de Prima’s poem “Rant”: The only war is the war against the imagination. I’m a writer; the imagination is my job"... yes! And this is also why I read. I imagine more, learn more about what I think about things, by reading what other writers are thinking about. Their/your writing, their/your imagination, spikes and feeds my imagination. Also, I am already reading a couple of your book recommendations. Thank you.
Me too!!! It also goes back to the Sarah Schulman quote I shared a couple of weeks ago: the point of engaging with a text isn’t seeking agreement; it’s often about generating new knowledge for yourself.
What some people might miss is through her word choice, imagination, she associates writing with inspiring pleasure, creativity, and imagination in the reader, whereas inspiring thought--thinking--could be associated more with work and effort. I appreciate both approaches, but those who inspire my imagination and creativity are always fun to read.
Thank you for this essay, Alicia. Interesting starting off point to think about the interconnected webs of labor and pleasure. I recently went on a deep dive into these themes through the topic of tea, and read a couple of books that might be of interest to you or some of the other readers of your newsletter! The titles are as follows:
"Tea War" by Andrew B. Liu
"The Darjeeling Distinction: Labor and Justice on Fair Trade Tea Plantations in India" by Sarah Besky
"Tasting Qualities: The Past and Future of Tea," also by Sarah Besky.
Thank you so much for these recommendations! I know I need to get more into reading about tea because its history is so fascinating—I'm just a coffee drinker so I don't think of it! 🤣
I have been away for a bit - my long distance GF came back to town for the summer and I gave up a lot of online stuff to be present. Now she’s been gone a couple weeks, and I’m slowly getting out of the depression that loneliness causes and sending tendrils of attention back out here. I was reading the previous post while we visited Portland, and Powell’s City of Books, for some extra inspiration. I didn’t find all the titles, but still managed to do what I always do when inside a bookstore of any quality, but especially when encountering a gold standard: namely, become insanely greedy and spend too much money.
A book that helped shape my current understanding of the world is Tom Standage’s “A History of the World in Six Glasses”, which is a great primer for further deep dives into how geopolitics and food culture have been shaped by the commodities and personnel required to produce beer, wine, spirits, coffee, tea and Coca-Cola.
I can’t wait to visit Powell’s one day, but I’m also so happy you enjoyed your time!!! I need to read this book--I need a primer on beverages beyond rum.
Rum is definitely a central subject of the spirits section, which I’m sure you expect, given its position in the slave trade. He cites all his sources, so it really helps as a launch point.
Oooh, Lyana Blount's flancocho, which is included in your FoodPrint article. That looks delicious!
Thanks for this essay, Alicia. It was nice to be reminded of Diane di Prima, having read Memoirs of a Beatnik a half century ago, and so many other things.
I'm curious, have you eaten here yet? - BACOA Finca + Fogón https://bacoapr.com
Only at the soft opening!
Finally ordered all three after hearing you mention them off and on and am excited to read! It feels like since this series started I’ve been seeing “food is political” everywhere and now every time I’m like but WHAT are the politics like a good student lol !
LOL!!! Hope you enjoy the books--they’re really such necessary references!
I recently read Burek: A Culinary Metaphor, and while the author's project of analyzing the role that burek plays in everyday Slovenian nationalist rhetoric is an interesting one, I thought the book fell pretty flat. But it sounds like reading Gastronativism might be a complementary read to Burek, and maybe provide some of the broader frameworks that weren't as clear in Burek.
Yes, definitely seems like Gastronativism could be of use there! I think it’s interesting for how much it feels like it was written in real time but could also have been edited better (everything being published these days could’ve been edited better though lol)
Loved these reading suggestions! Thank you so much! And for this wonderful essay, too.
Hi Alicia, I upgraded my subscription only so I can write a comment. I generally love your work and content, but I really feel you're missing the mark on the entire meat conversation as you're not talking about animal rights at all as if the "choice" only affects people. But it doesn't and the "but culture" argument is a weak one. There are cultures where misoginy and homophobia is a part of it and has been so for centuries but does it make it right? So for someone in the food world and with such influence it's a little dissapointing for you not to have a broader perspective on this one. I know people can be vicious about defending their meat eating "choices" but I feel this one is worth fighting for. Thanks for reading.
As I stated, my job is to make not eating meat appealing for those for whom it is an option. I have had a lot of luck in helping people eat less meat because of my approach. My perspective will miss the mark with those who prioritize animal rights, as this is not the audience I need to reach. I want to reach the omnivore majority.
I am sorry that it was only this that inspired you to upgrade, as I’ve spent nearly two years publishing vegan recipes regularly.
Thanks for responding. I didn't mean to insinuate that I don't value your work, however, my previous comment reflects why I haven't subscribed earlier and as the internet is not the best place for discourse I will leave it at that.