Hmm. I'm a food chemist who watched as chefs congratulations themselves for discovering molecular gastronomy. I love what they did, it just wasn't that revolutionary.
As a outsider it was interesting to read about the problems outlined in "electrify everything." I know about the problems with the electrical company and the grid, but was not aware that America is perceived as perpetuating the problems instead of helping.
I agree that asking households to pay for new electric appliances is an unnecessary roadblock to adoption of renewable energy. That's true for me in Orlando too. I don't see a solution to that beyond an economic revolution and probably a political one as well. There's that R word again.
There's even been a solar tax on those who do use solar in order to pay back electric company debts, decided on my la junta—which is what the fiscal control board from the US is called locally. I'm certainly in favor of revolution that's real, not imagined on a pizza pie.
In parts of Africa, they use networked solar panels on roofs to provide small community-based power grids. I'd love to see this here, but legislation prohibits it just as it allows power companies to charge us a minimum even if we get all our power from rooftop solar. Will the 'save the power company first' mentality get us to a 100% transition off fossil fuels or does it just protect the status quo? I could see a general fee being the least amount of harm for a while, as long as there is a parallel process working to wean us all from the need to use non-renewable energy at all. Without that, we need another solution.
In another part of my work, I am covering the PG&E settlement for the wildfires that burnt down multiple communities. The settlement doesn't even come close to making whole the people who lost everything and PG&E is now protected from further lawsuits, plus they can increase fees to pay down those losses and cover fixes to bury the power lines that caused the fires in the first place. The people lose all around because we gave power to a private company over a utility needed by all. Time to vote for a better system for all.
Thank you so for your comments around Chef’s Table, you’ve so well articulated how I’ve felt for a long time. Many food shows make the necessary seem unattainable and in so doing, they widen the already considerably large chasm between people and food.
Articles like this make me go yes! Yes! Yes! I have a chef-trained colleague who frequently drops the names of his chef friends and seem surprised by my blank expression. I don’t belittle their achievements, but don’t think they should be treated as idols either.
I often joke that, as a spouse and mom, I should have my face on the cover of a food magazine because making meals that manage to feed a family of 4, one of whom has a lactose intolerance, another with a disability that prevents her from chewing, is its own achievement.
Hmm. I'm a food chemist who watched as chefs congratulations themselves for discovering molecular gastronomy. I love what they did, it just wasn't that revolutionary.
That’s so interesting, too! I would love to read about that moment from your perspective.
As a outsider it was interesting to read about the problems outlined in "electrify everything." I know about the problems with the electrical company and the grid, but was not aware that America is perceived as perpetuating the problems instead of helping.
I agree that asking households to pay for new electric appliances is an unnecessary roadblock to adoption of renewable energy. That's true for me in Orlando too. I don't see a solution to that beyond an economic revolution and probably a political one as well. There's that R word again.
There's even been a solar tax on those who do use solar in order to pay back electric company debts, decided on my la junta—which is what the fiscal control board from the US is called locally. I'm certainly in favor of revolution that's real, not imagined on a pizza pie.
In parts of Africa, they use networked solar panels on roofs to provide small community-based power grids. I'd love to see this here, but legislation prohibits it just as it allows power companies to charge us a minimum even if we get all our power from rooftop solar. Will the 'save the power company first' mentality get us to a 100% transition off fossil fuels or does it just protect the status quo? I could see a general fee being the least amount of harm for a while, as long as there is a parallel process working to wean us all from the need to use non-renewable energy at all. Without that, we need another solution.
In another part of my work, I am covering the PG&E settlement for the wildfires that burnt down multiple communities. The settlement doesn't even come close to making whole the people who lost everything and PG&E is now protected from further lawsuits, plus they can increase fees to pay down those losses and cover fixes to bury the power lines that caused the fires in the first place. The people lose all around because we gave power to a private company over a utility needed by all. Time to vote for a better system for all.
Alicia,
Thank you so for your comments around Chef’s Table, you’ve so well articulated how I’ve felt for a long time. Many food shows make the necessary seem unattainable and in so doing, they widen the already considerably large chasm between people and food.
Articles like this make me go yes! Yes! Yes! I have a chef-trained colleague who frequently drops the names of his chef friends and seem surprised by my blank expression. I don’t belittle their achievements, but don’t think they should be treated as idols either.
I often joke that, as a spouse and mom, I should have my face on the cover of a food magazine because making meals that manage to feed a family of 4, one of whom has a lactose intolerance, another with a disability that prevents her from chewing, is its own achievement.
I love vegan food but I hate foodie culture. I’m with your husband on those chef shows. Your writing is a sweet, sharp antidote.