The things we eat

From the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy:

'The History of every major Galactic Civilization tends to pass through three distinct and recognizable phases, those of Survival, Inquiry and Sophistication, otherwise known as the How, Why and Where phases.
"For instance, the first phase is characterized by the question How can we eat? the second by the question Why do we eat? and the third by the question Where shall we have lunch?"'

Now as important as eating happens to be, and as much pleasure as it gives us – there is something that cannot be forgotten. Adaptability, and indeed survivability frequently depends on the ability to obtain nourishment from whatever is at hand. This is as true in terms of biochemical pathways as it is in a psychological and social sense. It is as true for individuals as it is for entire societies. Hedonism is not a disgustingly flawed ethical theory – it is the rumblings of some idiot's intestine wrapped up in fancy words.

Having said all of the above, I will now take you through a short tour of things I ate during my recent trip to the East. The first contestant is a 1.5$ slice of pizza from a Bangladeshi's store near the PABT. Eaten standing up against the wall. Random homeless people, confused out-of-towners crowding up behind you. Hot pizza usually goes down without complaint. Being a Deshi store, they should have put some Garam Masala on it.

Moving on. The Shake Shack burger joint near Times Square. Line was about 40 people long when we joined it. For a burger. The thing about burgers is that (with all due apologies to Dean Winchester) – they are not a particularly sophisticated and delectable food. Asking “what is the greatest burger that money can buy” is akin to asking “what is the best Corolla that money can buy”. Of course, you can dress it up – with sesame bread, pickles or nice polished alloy wheels. You can even pile on extras, like well cooked cheese fries, or a completely redundant spoiler. But at the end of the day it is a piece of reconstituted meat. Or a Corolla. Take your pick. 

 

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