You already know what I do here: write about eating. Let me today, because it is today, start at the beginning.
Writing is a way of thinking. When I have a theme and time, I use this window as a space for reflection.
The blank page syndrome is more about deciding what to talk about than the fear of not knowing what to say. Once the approach has been chosen, what it is about is finding out, trying to understand the characteristics, conditioning factors, visions, positions and interests to make an indicative map with all its accidents on which to dare to draw a course.
Yes, I know, my articles tend to abuse enumerations, strings, sequences, juxtapositions (as shown by a button), as well as explanatory parentheses (I've done it again!) and specifications. I know that all this is not what is best for a good pace of reading, but it is that an accurate map needs detail, although without reaching that of those Borgian cartographers who ended up drawing plans as large as the represented territories.
Analysis and then synthesis. Explain it in an understandable way by developing a minimally coherent discourse. With this, already, with a song in the teeth. Because complexity is an attribute of reality and more when it comes to eating. The categorical, the definitive, tends to be ignorance, lies, infamy or bad faith.
Write to think. Writing to learn, understand, reflect and share the reflection.
Writing is also committing, ergo avoid preaching too vehemently because then you have to comply... And because conscience is kinder than obligation.
Write to eat better. To try that we can all do it. To work on this commitment and act accordingly. From the modesty of accepting that the undertaking is unattainable, but understanding that the sea is full of drops, that the bread is full of crumbs and that one crumb after another mark the way.
And thus move forward avoiding errors in the face of the continuous paradoxes of our food system. Dare to propose honestly, argumentatively, how to agree the commitment to open innovation with the passion for local traditions, frugality with appetite, health with pleasure, the practical with the sustainable, the desire to travel with respect for the environment , commitment to local producers and support to responsible exporting companies. Or the clear and firm condemnation of idolatry, of the uncritical veneration of fame as a value in itself that engenders monsters, with enthusiastic recognition for those who really contribute things and encouragement for those who give their all to do what they can. best possible, because Joan Maragall already wrote that the salvation of humanity depends on each of us doing our homework well. Would we condemn the upholsterer for trying to make the chair more comfortable, beautiful and original or would we give him the medal of merit at work?
Write being attentive to adapt and, when it does not rain, if it touches, porco governo, but also note that food autarky is dangerous and consider what to do in the face of an overheated and thirsty future.
And with all this, time and a beer, build a General Treatise on Gastronomy in installments that is hanging on the web at your disposal. In case anyone is interested.
