Showerthoughts

29876 readers

596 users here now

A "Showerthought" is a simple term used to describe the thoughts that pop into your head while you're doing everyday things like taking a shower, driving, or just daydreaming. A showerthought should offer a unique perspective on an ordinary part of life.

Rules

All posts must be showerthoughts
The entire showerthought must be in the title
Avoid politics
- 3.1) NEW RULE as of 5 Nov 2024, trying it out
- 3.2) Political posts often end up being circle jerks (not offering unique perspective) or enflaming (too much work for mods).
- 3.3) Try c/politicaldiscussion, volunteer as a mod here, or start your own community.
Posts must be original/unique
Adhere to Lemmy's Code of Conduct

founded 2 years ago

MODERATORS

[email protected]

-49

Is "food" a social construct? (lemm.ee)

submitted 5 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

57 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Hear me out. There's nothing innate to an object that makes it "food". It's an attribute we give to certain things that meet certain qualities, i.e. being digestible, nutritious, perhaps tasty or satisfying in some way, etc. We could really ingest just about anything, but we call the stuff that's edible "food". Does that make it a social construct?

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] [email protected] -1 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

I have to agree, considering how often people meeting new people of different cultures have been known to ask "is it food?" When presented with new things that may or may not be food.

There's plenty of edible things we don't actually use as food, too. Paste is edible and just made from flour and water. But it's not food. There are cultures that eat bugs, and those that do not may not consider bugs food. What is and isn't food is somewhat determined by culture.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

that's a beautiful thing! so... mind or culture?