livius drusus
01-04-2005, 06:54 PM
We discussed Slow Food (http://www.slowfood.com/eng/sf_cose/sf_cose.lasso) briefly here (http://www.freethought-forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1063), but I thought it could do with its own thread. The Slow Food Movement began (as its name indicates) in reaction to the growth of fast food in Europe and the organization has a rather fabulous manifesto reminiscent of the days of the Internationale (and Chaplin's Modern Times):
The Official Manifesto
Our century, which began and has developed under the insignia of industrial civilization, first invented the machine and then took it as its life model.
We are enslaved by speed and have all succumbed to the same insidious virus: Fast Life, which disrupts our habits, pervades the privacy of our homes and forces us to eat Fast Foods.
To be worthy of the name, Homo Sapiens should rid himself of speed before it reduces him to a species in danger of extinction.
A firm defense of quiet material pleasure is the only way to oppose the universal folly of Fast Life.
May suitable doses of guaranteed sensual pleasure and slow, long-lasting enjoyment preserve us from the contagion of the multitude who mistake frenzy for efficiency.
Our defense should begin at the table with Slow Food. Let us rediscover the flavors and savors of regional cooking and banish the degrading effects of Fast Food.
In the name of productivity, Fast Life has changed our way of being and threatens our environment and our landscapes. So Slow Food is now the only truly progressive answer.
That is what real culture is all about: developing taste rather than demeaning it. And what better way to set about this than an international exchange of experiences, knowledge, projects?
Slow Food guarantees a better future.
Slow Food is an idea that needs plenty of qualified supporters who can help turn this (slow) motion into an international movement, with the little snail as its symbol.
But the movement encompasses far more than just an appreciation for time-consuming food prep and long, lazy dinners with friends and family, although that's certainly a great and joyous part of it. They have a growing catalogue of publications (http://www.slowfood.com/eng/sf_editore/sf_editore.lasso), a Foundation for Biodiversity (http://www.slowfoodfoundation.com/), run regular, locally organized "convivia" to celebrate according to the principles listed in the manifesto as well as to publicize local produce, and much more I'm overlooking in my highly ironic haste to post this.
I love this organization. Not only does it espouse a philosophy very near and dear to my heart, but its decentralized structure puts its money where its mouth is. Besides, they have taste workshops. And adult education programs like the Master of Food (http://www.slowfood.com/eng/sf_master/sf_master_corsi.lasso) and the University of Gastronomic Sciences. Oh, and then there's Slow Web (http://www.slowfood.com/eng/sf_sloweb/sf_sloweb.lasso), a great newsfeed.
Take a leisurely stroll through the winding roads of the Slow Food site. I think you'll find it worth the time.
The Official Manifesto
Our century, which began and has developed under the insignia of industrial civilization, first invented the machine and then took it as its life model.
We are enslaved by speed and have all succumbed to the same insidious virus: Fast Life, which disrupts our habits, pervades the privacy of our homes and forces us to eat Fast Foods.
To be worthy of the name, Homo Sapiens should rid himself of speed before it reduces him to a species in danger of extinction.
A firm defense of quiet material pleasure is the only way to oppose the universal folly of Fast Life.
May suitable doses of guaranteed sensual pleasure and slow, long-lasting enjoyment preserve us from the contagion of the multitude who mistake frenzy for efficiency.
Our defense should begin at the table with Slow Food. Let us rediscover the flavors and savors of regional cooking and banish the degrading effects of Fast Food.
In the name of productivity, Fast Life has changed our way of being and threatens our environment and our landscapes. So Slow Food is now the only truly progressive answer.
That is what real culture is all about: developing taste rather than demeaning it. And what better way to set about this than an international exchange of experiences, knowledge, projects?
Slow Food guarantees a better future.
Slow Food is an idea that needs plenty of qualified supporters who can help turn this (slow) motion into an international movement, with the little snail as its symbol.
But the movement encompasses far more than just an appreciation for time-consuming food prep and long, lazy dinners with friends and family, although that's certainly a great and joyous part of it. They have a growing catalogue of publications (http://www.slowfood.com/eng/sf_editore/sf_editore.lasso), a Foundation for Biodiversity (http://www.slowfoodfoundation.com/), run regular, locally organized "convivia" to celebrate according to the principles listed in the manifesto as well as to publicize local produce, and much more I'm overlooking in my highly ironic haste to post this.
I love this organization. Not only does it espouse a philosophy very near and dear to my heart, but its decentralized structure puts its money where its mouth is. Besides, they have taste workshops. And adult education programs like the Master of Food (http://www.slowfood.com/eng/sf_master/sf_master_corsi.lasso) and the University of Gastronomic Sciences. Oh, and then there's Slow Web (http://www.slowfood.com/eng/sf_sloweb/sf_sloweb.lasso), a great newsfeed.
Take a leisurely stroll through the winding roads of the Slow Food site. I think you'll find it worth the time.