tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22657443.post2578606221114326852..comments2023-12-31T03:18:37.403-06:00Comments on "E pur si muove!": The Gourmet is Dead, Long Live the "Foodie"Lester Hunthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14746157071827337723noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22657443.post-28913825631913829672008-12-19T12:42:00.000-06:002008-12-19T12:42:00.000-06:00Speaking a little to your last point: "... can qua...Speaking a little to your last point: "... can quality and democracy coexist?"<BR/><BR/>Popular or mass movements tend to generate new ruling classes; if a movement endures a while, its leadership may develop into an entrenched and hereditary "aristocracy"; if the movement gains control of a State, they may be top dogs for a long time. The Nomenklatura in the Soviet Union is a prime example.<BR/><BR/>A privileged New Class in an allegedly egalitarian or classless society seems to mimic "sophisticated", "aristocratic" habits and tastes, or develop equivalents. Such a New Class differs from the old aristocracies by claiming to be unostentatious, mere "servants of the people": royal robes are shunned in favor of military tunics or business suits, wasteful royal banquets are transformed into necessary State banquets, and so on.<BR/><BR/>So, going around Robin's Hood's barn-workers and factory-workers, we may arrive at a democracy in name only, with new leaders setting new standards, effectively having thrown out democracy and gained a new menu.<BR/><BR/>Till the Devil whispers behind the leaves: "It's clever, but is it quality?"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22657443.post-53055024821314264132008-12-19T12:14:00.000-06:002008-12-19T12:14:00.000-06:00Agreed on most points but one.The category of 'foo...Agreed on most points but one.<BR/><BR/>The category of 'foodie' may superfically be set up to give and essence of that 'of the people' flavor yet if you delve further into the reality you'll find this is not true at all.<BR/><BR/>At its core, being a foodie is to be aspirational. Aspirational with a 'of the people' spin.<BR/><BR/>In other words, aiming at Haute but simpering 'no!' behind one's hand while doing so.<BR/><BR/>:)<BR/>(That is a smile not a simper.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com