Technology
Technological advances have impacted every area of human existence on almost every area of the planet, with few exceptions. Nearly every aspect of daily mundane life is affected by technology, including communication and transportation. However, one area of daily life is even more impacted and transformed than others. That area is food and eating. Food production has changed dramatically since the Industrial Age. Indeed, since the invention of the cotton gin, all agricultural practices have depended on technologies that have gone far beyond ox carts and donkeys. Mechanical food production increased food outputs, and greater yields have subsequently improved health and livelihoods for large groups of people. However, the fusion of technology and food production has not been completely positive. There are many negative repercussions of using technology at every stage of food production, and the integration of technology and food proves political and highly controversial. Problems such as pesticide use, genetically modified organisms (GMO), and industrialized animal food production plague modern society. Overpopulation makes is necessary to keep food yields high, but ethical standards are calling into question the need for some technology. Technology has had both a positive and a negative impact on food and food production.
Overall, technology has had a positive impact on such things as agricultural yield, crop diversity, distribution, food preservation, and cooking technologies. Each of these areas continues to be improved via the use of new technologies. Technology has allowed for greater control over environmental forces, making it possible to withstand problems such as drought or pests. Famines are less likely now, not only because of the introduction of chemical and irrigation technologies but also because of food distribution channels related to transportation technologies. Because areas that would otherwise suffer without food can now enjoy...
The use of trains, planes, and automobiles to distribute food has made it possible to have fish that was caught in Japan or the Mediterranean on the same day. This has made it so that people are familiar with new ingredients, and are more open to other cultures. Overall, transportation technology has improved human relationships with food. New technology has improved the cultural dimension of food. For instance, there is far less xenophobia now related to food, due to the media promoting shows like Anthony Bourdain. Because of technology, Americans can eat British cheese, and British consumers can eat avocados grown in Mexico. The importance of learning about food through new media like the Internet cannot be underestimated. There is greater respect for other cultures due to new technology.
In addition to changing channels of distribution, technology also changes the way food is made throughout the world. People used to need to cook over a wood fire, and now, a number of electric and gas appliances are used. There are still foods produced in old-fashioned methods, but generally all people now have access to basic cooking technologies in their homes. It was not long ago that people did not cook much in their homes due to technology limitations. Similarly, refrigeration has altered the nature of food storage and makes it possible for people to store food. While not all people in the world have access to these technologies, they are changing the relationship between people and their food. What was once only possible in fine dining establishments is not possible also at home.
Although the general impact of technology on food has been positive, the negative impact of technology on food production has been the subject of recent…
