Snowfall in Kinshasa is a weblog written by Kevin Cannon, who also designs websites and helps people calculate the golden ratio.
This is version 2.0 of the blog. Version 1.0 was a cataclysmic failure and is not to be spoken of. Articles, links and photos will be posted sporadically.
Copyright © 2009 Kevin Cannon.
Scientists are continually improving artificial organs. From the very simple jellyfish-like bladder, to things as complex as the beating heart. Of course, we’re not there yet, but it’s starting to get close. And that got me thinking; What does that mean for the future of eating?
When an artificial organ becomes more efficient, more powerful, and more long-lasting than its biological counterpoint, it only makes sense to swap out your organs. The new ones wont break down and wont give up. Eventually all the organs in the body except for the brain will be replaced. I’m not sure that we’ll ever fully solve that one, but I’ll remain optimistic. Even bones will be replaced by unbreakable alloys.
As time goes on, a digestive system becomes more unnecessary. An energy source can be injected directly into the body, through some kind of port system. Maybe we’ll be run on solar power. Whatever the case, the only use for food will be to fulfill a culture driven by ingesting the stuff. And that makes me very happy.
Because it means that we’ll be able to separate digestion from absorption. When that happens, “you are what you eat” no longer holds true. You can eat thirty six chocolate cakes, followed by a spit roast apple-in-mouth hog. For breakfast. Praise science.
In the near future though, I’m hoping for something else. A complete separation of nutrient value and taste. Vegetarian food is healthy, but who are they trying to kid? It tastes like shit. All of it. Hopefully using food chemistry, we’ll be able to create something packed with vitamins and other goodies, but tasting like a hamburger with donuts for buns. Nom.
This entry was posted on Sunday, November 15th, 2009 and is filed under Articles.