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(one of four food scenarios on the topic of food futures)

After a series of extreme weather events, economic crises and pandemics, it was time for a disciplined descent. The local, national and transnational institutions from the top-down and grassroots initiatives from the bottom-up began regulating and curbing excess in all aspects of life, from population control to the amount and type of food consumed. The regulatory system has imposed taxes and fines enforced by lifestyle police: production, distribution and consumption of food are highly constrained and regulated. This is the heyday of certification bureaucracy and the micro-accountability mafia. People and products are traceable and information-rich, making use of the advanced internet of things. The “quantified self” has entered into the supply chain, making it possible for personalised diets and medicine to be delivered. Strict diets are followed as closely as religions. Cuisine vegetal emerged as one of the least strict, most common regimes, initially as a strategy to lower meat production. Meat and fish are still regularly consumed, but often rationed and appearing as a luxury product.

Where top-down regulations aren’t effective, social enforcement is: neighbours and friends will report misconduct “for your own good” and punishments are readily accepted as character building. Supply chains are as short as possible, creating small community enclaves with strict immigration procedures. In these enclaves cradle-to-cradle practices are created and protected through customs and rituals. Seed exchanges are authorised and regulated through transnational social networks. Bali (with its traditional agricultural system) and Switzerland are depicted as ideal social organisations where community, religion and economy are tightly intertwined. Food is produced using sustainable farming technologies and ultra-optimised agro-ecology and smart feedback systems. The food supply chain is contained in a circular economy with recycling seen as a highly valued activity. Outside of the supply chain, environmental protection and rewilding are used to conserve what little non-polluted environment is left.

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  • future_fabulators/food_scenarios_discipline.1397827105.txt.gz
  • Last modified: 2014-04-18 13:18
  • by maja