I have noticed that a number of advertisements these days
purport to offer a higher degree of convenience in our lives. Increasingly
however, convenience is becoming no more than a synonym for quicker or faster.
A mnemonic for convenient these days is a TV dinner, sold in a moulded plastic
compartmentalized tray. Unwrap – microwave – eat. No need even to ladle the
food from its serving container to a plate to eat. Airline meals are the
ultimate TV dinner. Yet we lament the
passing of great airline service with real silverware and food served in
porcelain. We explain that away by admitting the cost and revenue pressures on
airlines. Airlines are caught between trying to deliver ever lower fares in the
face of increasing costs.
The TV dinner is the anti-thesis of a civilized meal, where
plating and presentation and the art of serving are a large part of the dining
experience.
In our ever faster lives, we aspire to the leisure and style
of an expertly prepared and well-presented dinner. Yet we are moving ever
closer to fast food and junk food for its convenience.
I had written some time ago that popular TV programs are an
indicator of what we aspire to, but have difficulty in obtaining. Behold the
popularity of Masterchef as a prime time TV show.
1 comment:
Shiv, when do you return ? Will you be back by the 28th. Smses not going through. :)
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