human slaves in an insect nation

[atommickbrane]

Did I mention that the library is brilliant? Inbetween locating my desired book and taking it to the checkout, I happened upon a dusty gold hardback entitled "Insects as Human Food" by Dr. W JUNK! (Well, the (c) is Dr. JUNK, the name on the text is something like Rosenheimer, but JUNK is a much better last name

Comments

[atommickbrane]

That's what I thought! Turns out that termites produce a lot of oil and you can make termite soap! Although it is pointed out that "there is not a lot of commercial interest in this product".

The book is very much of colonial times if that helps in adressing "who eats insects". Lots of studies of aborigines seem to be in the coming chapters - the writer seems pretty convinced that Australian aborigines have been "civilized" (his scare quotes) by 1951 (presumably this leads to 'not eating insects' or 'eat less insects', or indeed 'eat insects in a differing non-traditional way' etc etc), but looks like it draws on quite a lot of older (20s ish from quick glance) ethnographic studies.

[atommickbrane]

I think that might be the next chapter! I skipped ahead a little and there is a menu from er, late 1880s I think encouraging people to make 'fried soles in woodlouse sauce' etc. The author comments 'this is hardly for those on a budget', or words to that effect.

I just burst out laughing in Pret buying my sandwich at adding termites to beer => BUGWEISER!

[pippaalice]

what an amazing book. Frying termites leaves them highly calorific. ;)

[atommickbrane]

Another termite analysis (not sure if this was fried or another type) gave them a constitution of 44% fat!

[atommickbrane]

They do seem high in protein although this article sez 'zero fat' which is a bit "huh".

BUGS!

(I wonder if I am keen on this because I have been reading lots of Calvin & Hobbes lately).

[pippaalice]

Meep! Maybe I should try a bug. If it just died or something they it's probably vegetarian, right?

[squirmelia]

Being vegetarian, I decided not to eat termites when on holiday in Costa Rica, but other people did. I am happy to participate in experiments that involve lacing things with balsamic vinegar though.

[atommickbrane]

He also thinks insects are very handy when you can't get meat! A lack of animal protein seems to be a worrying concern for nutrionists.

[squirmelia]

I've been reading papers on Human-Food Interaction, as a change from Human-Computer Interaction. No termites mentioned so far though, bah.

[hoshuteki]

Dear me, yet MORE experiments involving Budweiser? Still, if it involves attempting to inject any taste into it, then it must be worth trying!

[atommickbrane]

MIT can't be all that great if their main choice of beer is BUGWEISER.

I EAT INSECTS SINCE MY BIRTHDAY

[dubdobdee]

lo(fat)custs
flizer
sPIEders
beerwigs

ER ER

Re: I EAT INSECTS SINCE MY BIRTHDAY

[atommickbrane]

LoCUSTARDS surely!

BeerWIGGES

Re: I EAT INSECTS SINCE MY BIRTHDAY

[catsgomiaow]

Beertles? BUTTER(pies)flies?