[hackerspaces] Let's end the unnecessary joining of the words "food" and "hacking"

[Michel Gallant]

Food hacking is definitely about finding "a quick or inelegant solution to
a particular problem" namely, the problem of not having delicious food.
Seems perfectly consistent to me.


On Mon, Jan 27, 2014 at 1:17 PM, Kevin Mitnick <kevin.mitnick at outlook.com>wrote:

> Hi everyone,
>
> I am going to open this e-mail thread up with the following definition
> from the Oxford dictionary:
>
> "[...] gain unauthorized access to data in a system or computer [...] a
> piece of computer code providing a quick or inelegant solution to a
> particular problem"
>
> Source:
> http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/hack?q=hacking
>
> I then go and look up the definition of "food hacking" and the best I can
> find is this description from Reddit:
>
> "Food hacks is a place to share quick and simple tips on making food that
> has more flavor, more nutritional value, or both"
>
> Source: http://www.reddit.com/r/FoodHacks
>
> Let's look at this real closely here:
>
> - Where does "food hacking" come into play where we're getting
> unauthorized access to something?
> - Where does "food hacking" provide a quick or inelegant solution to a
> particular problem?
> - How does the Reddit definition of "food hacking" fit into these previous
> questions?
> - Why do people who are playing with their food want to be a part of the
> hacking scene? What should we call it?
>
> To address the first question, I am not seeing how "unauthorized access"
> is occurring here. When we go and buy a head of lettuce or a box of cereal,
> likely we've paid for it or if we haven't, it wasn't stolen from some other
> hungry person. All we're doing when we're playing with our food is making
> it, baking it, cooking it, and or eating it.
>
> Does "food hacking" provide an inelegant solution to a particular problem?
> Not really. When you make food you're making it, not hacking it. Perhaps
> "hacking" could apply if you're inelegantly taking apart a steak or some
> sort of fruit or vegetable, but at no point are you providing a solution to
> a problem. Is the invention of modern fast food a "food hack" by that
> standard? Or is the gradual adoption of automated convenience stores that
> provide you with whatever without any human intervention other than your
> own a "food hack"? It does allow for a quick solution to getting your food.
>
> If we look at how Reddit defines a "food hack", we see that we're making
> food with more flavor or better nutritional value. If I go buy some
> Hamburger Helper and add avocado to it or add whey protein to chocolate
> milk, is that "hacking"? What if I make some Betty Crocker cake and add
> whey to that instead? Is that a "food hack"? Because of the vagueness that
> the Reddit definition provides and the definition of what "hacking" is, why
> don't we call it baking, cooking, or mixing? Do we call chefs or my dad
> cooking on the barbecue with his "secret sauce" a food hacker?
>
> I get the impression that people who call themselves "food hackers" call
> themselves that because they want to be considered a part of the "hacker
> movement". Why don't those of you who identify with this moniker just call
> yourself a "cook", "chef", "baker", "maker", or whatever instead? Why don't
> you instead call the food "food" or if you really want it to be associated
> with the hacker scene, "food for hackers"? Is that hard? You're not a
> hacker and you dilute the term for those of us who are hackers.
>
> Food for thought. Do not take offense to this if you find it hits too
> close to home.
>
> Kevin Mitnick
> (May or may not be the Kevin you think I am)
>
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>
>
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