FD Day 4: Flip Side of a Coin

So, the previous night's dinner had me so stuffed that I was barely hungry for the entire day yesterday--something quite impossible if you know me well enough. All I had after I woke up was coffee, some cereal with milk, some Cheetos, a tablespoon of PB, more coffee (at work), and 3 almonds. Hmm. Ok end of post.

Not. :P

Obviously, me being me, I have more things to say that just that.

Some years ago an American friend and I had a conversation about food wastage and it went something like this:

Friend: When I was little, my mom always reminded me of how people in China were starving and that I shouldn't waste food.

Me: Oh that's funny! I was told the same thing, except they were from Africa instead of China. But it didn't end there - I was told if I didn't clean up my plate I'd be sent to Africa.

Friend: HAHAHAHAA! So that explains your habit of needing to either finish up your food or pack them to go?

Me: Well. If you think about it, it makes sense to not waste food, doesn't it. Somewhere in the world, someone is dying of hunger as we're speaking now.

Friend: Hmm. (long pause) How about another perspective: your not wasting food right now - does it save any lives out there who are famished and in need of nutrition? If not, what difference does it make?

And that was that. Same context, same situation, just seen from a different angle. I've never thought of it that way, and never would have. Yet, in a way, my friend's logic does makes sense, albeit in a very crude, business-minded, point-blank way. Indeed, one can argue that if there's no added value in doing something, then there is no reason in doing it. So... then what? Does that mean we shouldn't try be more prudent if it doesn't provide any immediate benefit to others? If you ask me, I'd still vouch for the conservation of food, or anything for that matter - for the very simple reason that my conservation of resources doesn't bring anyone any harm either. So instead of asking, why do it, I'd ask, well why the hell not?

Everything has two or more sides to it. I'll end this post by sharing a picture that might be familiar to you, a picture that I reflexively thought of every time I'm about to waste food. You might have seen the Pulitzer-winning photo below taken by Kevin Carter, or not. It's just a picture, but it could mean a thousand different things to a million other people. What's it mean to you?