CS: Crystal Singer Foodstuffs: Synthesised, or Imports?

[Kath]

A bit of a galactic-economics vs. fussy eating thread for you today.

The Crystal Singers are the gourmands of their universe, and enjoy a VERY diverse range of different foodstuffs - I think this is Anne's only series with a realistic level of varied diets (unlike Pern where everyone seems to subsist on meatrolls, bubbly pies and barrels of salt fish from Tillek...)


BUT: Are the singers so fussy that they insist on imports, or do all of these different delicacies get synthesised?

And what's the raw ingredients if they are? [Soylent Green? ]


Thoughts?

[Cheryl]

You know, that's a really good question!

I can't believe that all the gourmet food enjoyed by the singers is imported. Even given the incredible wealth of singers and the Heptite Guild, I would think it'd be cost-prohibitive to import all the various delectibles -- not to mention problematic for preventing spoilage of certain items. We know that crystals are so uniquely valuable that they command outrageous prices, but there must be some limitations on the luxuries that can be afforded by the Heptite Guild, mustn't there?

On the other hand, if sythesis was possible, then wouldn't every planet/restaurant be able to offer the delicacies at reasonable prices?

I would propose a compromise of some things being imported, some things being cultivated locally when possible, and perhaps some synthesis with the raw ingredients needed being sufficiently rare and/or the technology being sufficiently difficult and expensive that it is not simply not affordable to the masses.

[Pam]

They do farm on Ballybran, in North Ballinteer specifically. And, as I just looked over the food list, very few of the foods they eat seem to be meat based, except when Killa is on Optheria. So, I think it's entirely possible they could be farming the vegetables the Heptite Guild is eating on Ballybran. Or making them from vegetable matter that they've grown.

[Sandi]

I think many "rejects" confined to Ballybran do a good bit of farming. But I also think they import a fair amount of foodstuffs as well. I wouldn't want to guess at percentages or anything like that, but I think some of both would be my answer. I don't remember any mention of food synthesizers but they are a possibility as well. But not Soylent Green I hope!

[GinnyStar]

Soylent Green ? What that?

[Kath]

Originally Posted by GinnyStar

Soylent Green ? What that?

Oh, my!

I don't know whether to spoil you, or sit you down in front of the movie and wait for your reaction to the Big Secret.


If you can, go out this weekend and rent the movie. It's a classic. It'll answer your question, and then some.


Alternatively, you could just look it up on google or wikipedia...

[Sandi]

........or read the book. Definitely a classic!

[GinnyStar]

I well have check it out later. Now that I can get to my local libary without running into constriction, and try out my new tip.

[Gwina]

Haven't seen the sci-fi classic but I wonder if those wafers are anything like the stuff Luke was carrying around with him on Dagoba when he meets Yoda. haha. Anyhoo, I think it's a great question. For some reason I really want some milsi stalks right now. It seems with all the water for ships and such there would be a certain amount of ease in producing and transporting their own foodstuffs. With fresh produce available on site it's no wonder they have such healthy bodies. I know the symbiont is the culprit but still, with all the processed food we eat we might as well be confined to a huge compound or space ship for the good it does to our bodies. :cough: sorry...that's my soap box lately. Moving on... Course I always just imagined food to appear upon beautiful platters instantly via food synthesizers or whatnot (dialing up food is mentioned.) It never took more than Killas shower break for food to appear in the office of Lanzecki and Lars. :sniff: I know that my addition doesn't shed much light on how the food is produced though. oops. They're definetely picky eaters! With good reason. They seem very in tune with what is needed for them to well, ok, survive. Forgetting to eat does nothing for overall health obviously. The technology seems up to par. I think they have great taste! That seems a simple way of putting it.

[ghost8772]

well, one of the lowest paying jobs on Ballybran was caterer's assistant. Now unless that was a specific position akin to printer tech, its likely the foods are prepared locally, despite there being no mention of kitchens, only distribution units. until you guys mentioned it I hadn't really noticed that a lot of the foods eaten except for fish, were heavily leaning on the vegetable/breads cereals origin. Although what Aldeberan paste was nobody saw fit to enlighten us. Possibly a variant of your Soylent Green reference Kath?

[Sandi]

I thought it was more like Marmite.

[P'ter]

Try 'Gentleman's Relish'!

[ghost8772]

well, ladyfingers, and girl scout cookies always come to mind.

[GinnyStar]

From Killashandra, fried Malva beans. which are white, don't say if they are grown on or imported.

[eann]

And of course, wherever Killashandra is, there is good butter.

[Cheryl]

*snorts*

[Greenrider Tresa]

hehe

[Joz]

Originally Posted by P'ter

Try 'Gentleman's Relish'!

I didn't think that meant something you et (unless you're refering to a consumption of a different kind?) Although Killashandra did kind of become a Gentleman's Relish...if you want to look at it from a different perspective....