Re:The Strange Case of Dr. Ho Man Kwok (2019)
by strogonoff on Monday December 21, 2020 @01:48AM
(#25492667)
Perhaps it would help knowing that dislike for MSG flavor enhancer is also a thing in other countries besides the US, and can happen without any exposure to Chinese food whatsoever.
It is justified with following reasoning. If:
1. I trust that my body will enjoy the taste of well-prepared food from healthy fresh ingredients, and will inform me when I ate enough.
2. MSG makes anything taste better.
It follows that:
3. With MSG added, my body can be fooled into eating unhealthy food and it can be fooled into wanting more food than it needs.
4. All else equal, I will assume that a chef who does not use MSG is more skilful than a chef who does.
This logic may well be faulty, superstitious, misinformed, etc., but what it is not is racist.
(Addendum: “Chinese restaurant syndrome” is a different thing though, and unlike basic distaste for MSG it does give off an antagonistic vibe. It’s interesting that it happens in the US of all places—I bet many people around the world associate MSG first and foremost with snacks from American brands like Pringles.)
It is justified with following reasoning. If:
1. I trust that my body will enjoy the taste of well-prepared food from healthy fresh ingredients, and will inform me when I ate enough.
2. MSG makes anything taste better.
It follows that:
3. With MSG added, my body can be fooled into eating unhealthy food and it can be fooled into wanting more food than it needs.
4. All else equal, I will assume that a chef who does not use MSG is more skilful than a chef who does.
This logic may well be faulty, superstitious, misinformed, etc., but what it is not is racist.
(Addendum: “Chinese restaurant syndrome” is a different thing though, and unlike basic distaste for MSG it does give off an antagonistic vibe. It’s interesting that it happens in the US of all places—I bet many people around the world associate MSG first and foremost with snacks from American brands like Pringles.)