What the World Needs Now
To watch Anthony Bourdain travel shows
Hello Lovely.
What I thought I'd write about today (summer-y stuff) seems insignificant compared to what’s going on in the world. Writing about dogs and summer felt like I was burying my head in the sand and not acknowledging the chaos and suffering that’s happening. And that just doesn’t feel right.
What I think the world needs now (myself included) is to be reminded that we humans have more in common than not.
I’m betting we all know someone who is affected by what is making the news headlines—both domestically and internationally.
When I stumbled upon this quote from the late Anthony Bourdain, I thought it was not only timeless, but timely. I have read it countless times over the past few weeks.
You’ve probably read it too at some point or heard him speak these words on one of his travel shows — which we should all watch again, in no particular order. He really did bring the world together one meal at a time.
“Before I set out to travel this world, 12 years ago, I used to believe that the human race as a whole was basically a few steps above wolves.
That given the slightest change in circumstances, we would all, sooner or later, tear each other to shreds. That we were, at root, self-interested, cowardly, envious and potentially dangerous in groups. I have since come to believe – after many meals with many different people in many, many different places – that though there is no shortage of people who would do us harm, we are essentially good.
That the world is, in fact, filled with mostly good and decent people who are simply doing the best they can. Everybody, it turns out, is proud of their food (when they have it). They enjoy sharing it with others (if they can). They love their children. They like a good joke. Sitting at the table has allowed me a privileged perspective and access that others, looking principally for “the story,” do not, I believe, always get...
I am not a journalist. I am not a foreign correspondent. I am, at best, an essayist and enthusiast. An amateur. I hope to show you what people are like at the table, at home, in their businesses, at play. And when and if, later, you read about or see the places I’ve been on the news, you’ll have a better idea of who, exactly, lives there…
People, wherever they live, are not statistics. They are not abstractions. Bad things happen to good people all the time. When they do, hopefully, you’ll have a better idea who, and what, on a human scale, is involved.
I’m not saying that sitting down with people and sharing a plate is the answer to world peace. Not by a long shot. But it can’t hurt.“
— Anthony Bourdain ( 1956-2018 ) —
