Wednesday, July 24, 2002

TOAST

What is toast--the product of a process or the process itself? That is, does bread become
toast (and change its identity somehow), or do we toast bread and thereby only modify its
character slightly? Is toast breat that has been processed (toasted) or changed (made into
toast)?

Let's assume we start with a slice of packaged white bread. The question is--do we end up with a
variation of this piece of sliced bread or something that is different. In terms of the dynamics
of American culture, I would argue most of think that toast is different from bread itself. That is,
the process involves a major transformation (in the same way that grinding a steak turns it
into hamburger). We believe in the power of change and in our ability to change our
circumstances and status.

More on Toast later!