For me at least, I know why the “on the spectrum” thing grates so much. I’m pretty sure Halberstram (great name, by the way; I have a slightly better haircut) wasn’t doing this, but usually when someone makes a comment pathologist g behavior, it’s a way of trying to show dominance. They’re saying “you’re not just not normal; you’re pathological, as opposed to me, who is the Platonic ideal of normality, and therefore superior to you”. I find that quite off-putting. There are plenty of reasons to criticize me, but saying “OCD!” because I use two squirts of soap instead of one when I was my hands feels like a particularly cheap way to do so. It reveals more about the insecurities of the person saying it than it does about me.
Like you, I've never been tested for autism, and I'd never even taken an online questionaire until just now (AQ). But I've long thought of myself informally as "autism-adjacent."
Thanks for sharing, especially about the autism issue. I too often wonder whether I'm on the "spectrum"--which I know will shock people who know me (not)
About the gloves: what a good idea. I'm going to suggest it to my husband who complains a lot about cold hands, although they don't feel cold to me. Now....if I could find something for me feet....
-I don't recall hearing the term "microhistory" previously, though I apparently enjoy that genre. I've read and enjoyed Salt, but it looks like there are a couple others there to add to my reading list.
-I never before questioned whether you're "on the spectrum" or not, Paul, although I do see now how some of your interests/obsessions fit into the stereotypes of autism. I feel like I check some of those boxes as well, but I've never had any testing done either. As an adult, a formal diagnosis is probably only necessary if you find yourself struggling to navigate your daily life, which does not seem to be the case with you as far as I can tell. I'm certainly no expert, but I like what your friend said: "You’re you, and that’s all that matters.”
Henry Petroski was a great author - as a young engineer I read most of his books and the way he imbued humanity into technical topics was amazing. Great author, sadly passed away last year.
If you’re ever in this part of Canada I’ve got a restaurant-owning friend that does an incredible salumi and a life- changing mortadella. Let me know.
I feel like almost everything in life is on some sort of spectrum. Everything seems more nuanced than black and white. It's ironical that so many folks on the autism spectrum only see things as black and white. Thanks to uniforms, I've often been questioned about my place on the spectrum. Unphased by it.
Do you remember sending me a book after our first meeting in St. Louis,, Paul? "Blackstock's Collection". Were you trying to tell me something?
I totally remember. I wasn't exactly trying to tell you something, but meeting you and seeing the artwork that you brought to the UW gathering made me think of that book, which I thought you'd appreciate as much as I do.
Lived in Hyde Park for several years, I miss walks / runs at Vanderbilt.
The Mile Markers along Route 9 is a subject I have covered myself and always thought Paul would've touched on those considering they start in the city and many (of what remains) are very unique.
While I agree with the general notion, don't overlook survivor's bias. Your toaster was well-built, and it still works. We don't know how many less-well-built toasters there were, because they're long gone.
It's like when I go skiing on a weekday morning: it's just me and some guys in their 70s. Does this mean that I can look forward to skiing in my 70s? In fact, the odds are quite against it.
While this may be true of many products, I've spoken to enough repair guys to know (or at least believe) that toasters were truly built much better up until about the 1970s, when they became free-giveaway enticements to bank customers and began being manufactured overseas. This is why you see so many functional vintage toasters from the 1940s, ’50s, and ’60s, but not from the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s.
Also no longer built as well (again, I'm basing this on discussions with professionals whom I trust): vacuum cleaners.
I had smile at the mention of Glide dental floss because there was a dispenser of the stuff about a foot away from me. I'll add that I started buying Glide only after reading about it in Beer Frame back in '95.
Regarding enshittification, a good example of it might be my early-2000s version of your toaster mentioned a few weeks back. My mother gave it to me because "Your father hates it." I swear, that thing took a minimum of three tosses of bread into the slot before it would lower and begin toasting. And believe me, frustration and anger grew starting with the second needed toss.
Confession time, the AMA’s and culinary items were my favorite part of UW as the years passed by. Love that it’s here as well.
I loved the travelogues
I'm eager for the next (first?) IC culinary corner and road trip report.
Sometimes I just go back and read Culinary Corner posts when I have a few minutes. Makes me want a soft shell crab roll with fresh corn on it. IYKYK.
I like the word "enshittification." Not the actual process. Just the word.
For me at least, I know why the “on the spectrum” thing grates so much. I’m pretty sure Halberstram (great name, by the way; I have a slightly better haircut) wasn’t doing this, but usually when someone makes a comment pathologist g behavior, it’s a way of trying to show dominance. They’re saying “you’re not just not normal; you’re pathological, as opposed to me, who is the Platonic ideal of normality, and therefore superior to you”. I find that quite off-putting. There are plenty of reasons to criticize me, but saying “OCD!” because I use two squirts of soap instead of one when I was my hands feels like a particularly cheap way to do so. It reveals more about the insecurities of the person saying it than it does about me.
Like you, I've never been tested for autism, and I'd never even taken an online questionaire until just now (AQ). But I've long thought of myself informally as "autism-adjacent."
Thanks for sharing, especially about the autism issue. I too often wonder whether I'm on the "spectrum"--which I know will shock people who know me (not)
About the gloves: what a good idea. I'm going to suggest it to my husband who complains a lot about cold hands, although they don't feel cold to me. Now....if I could find something for me feet....
Great questions everyone!
-I don't recall hearing the term "microhistory" previously, though I apparently enjoy that genre. I've read and enjoyed Salt, but it looks like there are a couple others there to add to my reading list.
-I never before questioned whether you're "on the spectrum" or not, Paul, although I do see now how some of your interests/obsessions fit into the stereotypes of autism. I feel like I check some of those boxes as well, but I've never had any testing done either. As an adult, a formal diagnosis is probably only necessary if you find yourself struggling to navigate your daily life, which does not seem to be the case with you as far as I can tell. I'm certainly no expert, but I like what your friend said: "You’re you, and that’s all that matters.”
Two thoughts
Henry Petroski was a great author - as a young engineer I read most of his books and the way he imbued humanity into technical topics was amazing. Great author, sadly passed away last year.
If you’re ever in this part of Canada I’ve got a restaurant-owning friend that does an incredible salumi and a life- changing mortadella. Let me know.
I feel like almost everything in life is on some sort of spectrum. Everything seems more nuanced than black and white. It's ironical that so many folks on the autism spectrum only see things as black and white. Thanks to uniforms, I've often been questioned about my place on the spectrum. Unphased by it.
Do you remember sending me a book after our first meeting in St. Louis,, Paul? "Blackstock's Collection". Were you trying to tell me something?
Two people have given me that book. I wonder why?
I totally remember. I wasn't exactly trying to tell you something, but meeting you and seeing the artwork that you brought to the UW gathering made me think of that book, which I thought you'd appreciate as much as I do.
I know. Just being a bit cheeky.
If I were to ever get a tattoo, it would be his pencil, Sharpie, and crayon on the last page.
Maybe consider taking a trip up to Hyde Park, NY to visit the FDR Library! The Culinary Institute is also right down the road.
Lived in Hyde Park for several years, I miss walks / runs at Vanderbilt.
The Mile Markers along Route 9 is a subject I have covered myself and always thought Paul would've touched on those considering they start in the city and many (of what remains) are very unique.
Not aware of these mile markers. Can you please send me some pics/info/etc.? plukas64@gmail.com
Re: enshittification
While I agree with the general notion, don't overlook survivor's bias. Your toaster was well-built, and it still works. We don't know how many less-well-built toasters there were, because they're long gone.
It's like when I go skiing on a weekday morning: it's just me and some guys in their 70s. Does this mean that I can look forward to skiing in my 70s? In fact, the odds are quite against it.
While this may be true of many products, I've spoken to enough repair guys to know (or at least believe) that toasters were truly built much better up until about the 1970s, when they became free-giveaway enticements to bank customers and began being manufactured overseas. This is why you see so many functional vintage toasters from the 1940s, ’50s, and ’60s, but not from the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s.
Also no longer built as well (again, I'm basing this on discussions with professionals whom I trust): vacuum cleaners.
OK, I’ll agree with you on these.
No dude you wear those black fingerless gloves same reason as me—they fuckin ROCK!
I had smile at the mention of Glide dental floss because there was a dispenser of the stuff about a foot away from me. I'll add that I started buying Glide only after reading about it in Beer Frame back in '95.
Regarding enshittification, a good example of it might be my early-2000s version of your toaster mentioned a few weeks back. My mother gave it to me because "Your father hates it." I swear, that thing took a minimum of three tosses of bread into the slot before it would lower and begin toasting. And believe me, frustration and anger grew starting with the second needed toss.
Got to meet Petroski once at a small event during my time on the faculty in Toledo. An interesting guy.