@joe in Esperanto we say antaŭhieraŭ (combination of "antaŭ" = "before" and "hieraŭ" = "yesterday")

QOTD 9/29/2026

Pacific Islanders in Guam and American Samoa used to enjoy nutritious local staples like root crops, fresh vegetables and lean meats. Then, in the late 1800s US colonizers arrived with unhealthy food products in tow. The introduction of the “Western diet” - high in sugar, loaded with fats, and made up of ultra-processed carbohydrates - altered the region’s cuisine.

This nutrition transition on the Pacific Islands accelerated after World War II. In the wake of the war’s destruction, native Pacific Islanders faced severe food shortages. Living off locally grown produce was no longer enough. Instead, Pacific Islanders were forced toward Western products that were shelf stable, including canned meats like Spam. Eating processed foods became necessary for survival, but firmly established unhealthy eating patterns. Imported products now overwhelmingly occupy the supermarket shelves with cheaper price tags, which leaves traditional foods by the wayside.

To assume Pacific Islanders can simply transition back to eating local, healthy ingredients ignores the lasting impact of colonized diets. Since World War II, Pacific Islanders have incorporated Spam and other processed foods into their local cuisine. Expecting Pacific Islanders to change their diet because it’s unhealthy neglects the reality that these foods have become part of their culture.

Sara Mar, “A Colonizer’s Diet” (May 11, 2021)

this article also explains how US policy excludes Pacific Islanders in Guam and American Samoa from SNAP and allocates them less money to buy nutritious food

#quote #quotes #food

start of my QOTD (quote of the day) thread. I’m gonna try reading something every day and quoting something interesting or thought-provoking here. inclusion does not imply total endorsement

@skinnylatte I have talked to a lot of stem people who think the social sciences and humanities are just based on political grievances and vibes and have no real methodologies to speak of

gonna try reading something every day. at least one article or chapter of something. starting a thread shortly to keep me motivated

I might start a thread of articles etc I read and just post random quotes about what interests me at the time

@hopeful have you read the original substack post

fuck marry kill: protestant, catholic, orthodox

I should start a thread of all my personal conspiracy theories

@casinofem fharmers

all languages are constructed actually

@ug @letsbeworms I remember when Chobani made a solarpunk yogurt commercial. solarpunk is toothless and easy to co-opt because it's based on utopian aesthetics from tumblr and a refusal to address the realities of collapse

deflock gc against surveillance... on discord...