We have two fundamental and opposite approaches to the world – noticing similarities and noticing differences.
When we notice similarities we generalise and classify. When this is used as the basis of mass marketing and consumption we end up with an awful lot of sameness – each High Street (or mall) has the same shops, the big chains squeeze out the local family businesses. In town after town in France I see abandoned “charcuteries”, “boulangeries” and so on. A Main Street in my home town of Stirling is lined with empty shops.
When we notice difference we see uniqueness and diversity. Nature thrives on diversity and abhors monocultures. These gourds in a market are stunningly beautiful for both of those reasons – their individuality and their diversity.
I read recently that one of the big supermarket chains in France has started promoting ‘misshapen fruit and vegetables’ along with leaflets encouraging shoppers to buy the ‘funny looking’ foods, they are selling them at 30% less! Woo hoo! There is hope!
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