Never Say Never: Emerging Technologies Solve Familiar Problems

摘要

A popcorn kernel that does not pop. A steak that is on the tough side. A low-sodium soup that tastes a bit like dishwater. A strawberry-flavored beverage that does not quite capture the experience of eating fresh strawberries. These are some of the food situations that everyone has probably encountered at some time or another. Some of these annoyances we take for granted, accepting them as part of life much like we accept the occasional flat tire. For example, if you like microwave popcorn, you try not to bite down on the unpopped kernels; otherwise you might have to make a trip to the dentist, which can be expensive. Or if your steak should not be as tender as desired, you might grumble a bit, douse it with some sauce, and eat an extra helping of vegetables (which is not necessarily bad for you). Other problems, however, are more serious. If, for example, you suffer from food allergies caused by peanuts, you avoid eating dishes containing that food; otherwise you may become very ill. Or if you're a diabetic, you modify your diet to not include foods that will trigger an undesirable reaction. Similar considerations also apply if you sufferfrom high blood pressure, obesity, and other health conditions which can have short- or long-term negative consequences.