On writing The Seed Vault - part 2
A couple of beta-readers had wondered if The Seed Vault, my novel about the end of farming, had a hidden agenda. They started reading it tentatively, dreading a forced message about how meat is bad for the environment, or another food-based ideology beckoning under disguise. I’m sorry to disappoint people who fear such a message, or those who are passionate about spreading it, but … it’s just a story.
There is no message.
I might have strong opinions about sustainability, and I certainly have to make choices everyday about what to eat, but my opinions have little to do with the novel. As often as possible, I bring in characters who have very different opinions from mine and give them the chance to speak for themselves. These characters are as alluring (or more) as those with whom I would typically side with. I don’t judge them, don’t manipulate them, and don’t chisel characters or plot to suit my own ideas on a particular topic.
Novels have a life of their own, preferably as contradictory and complex as real life.
Nevertheless, for those interested in food and sustainability, here are a few further sources of inspiration.
The Borlaug paradox. In a nutshell, the unforeseen consequences of revolutionising agriculture and improving crop yields (Norman Borlaug led the Green Revolution in 1950-1970).
This article in Scientific American, about eating healthily and sustainably.
The data repository by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, where you can look up data for the last decades on production and trade of crops and livestock, including prices, emissions, investment, balance sheets etc. Truly amazing! Ever wondered which country is the top producer for bananas? Go ahead and find out.
A selection of photos from Hungry Planet, published in Time magazine. I love looking at these photos! You can imagine characters, habits, conversations, stories, just by looking at what people eat.
Know any other interesting articles or books about the future of food?
Drop me an email about it.
