The Taste of Boredom

Abstract

The idea of food as a source of amusement has been parallel to the experience of eating since gastronomy began. Turning the eating of food into entertainment has encouraged further developments in the culture industries. At the same time, making food a form of amusement means that it can also become a source of boredom. Consumers experience food fatigue just as they experience other forms of sensory and intellectual overload. This article explores the idea that the cultural reworking of food as entertainment also generates new experiences of detachment, boredom, and ennui.