Jane Bennett Assemblage Theory: Agree or Disagree?Before this project I must admit that I never really consciously considered what I ate. To be sure, because of my interest in organic chemistry I knew about most of the basic chemicals that Jane Bennett mentions like “omega three fatty acids” but I didn't realize the full effects they had on the body. I didn’t fully grasp how they interact with my brain in order to “improve cognitive function and mood” (Bennett 137). I was more familiar with eating food as an ascetic pleasure rather than eating it for beneficiary reasons. I knew that because food is made up of chemicals just like ourselves that they must act in some way but I didn't know what. For example, with the French toast I didn't realize that I chose this meal just because it tasted good. I believed that it was just legitimately a breakfast item. I never really thought about what counts as “breakfast food.” Because of Bennett, I am now more interested in the chemistry of food, hoping that through an understanding of what my body needs and what this “edible matter” called food can provide I will make better choices and maybe improve my physical and mental function. As a result of this project I would say that I mostly agree with Jane Bennett on her theory of edible matter having agency in that food can act on us by changing our mood through smell and taste and even through sight. I also agree with her theory that people have adopted a kind of “conquest model” in that they never really connect with what they are eating, just that it is meant to be consumed. We have to realize that food while inanimate still possesses the ability to surprise us through its emergent properties.

Assembling French Toast IngredientsI awoke at 7:00 still processing the content of my dream. Although it wasn’t really a dream for I spend a short amount of time before sleep and before getting out of bed analyzing any problems/questions on my mind. On this day I had been focusing on my recent personal research endeavor of creating a knowledge acquisition system much like what is in The Matrix but without the “downloading” component. Shifting gears, I emerge into the kitchen/ workroom to see my mom working away on the computer paying bills. I spot the Texas Toast lying in wait on the far corner of the counter lying in wait of my arrival. Next I open the fridge to gather the ‘cold’ ingredients of the assemblage, met with a wall of cold air I begin to stir consciously

and focus on the task at hand. Moving slightly quicker now I gather the remaining ingredients and utensils needed to complete the pre-meal assemblage (Figure 1). As I go about my business I ask my mother how she slept and what she has planned for the day. As she responds, the sound of the igniter trying to spark constructs a duality of consciousness of listening to the response and starting to prep the breakfast. Because I don’t want the bread to stick I coat my chosen conduit (a griddle) with an olive oil cooking spray that releases with a muffled hiss and lingers in the air for a fleeting moment only to have its fate shared with that of the pan. Next I prepare the French toast coating; CRACK, the eggshell splits to reveal its

Figure 1 Pre-Meal Assemblage

golden yellow treasure, with a satisfying PLOP it hits the metal tray it is the same with the second egg CRACK...PLOP... as I grab a fork out of my silverware drawer to stir the eggs I realize I've begun to form a rhythm; Screech, Screech Screech, tap, tap, SSSHHH! As the bread makes contact with the hot surface a smell reminiscent of donuts rises in the air FLIP golden brown SSSSHHH! The other side begins to cook. This cacophony of cooking soundsreaches a crescendo as I take the last pieces of cooked toast off the griddle and place it still hot in the sink and spray it with water PSSSSSSS! Steam rolls into the open air, my mom remarks that the toast smells delicious.

Choosing the ToppingsWHOOSH! CRCSH! CLANG! I wrap the plate of French toast in plastic wrap in the hopes of keeping the heat in. Next I decide on toppings; first strawberries I place them in a colander and turn on the faucet PSHHH! The water runs over the berries giving them a shiny gleaming coat. CHOP! CHOP! CHOP! The slices are random in their size and begin to overtake the cutting board SCREEE the knife makes a horrible noise as I scrape the strawberries into a container. Next I grab the maple syrup and

prepare its container SPLORT! It makes a loud exit from its previous home as if it is reluctant to join with the assemblage. It's the same with the

blueberry syrup. I sprinkle cinnamon and brown sugar in other containers and note that the make a noise much like sand or dirt hitting a wall. Before I leave (figure 2) my mother warns me that one of the syrup containers is finicky and that I should place my toppings in a Ziploc bag, at first I am skeptical however this feeling changes to gladness when the meal is eaten later on.

Figure 2 Post Meal Assemblage