The digital table: A radical proposal for inclusivity

Throughout history, the idea of sitting down and sharing a meal together has been a common theme. In the Greco-Roman world, the tradition of the Symposium comes to mind. It was a social occasion for men to get together to debate or celebrate, certainly to enjoy each other’s company. The most famous symposium, I suppose, would be that enshrined in western literature as the Socratic dialogues of Plato. Surely you can think of other famous examples. For example, if one mentions the “land of the pure,” Mughal cooking comes to mind for many Westerners; and, notably, Pakistan’s four regional specialties when it comes to great cuisine. Of course in a global environment, we all have different customs and traditions as well as different table manners; of course, food utensil etiquette varies, but arguably one can assert that the family that eats together stays together.