Snacks and AI

I had a simple idea for this blog, to write about how some daily habits and routines that are de rigeuer to us now, the ones that are so common, differ from habits I grew up with. 

Granted, I’m a senior, an elder, a geezer, call it what you will, and some of you may not recognize these archaic habits of my own childhood, but…

I narrowed the focus to: eating and hygiene. More specifically, the emergence of ‘snacks’ in our culture, and the issue of daily showers.

As a kid growing up in Queens, NY, we did not have ‘snacks.’ When the stomach started growling and gnawing at four o’clock, having not eaten since lunchtime, we were told, “you’ll eat a good dinner then.” We did not wash our hair every day. I had an uncle who claimed it was bad for you (he was right) and that was why he had such thick hair. Mostly it was a Saturday night bath, then my wet hair would be set in curlers which we slept on. Hair dryers were just making the scene, but the version we had was a table model, so you had to sit with your head bent over, at the kitchen table. I guess we were not allowed to have it in the bedroom. Most times I slept with a wet head. Recently at a picnic one of our friends rolled out a story on his phone that he’d input to AI (Artificial Intelligence), about our group of seven. He asked me to read it. We were all surprised. It was amusing, accurate to a degree, though in keeping (I presume) with the misogyny of an AI robot, it assumed the person ‘manning’ the grill was a man.  It was not. I decided to investigate AI for this blog; I typed in: Old Eating Habits: Life Before Snacks and Daily Showers

It took LESS THAN SIXTY SECONDS to produce the below content, including all the headings, just what you see.

A Dive into Simplicity and Resilience

In an era when convenience was not yet a hallmark of human living, eating habits revolved around necessity, tradition, and survival. The modern concept of snacking and the daily ritual of showers were alien to the lives of our ancestors, who embraced a lifestyle dictated by the rhythms of nature and the limitations of available resources.

The Simplicity of Mealtime

In the past, meals were less frequent and far simpler compared to the elaborate spreads and grazing tendencies of today. Instead of indulging in snacks that punctuate modern schedules, people often stuck to two or three meals a day. Breakfast, if it existed at all, was a modest affair—often consisting of bread, porridge, or leftover food from the previous night.

Lunch and dinner were typically the main events, prepared with seasonal ingredients and shaped by local traditions. Meat was a luxury for many, reserved for special occasions, while staples like grains, legumes, and root vegetables formed the backbone of most diets. Food was consumed to fuel labor-intensive lifestyles, and the idea of eating purely for pleasure was rare.

The Absence of Snacks

The concept of snacking—a quick bite between meals—was virtually non-existent. Food scarcity and the labor-intensive nature of food preparation meant that meals were fewer but more substantial. The modern snack aisle brimming with chips, chocolates, and candies would have been unimaginable to those who lived centuries ago.

Hunger between meals was often managed by drinking water, herbal teas, or chewing on raw fruits and vegetables if available.

Hygiene and Mealtime Rituals

The absence of daily showers in olden times also contributed to a very different dining experience. Personal hygiene followed a seasonal or necessity-driven schedule rather than daily habits. Baths were reserved for special occasions, and people relied on simpler practices like washing hands in basins before meals.

The connection between cleanliness and health was often misunderstood, though some traditions emphasized the importance of ritualistic purification. For instance, in many cultures, washing hands before eating was encouraged, even if full-body cleansing was infrequent.

Community and Connection at the Table

Despite the simplicity and scarcity, meals were deeply communal experiences. Families gathered around tables or shared spaces for their meals, fostering bonds and storytelling. Food was not just sustenance but a means of connecting with others, celebrating harvests, or observing religious traditions.

Festivals and feasts were perhaps the only occasions when food abundance was celebrated. Large gatherings brought together entire communities, where dishes were shared and enjoyed collectively. These moments were treasured as they broke the monotony of labor and survival.

Lessons from the Past

The absence of snacks and daily showers in olden times paints a picture of resilience, resourcefulness, and simplicity. While modern conveniences have undeniably made life easier, there is much to learn from the eating habits of our ancestors. Their meals were more mindful, their connection to food more profound, and their communal rituals richer.

As we live in a world of abundance, reflecting on the past reminds us to value our meals, cherish our resources, and embrace the simplicity that once defined human living. It wasn’t a life of convenience, but it was a life of purpose—guided by the rhythms of nature and the enduring bonds of family and community.

My Note: Other than the “olden days” reference and the unrequested ancestral and cultural data, the information is interesting. Overall, what shocked me most was the speed at which the information was spit out.

What does it mean to writers? What do you think?