Literature & Theory

After analyzing numerous studies on consumption of insects, it is evident that eating insects goes beyond just the physical ingestion. A cognitive disconnect exists between insects and conventional foods considered ‘normal’ by Westerners. Edward Said (1979) explores the idea of who is determining what is ‘normal’ based on the concept of “orientalism”. In addition to Said’s theoretical framework, eating insects will also be explored through the historical lens of aversion, symbolic meaning through cultural identity, and willingness to eat insects.