Lessons from Mollusks
Who You Calling Snotty?
You didn’t change. But some people judge you differently.
And that’s good.
Perception vs reality.
(Like when you retake a standardized test after a prep class and you earn a higher score. Your IQ didn’t go up, but you’re perceived as smarter.)
Think about mollusks: oysters, mussels, clams. They were considered slimy, snotty, dirty bottom feeders, the “boogers of the sea.” Now they’re called filter feeders, credited with “filter[ing] out and consum[ing} huge amounts of phytoplankton, as well as bacteria and other particles, thereby making an enormous contribution to maintaining water quality.”
And eating them is both nutrious and sustainable. “Shellfish like oysters, mussels, and clams are quickly turning into the rockstars of seafood sustainability, prized for being easy to farm and having a minimal ecological impact.”
Recently, I wrote a micro story lauding oysters — and mocking those who scorn them. Check it out: https://theclosedeyeopen.com/mayas-micros-ed-34/
Thank you for reading!!
What do you think about clams, oysters, & mussels… or perception vs reality?
One person's snot is another's... well, I'm not quite sure what but I've learned to re-evaluate and not be too stuck in my perspective. I eventually learned to love oysters despite a lifelong resistance to clams (because of the aforementioned "snottiness". Interestingly, oysters often change gender, with many starting as males and then becoming females, and sometimes back again. Talk about changing your perspective!
Liz, I love the thought that the boogers of today might be the rock stars of tomorrow. I’ve often pondered how we celebrate different things at different times, and it’s a bit of a lottery whether the same person lands on this earth as a booger or a rock star. Thank you for sharing this.