Soylent: The Future Frugal Food Source

The Matrix tests philosophical assumptions and the idea of external actors on our life. The film paints a dystopian society full of technological advances and constraints. This world needs the nutritional value in food, but doesn’t have the production capability. A gray, porridge-like substance is developed to handle these concerns; meeting the daily value needs. The implications for our society can be disturbing and inspiring. What would it be like to have a single food, meal replacement?

In a world of extremes – one side dying of starvation and the other obese – the importance of nutrition and meal planning is increasing. This begs alarming questions about farming, dietary needs, education, and world poverty (to name a few). There are tremendous income gaps and inequalities in the world – many are rooted in (physically and financially) accessible food and water.

Now, a company and crowdfunding project wants to introduce a better alternative; they’re calling it, Soylent. The organization is comprised of a group of tech savvy entrepreneurs that are likely looking for a nice payday, but also to fulfill some incredible nutritional needs. They have both local and international goals for their product, too.

50% of the food produced globally is wasted, and food makes for the largest component of municipal garbage. If not for this waste there would be plenty of food to adequately nourish everyone alive. 2 million people are killed annually by smoke inhalation from indoor cooking stoves alone. 70% of americans are overweight or obese. 1 in 7 people globally are malnourished, and 1 in 3 in the developing world suffer from deficiency. Countless others are living hand-to-mouth, subsistence farming, hindering economic development. Even in the developed world, agriculture is the most dangerous industry to work in by occupational injuries and illnesses, and obesity is on the rise. (Soylent.me)

What started as a kooky pipe dream turned into a full-scale manufacturing marvel. Soylent and people behind it are already prepping mass deliveries for December 2013.

This masterpiece of nutritional hacking will cost approximately $2.83 a meal (when buying a month-long supply). Moreover, the meals will provide a wealth of diverse nutrients, aimed at giving the body everything it needs. The proposed ingredients can be found here.

With potential to become more affordable, Soylent has a terrific business opportunity. The company raised over $1 million in a brilliant round of crowdfunding. But just in case you’re wondering whether the founders believe in their product:

Rhinehart lived solely off Soylent for a month at the beginning of the year, and now he’s probably relying on it for about 80 percent of his intake. (TechCrunch)

Soylent is sure to save people money – if it’s healthy and stays affordable. If you’re on the go a lot, this drink may be your solution for staying healthy, keeping a normal weight, and saving your budget. Food costs are generally my most expensive category – beyond rent. If I could supplement this meal replacement product into my diet, my bank account would be very happy.

The great news is that you needn’t wait to try it. A site attached to Soylent offers a variety of different recipes and options for the prospective user. Just go to http://diy.soylent.me/recipes and you’ll find a wealth of user-submitted and top-rated recipes to make this Matrix-like drink.

Would you ever switch to a food substitute to save money?

Interested in reading more about Soylent?
http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2013/08/20/soylent/
https://campaign.soylent.me/soylent-free-your-body
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soylent_(food_substitute)
http://www.theverge.com/2013/9/27/4776560/the-world-of-diy-soylent-production