Deserted Island by Mrs eNil
I was browsing The Flavor Bible this evening when I found something that got me thinking. When they polled more than thirty of America’s leading chefs about the ten ingredients they would take to a desert island for the rest of their lives, the number one ingredient was salt. It is nature’s flavor enhancer and an important ingredient for influencing the taste of a dish.
So, I started wondering what ten items a librarian would bring to a deserted island. (Yes, a library on a deserted island. It’s very Gilligan-esque.) Furthermore, what would be the number one thing?
I think the ten item list would get various mileage depending on people’s specialties, but I’m going to hazard a guess for #1:
Index cards.
What do you think?
UPDATE: To rephrase, “if you were EXILED to a deserted island with a library, what item would you bring to help you manage the library for the rest of your life?” How’s that?
I get salt. It would be the one thing that would be universal in helping improve the other ingredients found for eating on the island.
I used to have issue with the “deserted island” question because regardless of how it was phrased “as a librarian…” ” as a writer…” the only thing i ever wanted to bring was something that helped me get OFF the island. Now i see the wonderful zen that is a deserted island (providing my life wasn’t in danger) and i’m more in the salt vein of bringing things with me- something that would enhance the experience of being on a deserted island.
To that end, i must disagree with you on those index cards as i can not see how they would enhance the experience. I hope people will tell me i’m wrong though, and try to convince me otherwise.
It’s not very library-esque but i’d bring my hammock. it’s one of those awesome every-one-should-have-one portable hammocks that you can carry with you backpack style.
If i was restricted to a library themed item, i’d either take a solar powered iphone/netbook type device with satellite internet connection or a direct connection to a VR service. Something akin to the old OCLC terminal. I believe i may need to look up stuff i find on the island to make sure it wont kill me if i eat it, get near it, etc. I’d say not dying would sure enhance the experience of being on a deserted island.
Well, perhaps I should have phrased it as “exiled to a deserted island with a library”. I asked Kathy about it last night and her reply was basically “I wouldn’t go”.
Lemme rephrase the question in the post.
1. solar-powered laptop with satellite connection (noticing at heme here)
2. moonshine still
3. Swiss army knife
4. matches
5. hammock
Ok. I can’t think of 10 items, lol.
I’m with Julie on this one. Because you would not only need index cards, but pens/pencils or something, whereas the solar powered device she proposes would do the trick nicely.
Update: i’d still bring my solar powered thingamajig. seeing as i manage a vr service, i could still do that on the island.
but frankly, i’d use the island time to my benefit and do nothing but swing under some palms in my hammock.
oh, and figure out a way to make bathtub rum.
Re: Bathtub rum.
There is a fine line between insanity and blindness….
1. Extra pair of glasses. Or two.
2. Neosporin
3. Vegetable seeds- corn, wheat, and tomatoes
4. Leatherman multi purpose tool. A big un’.
5. Sewing kit.
6. Yeast.
7. Pens and pencils and paint and paintbrushes
8. Matches, flares, candles
9. Record player + records + crank electric battery
10. Lifetime supply of vicoden.
“4 Leatherman multi purpose tool. A big un’.”
you mean like http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/tools/8b97/?
