Entomophagy: Should eating insects be socially acceptable?

[Undisguised Sockpuppet]

I'd try insects.  Why not?  It's not unhealthy - probably healthier.  It's not as if they object to dying even as much as cows or pigs.  I mean, to each their own, but this seems like a silly cultural taboo.

Considering the crap the average American eats in a given week, it's pretty amusing we're getting upset over bugs.

Quoted for truth. Personally I find crap like fried twinkies far more disgusting than eating cooked grasshoppers.

[Undisguised Sockpuppet]

I'm probably one of the few people on the board who regularly eat insects.. by regularly I mean every couple months I'll get a bag of grubs and/or a back of crickets, grasshoppers, whatever, from one of the fried insect ladies on the street.  They usually have fried shrimps too.  Everything is somewhat pre-cooked as far as I can tell, and she just fries it in hot oil with some herbs, tosses it in a bag, and sprays it with a salty sauce from a bottle. 

They really are a delicious snack, very salty and oily, that go well with beer or soft drinks.  Only warning is they're good for a between-meals snack but bad as an appetizer, as they're quite filling.  I can never finish mine, and always share them with the working girls.

NDN is your mother from Thailand?  Specifically Isaan?

NDN is from new england and has never tried eating insects. He's just open-minded to the possibility.

[Undisguised Sockpuppet]

A mix of options 1 and 3.

An interesting set of choices... why?

[Undisguised Sockpuppet]

There are abundant insects that are healthy for you - I have no problem acknowledging that fact. I don't necessarily think eating insects should be "encouraged", but I don't think it should be discouraged either. But I've no particular intention to try it. (I know a guy who, when he catches an ant, pops it into his mouth and eats it, btw.)

Ah fair enough. I'd advise against eating wild caught insects(pesticides) so your friend isn't exactly doing the smart thing.

[Undisguised Sockpuppet]

Wow. A majority would either encourage eating insects or would try it. There is some hope for the west.

[Undisguised Sockpuppet]

Ok. Who voted for #4?

[Undisguised Sockpuppet]

Wait, is this illegal somewhere?

It's not illegal, its simply WAY out of the mainstream.