Bruno Latour has written that we have to stop treating 'things' like objects, that is, to perceive their power beyond the mere interactions they have with humans. Things are things long before (and after) we proudly prehensile beings objectify them in relation to ourselves.

Viewing food things as complex assemblages of matter, discourse, and temporal processes may help realign some of the foodish unbalances we have participated in creating. Recognizing the lively nature of food things is a first step. Honoring that nature with work that incorporates such recognition is another.

Powerful, dominating, dutiful, submissive. What might my chopping block like to do to relax?