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The Pineapple as a Starting Point of the Anthropocene
- John Green questions when the Anthropocene truly began, considering the impact of human activities.
- He proposes it started when humans first tasted a pineapple, marking the Columbian Exchange and global interconnectedness.
First European Pineapple Tasting
- The first European pineapple tasting was recorded in 1496 by the Portuguese court.
- This event symbolized the start of the Columbian Exchange, a period of significant global transformation.
Tomato Misconceptions and Pineapple as Status Symbol
- Europeans initially thought tomatoes were poisonous due to lead leaching from pewter plates.
- Pineapples, expensive due to cultivation challenges, became symbols of wealth, often used as table decorations and eaten only when rotting.