Temple Grandin at MOHAI

The image from Oliver Sacks’ fantastic book An Anthropologist On Mars has stuck with us since we first read it years ago: a brilliant woman with a PhD in animal science who feels so disconnected, so different from the world around her that she feels as if is an alien observer on a foreign planet. Temple Grandin, the eponymous character in Sacks’ book has managed to turn her autism into a tool, a strength.

After years of having to carefully study the behavior of the humans around her so she could fit in (what does it mean when they curl the corners of their mouths up? Why is it sometimes alright to stand inches from somebody and other times it causes agitation?), she developed an analytic empathy that she was then able to turn to the animal world. Her analysis of animal behavior (and, perhaps her absence of some of the “normal” inhibitions the rest of us hold) allowed her to, among other things, revolutionize the design of slaughterhouses.

So we’re looking forward to Grandin’s talk tomorrow night, Friday June 18th at MOHAI. The evening, which, in addition to Grandin’s talk, includes a showing of the biopic Temple Grandin (starring Claire Daines) and a reception featuring Washington State wines and a variety of “small plates” made with local Food Alliance Certified products from Country Natural Beef, Fulton Provision, Wilcox Family Farms and others, has an odd feeling for us, especially given our 23 years as a vegetarian (and subsequent seven years as an ex-vegetarian), but we wouldn’t miss it.

The event is a benefit for the Food Alliance, a food and agriculture advocacy and certification group. Tickets are a $100 for the general public and $75 for members. More info on their web site.

(Photo by Steve Jurvetson)