Zsaffryn’s review of Where We Meet the World: The Story of the Senses > Likes and Comments
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Thanks for the review, Zsaffryn, and your arguments on MSG are noted. The main thing that I was driving at is that dietary MSG, at the levels that most of us experience, is benign. This is largely the view of some recent papers while others caution against chronic, heavy exposure (I tried to add DOIs but GoodReads blocked me...). Nevertheless, I take your point, and thanks for raising it. Were I to write a second edition, I'd change my emphasis. I'm glad you enjoyed the rest of the book!
It was a delightful read and I appreciate the effort that went into writing it. There were many passages that I read with wonder and I’ve used my nose a lot more since.
As far as MSG, I appreciate that. Multiple Sclerosis is in my family so I have studied the impact of neurotoxins with great horror, especially after my Grandmother explained how they’d use it as a seasoning like salt or pepper. My comment may have come across harsh because there is family sorrow involved. The research on MSG as a neurotoxin is commonly overlooked, but it is important for the safety of everyone involved and especially individuals who are genetically prone to their bodies responding in a catastrophic way.
Otherwise, it was a life changing book as far as appreciating the senses. That is, after all, how we experience life. I’ve already recommended it to friends and have had great discussions with the content.
I'm sorry, Zsaffryn - I only just saw your comment now (I assumed, wrongly, that I'd get an alert. Anyway, yes, I completely understand your concerns - thank you for raising them. And I'm glad you're using your nose more! I lost my sense of smell completely a few years ago and I really miss it.
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Ashley
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Mar 12, 2026 08:38PM
Thanks for the review, Zsaffryn, and your arguments on MSG are noted. The main thing that I was driving at is that dietary MSG, at the levels that most of us experience, is benign. This is largely the view of some recent papers while others caution against chronic, heavy exposure (I tried to add DOIs but GoodReads blocked me...). Nevertheless, I take your point, and thanks for raising it. Were I to write a second edition, I'd change my emphasis. I'm glad you enjoyed the rest of the book!
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It was a delightful read and I appreciate the effort that went into writing it. There were many passages that I read with wonder and I’ve used my nose a lot more since.As far as MSG, I appreciate that. Multiple Sclerosis is in my family so I have studied the impact of neurotoxins with great horror, especially after my Grandmother explained how they’d use it as a seasoning like salt or pepper. My comment may have come across harsh because there is family sorrow involved. The research on MSG as a neurotoxin is commonly overlooked, but it is important for the safety of everyone involved and especially individuals who are genetically prone to their bodies responding in a catastrophic way.
Otherwise, it was a life changing book as far as appreciating the senses. That is, after all, how we experience life. I’ve already recommended it to friends and have had great discussions with the content.
I'm sorry, Zsaffryn - I only just saw your comment now (I assumed, wrongly, that I'd get an alert. Anyway, yes, I completely understand your concerns - thank you for raising them. And I'm glad you're using your nose more! I lost my sense of smell completely a few years ago and I really miss it.
