Macintosh apples

A vast majority of the average human life is a trivial pursuit. Perhaps, within the expanse of their time, the individual may be able to count on one hand their contributions of value to the existence of human life. No matter, such an issue is one of subjectivity; the value of a human contribution can only be determined by the individual and those around them. One may ask, "Is it better to be an agent of change, or one of consistency which others can depend on?" It would seem that both types are needed in the establishment and maintenance of progress. However, it would also be the case that the two types that have been mentioned have a habit shunning each others' actions. Such a phenomenon can only be attributed to the paradox that is human nature.

An individual sits at the bank of a river and in that moment, time passes as slowly and nonchalantly as the lazy flow of the river itself. Thinking about nothing at all, the individual bites into an apple. The apple's skin, a rich, pure red, is slightly warm from sitting in the sun. The flesh within is complex in flavor, both sweet an tart in the way that only an apple can be. The apple is juicy, but not overwhelmingly so, as a peach might be. It is neither too crispy nor too soft, but somewhere in the middle.

Eyes on a distant horizon, the individual munches in silence, putting little thought into the apple because they don't have to. The apple simply is. When the apple was purchased, there was no particular wish for the apple to exceed the pre-existing expectations for what it should be like to eat. The experience of eating the apple was preconceived; a lazy expectation that could be carried out in the mind's eye with no particular effort. It was mere fodder for enjoying a leisurely, purposefully insignificant day in the sun.

With the preconceived notion of the experience of consuming an apple, a sense of comfort arises. In such a scenario, the apple has become an agent of consistency, and thus becomes capable of complimenting the nonchalant experience of lazing beside the river. It would be wrong for the apple to become something unexpected. An explosion of new flavor and strange textures would be a breach to the long established ideas of modest yet pleasant dependability. In truth, such qualities can only be found in one member of the vast apple species.

In the year 1811, the Macintosh apple was discovered by Canadian farmer John Macintosh. It would seem that the Macintosh is a perfect combination of its predecessors, exhibiting the juicy tartness of the Detroit Red, and the sweet flavor and hardy nature of the Fameuse variety. Compared to the long expanse of humanity's existence, it could be considered unfortunate that it took so long to make such a simple, yet fantastic discovery. Perhaps that it the best description of all for the humble Macintosh; fantastically simple. Nonetheless, the Macintosh unsurprisingly rose to popularity in the 19th century, establishing itself as that mundane yet versatile figure of consistency that we perhaps do not deserve.

It is true that in some capacities, the Macintosh cannot compare. It does not possess the prestige of the Flower of Kent variety, renowned for falling before Sir Isaac Newton and prompting the discovery of gravity. Certainly, the Macintosh apple does not possess that frilly crispiness and sweetness that has brought the Honeycrisp into the adoration of the apple consuming strata. But at the end of the day, the Macintosh is something that we can all can come back to. A figure within the turmoil of our world that doesn't try to change or become something more than it's meant to be. When all is said and done, it is the humble Macintosh that sits at the center of the world that is the apple consuming populous.

Within the consumer culture that has become the essence of our current setting, there is a constant competition for the individual's passing eye. Certainly, the apple industry has attempted to employ such an approach, and it has been proven that the results can be disastrous. Take, for example, the unnecessary bitterness of the Granny Smith. The apple is known for its iconic green color and supposed usefulness in baking, yet upon the first bite it stings teeth and burns throats. Consider the Red Delicious, flavorless and dry. If one who was unfamiliar with apples were to take a bite into the disappointing flesh of the Red Delicious, they would undoubtedly assume that apples as a whole are not worth the time of day.

To say that a state of unconditional superiority over the apple species is unattainable to the Macintosh variety is not completely unfounded. However, the debate of which apple is truly superior is a matter of great subjectivity, and possibly one that is unsolvable. Perhaps there is only one true way to navigate such a quagmire, which is to resort to the known. In a fitful sea of conflicting ideas and beliefs, it is the presence of fact that becomes a beacon of solace and familiarity. With the availability of so many apple varieties, we have been given the privilege of choice; a gift that we perhaps will never be fully capable of handling.

In a time of great confusion and conflict in our world, the issue of apples is unique in the way that there is still a place to find comfort. There is still an option to take that will result in wonderful, comfortable averageness. What other apple makes people say, "This will do", or "It's not special, but it's a crowd pleaser". In the wide realm of apples, the consistent employments of such notions can only be attributed time and time again to the Macintosh; the true monarch of unageing normalcy.

In a setting where it feels as though the shiniest thing gets bought, or the loudest voice has final say, the Macintosh has become so much more than a simple apple. The Macintosh has become a symbol of standing by what is right. To those who understand it, the humble Macintosh is a pristine model; one to look up to in the ever-present fight of seeing past all of the smoke and mirrors that we are presented with in our daily lives. With so much of the simplicity of what used to be now lost and forgotten, it is our duty to stand by the Macintosh apple, and all it has come to stand for.