Cover your tray with the pasta spray
- Sorry, I missed that. Rewind. 20 seconds.
The kitchen wall plays back the video instantly.
- …so in today’s episode, I will show you how to create the latest viral sensation. Lasagna Supreme is taking the internet by storm. Thanks to novelty food processing methods inspired by metamaterials, we can finally make a lasagna in which every layer is as crunchy as the top. Pasta spray is the biggest breakthrough for pasta since the dried pasta…
She takes a quick sip of rose wine.
- Pause. Where did I put the tomatoes?
- I saw them in the fridge the last time I looked.
- When I try to cook something new, everything switches places whenever I open the fridge.
- Let me take care of that. Your method of doing things one by one drives me crazy. Prep first, cook later. Everything else is madness.
- My turn, my rules.
She dices the colourful tomatoes, puts them into the saucepan, and pours over olive oil generously.
- This much oil reminds me of my last massage.
- How is that?
- They used so much oil I couldn’t decide if I was being massaged or marinated.
She smiles while grounding pepper into the saucepan.
- Play.
- Start by coating your casserole or baking pan with some olive oil. And now, the crucial step. Cover your tray with the pasta spray. First, tilt the switch next to the nozzle and shake the cylinder rapidly for a few seconds. Now spray the first layer and count to ten while the pasta foam expands and hardens in contact with air. Then, pour in your chosen sauce and add a layer of grated cheese. Remember to leave some spots on the edges without the sauce or cheese. It is essential for even heat distribution. It also helps all layers of pasta to enjoy the blessed Maillard’s reaction. Now…
She reaches for the pasta.
- Great, let me shake it.
- …and as we are…
- Pause. Don’t you want to watch the whole thing first? Context may be important. It would be a shame if we couldn't finish it just because we rushed a thing or two. I’m not in the mood for risk today. I’m starving.
She smiles.
- Ok. I thought we were on a cooking date, not preparing a standard operating procedure for your team to cook pasta. Play.
The kitchen wall fills back with motion as the video resumes.
- …adding layers of the lasagna…
- Pause.
The wall freezes right on the weird frame when the chef blinks.
- Oh, laugh all you want. Pasta is a very important substance for science.
He swirls the glass and takes a sip.
- A long time ago, studies were conducted on spaghetti strings cooked to different firmness and tied into various types of knots. Once the knots were tied, the researchers pulled pasta apart inside an MRI scanner to measure force distribution, tension build-ups, and more. This research led to invaluable progress on the durability and safety of ropes and cables.
His left-hand points at the counter.
- Similarly, the spray-on pasta foam may help advance the research of aluminium foam and other metal foams. Hard and durable as metal but light as a sponge. Imagine how phenomenally useful a material such as metal foam could become.
- Those new aeroplane designs will be sick.
- Not just planes. It would be hilarious if, in the future, space elevator design used some foundational research on ropes and knots conducted on pasta.
- All good things should start with pasta.
- Is it an Italian proverb?
- It’s too good not to be one.
- I’ll toast to that.
Their glasses cling cheerfully.
Hello Practical Futurists,
Welcome back from the future, where pasta comes as a spray-on foam and may hold the keys to progress in material sciences.
Let's dive into our weekly workout, where we use futures thinking and product sci-fi to build a future-proof mindset.
Start with this quote for extra inspiration.
“Everyone wants to live in tomorrow and vacation in yesterday.”
Matt Spire
As always, we begin by connecting the story to your personal life to make it more relatable.
Personal life reflection prompts
How many layers are too much for a lasagna?
What 3 things do you consider when deciding whether to stick to a traditional method or try something new?
When was the last time trying something new led you to an unexpected outcome?
What 2 things should be available in a spray-can format? For me, it would be jamón ibérico for a quick snacking opportunity and pencils for ad hoc notes.
In your case, does more context lead to more planning or unlock more spontaneity?
If metal foams were a thing, what 2 things would it change in your house, and what two in your industry?
Great work!
We’re now ready to work within the context of the industry, organisation, team, service, or product you’re working with.
Professional life reflection prompts
As a leader, how do you advocate for the interdisciplinary culture promoting cross-domain collaboration and idea exchange?
In what 2 situations is it better to start working immediately and in what other 2 is it far more important to prepare everything first?
Is it better to create operating manuals or standard operating procedures before the team is assembled, or do it together?
When was the last time a better understanding of a simple thing significantly improved your industry?
If asked to create a procedure for isolating a workable problem, what 5 steps would your recommendation start with?
In what 2 ways can you measure that your team has sufficient working context to start their work?
Name a colleague who is best at using humour or shifts in perspective to overcome challenges or inspire others.
You did amazing!
Thank you for expanding your imagination with us. Leaders with bold ideas move our world forward.
Think bright, and see you soon.
Pawel Halicki
Hungry for more? Try the recommended follow-up story next:
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