Seeing as though most of us had trouble posting on "The Taste of Sweet" let's continue the conversation today along with Fast Food Nation...... which I must say grossed me out thuroughly.
Stating that Fast Food Nation grossed me out is a bit parochial, but no less truthful. I am amazed at how this video coupled with viewing of "Super Size Me" does not instinctively force people to cognitively choose to stay away form these foods. Has a part of human nature been destroyed over the years when it comes to choosing safe foods?
One of the aspects of "Fast Food Nation" which has always bothered me is the plight of the fast food workers, whose labor is exploited in terms of working conditions, wages, and benefits.
At the same time, they are exploited as consumers of these very products.
Lack of education is certainly a double-edged sword.
I caught three themes in the FFN film and agree with you that the movie exposes the gross portrayal of the way the fast food industry exploits the public in so many ways. And yes, the Big One is truly disgusting!
The first theme is introduced at the outset is that the monetary return on investment is all important. Re-enforcing the theme for me was the manipulation of taste as it appeared in the Chen book and the notion that even the food and its color is manipulated. Money is the route of all decisions. Overlook the fecal contamination and look at the big picture—“Why worry, 40,000 people are killed in car wrecks each year”.
The second theme I identified was the obvious exploitation of people, immigrants, workers, women and immigrants. I was almost overcome with the level of anger and violence against both the people and the animals. The HR Director is truly the despicable company man along with the irony of the company’s interpreter. And even in the last scene of the film the exploitation of the illegal children begins with the coyote welcoming them to the United States, and then presenting the children with their first Mickey’s meal. Of course the investigator lets us down when he caves in to the executives of Mickey’s and carries forward the new marketing effort.
The third and only promising theme is the rebellious uncle encouraging Amber to get out and to rebel against getting into line. Her decision not to go along but to fight back and to make even the smallest statement demonstrates that amid all this mess there is hope.
Overall, a very powerful experience that I will view again when tempted to super-size. Jim Hu
The exploitation of the Mexican immigrants is certainly a secondary theme of this movie as well as the exploitation of the fast food employees and the treatment that they are subjected to.
There also exists sub-themes, one specifically relating to the the sexual exploitation that some of the Mexican women are subjected to in the slaughter house, the disillusioned fast food worker, and as Jim pointed out that of the rebellious teen.
The people responsible for this film take responsibility for not skimming over the themes to make them look more pleasant, but instead offer viewers a more realistic point of view. A point of view that offers a more in depth critic at modern life in the States. This includes the slaughtering of the cattle which was filmed in an actual slaughter house.
Never has it been more important that we find more ways to offer low income families healthier food choices. As a super nation fast food should not be the staple foods in which people rely upon during times of economic difficulty (whether global or family specific). The obesity epidemic is certainly connected to this as well. I cannot explain the number of over weight teenagers I see in a day. It is not unusual for many of them to weight between 200-350 pounds. I have also had kids who have weighted in the 400s. I am saddened by this. I have students who have never had fruit until I bring it into school and introduce it to them. Fruit (other than apples, bananas, and oranges) is a delicacy to some of my students. They treat it carefully and are so very grateful when I bring it in, especially grapes. I can get them to do any work I ask or on those days - especially if it grapes that bring in.
Abby's comments about students who have never seen fruit before are an incredibly sad commentary about us as a nation. Perhaps it's reading a lot in the past few days about Ted Kennedy and thinking about his philosophies, but I am convinced that government has neglected its responsibility to enforce quality food standards in public school cafeterias. The school district where my children attend school won a "fresh fruit grant." I am saddened to say that school officials used the grant to place bowls of fruit in the offices of each school for faculty and visitors and any children who had the nerve to ask. I know that school officials acted with no malice. Instead, they - like many - are ignorant of the importance of proper nutrition. Super Size and many similar films and literary works underscore the huge disconnect and we can hope that more work continues in the realm of nutrition education. I believe that this, coupled with a strong federal legislative platform, can help.
I'm a mom dedicated to living & teaching a healthy and realistic lifestyle. I started this journey as a way to save my own life & now I want to share what I have learned. I hope to inspire others to take that first step.
Stating that Fast Food Nation grossed me out is a bit parochial, but no less truthful. I am amazed at how this video coupled with viewing of "Super Size Me" does not instinctively force people to cognitively choose to stay away form these foods. Has a part of human nature been destroyed over the years when it comes to choosing safe foods?
ReplyDeleteHi everyone,
ReplyDeleteOne of the aspects of "Fast Food Nation" which has always bothered me is the plight of the fast food workers, whose labor is exploited in terms of working conditions, wages, and benefits.
At the same time, they are exploited as consumers of these very products.
Lack of education is certainly a double-edged sword.
Best,
Kathy Stein
Hi everyone,
ReplyDeleteAbby, I agree that "Super Size Me" offers an important perspective on this problem.
Portion size in the food industry, fast food and otherwise, has grown beyond reason, with epidemics of obesity and diabetes the results.
Again, the least educated, the least affluent, and those with the least access to preventive and other medical care are the ones who suffer most.
Kathy Stein
Hi all: Back in Boston. Jim Hunt
ReplyDeleteI caught three themes in the FFN film and agree with you that the movie exposes the gross portrayal of the way the fast food industry exploits the public in so many ways. And yes, the Big One is truly disgusting!
The first theme is introduced at the outset is that the monetary return on investment is all important. Re-enforcing the theme for me was the manipulation of taste as it appeared in the Chen book and the notion that even the food and its color is manipulated.
Money is the route of all decisions. Overlook the fecal contamination and look at the big picture—“Why worry, 40,000 people are killed in car wrecks each year”.
The second theme I identified was the obvious exploitation of people, immigrants, workers, women and immigrants. I was almost overcome with the level of anger and violence against both the people and the animals. The HR Director is truly the despicable company man along with the irony of the company’s interpreter. And even in the last scene of the film the exploitation of the illegal children begins with the coyote welcoming them to the United States, and then presenting the children with their first Mickey’s meal. Of course the investigator lets us down when he caves in to the executives of Mickey’s and carries forward the new marketing effort.
The third and only promising theme is the rebellious uncle encouraging Amber to get out and to rebel against getting into line. Her decision not to go along but to fight back and to make even the smallest statement demonstrates that amid all this mess there is hope.
Overall, a very powerful experience that I will view again when tempted to super-size.
Jim Hu
The exploitation of the Mexican immigrants is certainly a secondary theme of this movie as well as the exploitation of the fast food employees and the treatment that they are subjected to.
ReplyDeleteThere also exists sub-themes, one specifically relating to the the sexual exploitation that some of the Mexican women are subjected to in the slaughter house, the disillusioned fast food worker, and as Jim pointed out that of the rebellious teen.
The people responsible for this film take responsibility for not skimming over the themes to make them look more pleasant, but instead offer viewers a more realistic point of view. A point of view that offers a more in depth critic at modern life in the States. This includes the slaughtering of the cattle which was filmed in an actual slaughter house.
Never has it been more important that we find more ways to offer low income families healthier food choices. As a super nation fast food should not be the staple foods in which people rely upon during times of economic difficulty (whether global or family specific). The obesity epidemic is certainly connected to this as well. I cannot explain the number of over weight teenagers I see in a day. It is not unusual for many of them to weight between 200-350 pounds. I have also had kids who have weighted in the 400s. I am saddened by this. I have students who have never had fruit until I bring it into school and introduce it to them. Fruit (other than apples, bananas, and oranges) is a delicacy to some of my students. They treat it carefully and are so very grateful when I bring it in, especially grapes. I can get them to do any work I ask or on those days - especially if it grapes that bring in.
Abby's comments about students who have never seen fruit before are an incredibly sad commentary about us as a nation. Perhaps it's reading a lot in the past few days about Ted Kennedy and thinking about his philosophies, but I am convinced that government has neglected its responsibility to enforce quality food standards in public school cafeterias. The school district where my children attend school won a "fresh fruit grant." I am saddened to say that school officials used the grant to place bowls of fruit in the offices of each school for faculty and visitors and any children who had the nerve to ask. I know that school officials acted with no malice. Instead, they - like many - are ignorant of the importance of proper nutrition. Super Size and many similar films and literary works underscore the huge disconnect and we can hope that more work continues in the realm of nutrition education. I believe that this, coupled with a strong federal legislative platform, can help.
ReplyDelete