Let’s Stop Pretending
Technically, this doesn’t really relate to anything, but I thought it was funny (ie, too stupid to believe).
Eric Schlosser’s 2001 bestseller Fast Food Nation has been made into a movie with Ethan Hawke, Patricia Arquette, Bobby Cannavale and Avril Lavigne. The idea behind the book is to let us know what we’re eating when we eat crap. In other words, if you’re a McDonald’s fan, you might want to skip this one.
[Note: that was not the stupid part]
Well, as you might imagine, McDonald’s and its fast food bretheren are not happy. The Book Standard says:
In response to the books and film, McDonald’s has been working on a public relations campaign that focuses on the healthy items on the menu, like salads and healthier options, like fresh apple slices and juice or milk to drink rather than soda, in Happy Meals. Meanwhile, another group has launched a website called BestFoodNation.com, which praises the safety and quality of beef, potato and milk products produced in the United States.
[That was the stupid part in case you missed it]
No offense to the good people of this nation, but if we aren’t smart enough to know having a hamburger, french fries and a shake every single day is a bad thing then we’re idiots. No offense to the PR people in charge of changing the image of fast food, but praising the quality of beef, potatoes and milk is pure silliness.
Let’s all be informed, yes. But let’s also take some personal responsibility. No one forces the fast food in your mouth. Eat it or don’t - who cares. But, by all that is holy and good on this planet, please let’s stop pretending fast food isn’t really that unhealthy after all. It’s bad for you. You shouldn’t need a book to tell you that or be dumb enough to be swayed by commericals put out by said fast food chains professing the opposite.
Told you this didn’t relate to anything. Just felt like having a little rant on how stupid this is.
May 24th, 2006 at 8:11 am
Yeah, I never quite understood it. I’m a once a month, maybe less fast food eater.
Makes you wonder if we really are just a nation full of idiots. I can’t imagine going to McDonalds all the time. for one thing, it gets expensive. And boring.
And I will never have a fruit and walnut salad again after the mildewy smelling one I got once. So grossed me out.
May 24th, 2006 at 12:05 pm
I’m with you on this… I’ve been of the opinion that the American Public is either very stupid (hot coffee between your legs while you’re driving anyone?) or just plain brilliant (instant millionaire… retire to the Bahamas).
As much as I hate McDonalds… I still get a McRib every fall and two or three Big Macs over the course of the year.
I’ve been reading your blog for a few weeks now, and I have to say, I love the photographs you’re using. Do you know who the photographer is?
May 24th, 2006 at 3:06 pm
LOL! I agree.
May 24th, 2006 at 8:17 pm
Thanks all - happy I’m not alone.
Welcome Bryan! Do you mean the lady with the amazing legs and the laptop across the top? I love that photo. My web designer found it (Alison Kent aka Mica Stone at Dreamforge Media http://www.dreamforgemedia.com/). when designing the site, she asked for input. I said I wanted a certain type of graphic across the type. She found all of these stock photos and gave me a bunch to choose from. This one stood out to me. I think I paid a flat rate of something like $50 to use it. I don;t know who the photographer is, but I can check.
May 25th, 2006 at 8:55 am
Yeah, her (which actually I can’t find now) as well as the one with the phone dangling.
That’s a great stock photo.
No need to try to track down the photographer if it will be a lot of effort. I was just curious. I do a little photography on the side (when I’m not banging my head on a keyboard trying to write a scene). If/when I actually find an agent/publisher I may try to see if I can do some cover photos on the side. If you’re interested in seeing some of my work, I’ve got a page on my blog that links to a slideshow.
Great blog. I’m checking it daily before I get into writing mode. I’ve been kicking this story idea around for nearly ten years and figured it’s time to get serious about writing if I ever want to do it for real. We’ll see how it all plays out by the end of the year.
Thank you for the kind welcome.