Food, glorious food

Everyone loves Food and it has invaded popular culture. Whether you go out or dine in there are many things to consider. Ingredient sourcing has become a big topic, environmentalists are all for everything locally sourced, organic, and plant-based proteins. If you eat meat, what does that say about you? How about GMO's? This is a very deep rabbit hole.

https://www.plantbasednews.org/news/london-buses-refuse-vegan-ad-might-cause-offence

Aside from where your food comes from is the consideration of how and where it's prepared. You can have gourmet meals at home with meal delivery kits that are all the rage now. You can shop for your groceries online and have them delivered to your door. You can get your recipe from Pinterest, cook it in your Instapot, and Instagram it #foodgasm. How about #avocadotoast. The internet was aflame over Millenials and their toast. It was blamed for everything, from financial instability to the reason home sales have declined.

https://www.californiaavocado.com/recipe-details/view/31710/california-avocado-toast-three-ways
Being a foodie is so in. Everyone is a professional photographer on Instagram. How many times do you go out and see someone photograph their food before they eat it? I do it all the time. We don't just photograph it, we leave a review on Yelp and Google to influence the next diner considering the spot.
Restaurants have become entertainment spaces as well. Dave&Busters is widely known as a place to get a great dinner and have fun. Dinner theatre is a thing, you can order meals at most movie theatres as well.

https://www.bonappetit.com/restaurants-travel/slideshow/7-movie-theaters-foodies
Celebrity influences our food consumption as well. Diet plans sell you the ideal body. Drink this shake or these personalized prepared meals and you, too, can look like them. Follow the link for the TB12 diet.
TB12 Diet

Food is social and cultural. What do you always do at family gatherings? You eat and what you eat may be determined by your cultural identity. Grandma's house was always great as a kid. You better come hungry because you won't get out of there without eating.
Check out this article from BonApetit for more on food in popular culture.
https://www.bonappetit.com/entertaining-style/pop-culture/article/food-invaded-pop-culture

How Netflix is Changing Mass Culture

This week I found an interesting video called "Netflix's War on Mass Culture" and I immediately thought, "Oh no, they're not going to tell me that Netflix is bad! Are they?" The reality is both yes, and no. As I watched the video, despite its daunting title, I found that the narrative was somewhat open for interpretation and I will answer to that later on.

The video basically outlined how the normal practice of watching television had gone on in previous generations and how Netflix is different from that. At first the video accuses Netflix of trying to replace the foundations of television with a new system based on the current values of the internet generation and also of trying to change viewer behavior. Of course in my mind I say, "That's great that such things can evolve as we do!" However, this video takes the opposite approach and claims that Netflix has a hidden agenda.

Even the Netflix logos have a cool history! (source)

The origin story of Netflix is generally known by the average American; it was at first a DVD mail order service that after a while began to offer some of its most popular shows and films via online streaming. Its also infamously known as the company that eventually brought down Blockbuster Video, a VHS movie rental store that refused to "get with the times." Therefore proving that evolution of entertainment is imperative.

In the history of entertainment, many shows and events were broadcasted live, as reliable technology for recording video and audio didn't come until much later. Thus live entertainment was, for much of history, seen as commonplace. Even as pre-recorded shows began to air, live television did not disappear, as today we still have live news, sporting events, award shows, reality shows, etc. Though the focus now has shifted to pre-recorded shows being the majority and live television being the minority. Having our choice of scripted shows to watch echos the retail market, just like people could go to Blockbuster and pick out only what they wanted to watch rather than being subjected to "what's on." Also, unlike cable companies, Netflix pays attention to their viewers, what they watch and what they like, and uses algorithms based on the genre or starring actors to predict other shows you might be interested in.

Netflix knows what you like! "OITNB" was their top rated show last June. (image source)

The video states that mainstream entertainment is based on a large pillar of popular culture, flanked by smaller sub-cultures and that Netflix is attempting to change this architecture into a world of “fandom islands” where people rarely interact with others outside of their island. It gives people less exposure to things that they wouldn’t normally watch but I don’t see that the unity of people loving a show will cease because of this. It in fact adds a more profound sense of connection. For someone to find another person who likes the same obscure show that they do, instead of being crowded out by the overall tone of what the majority of people are watching, makes that show and that connection even more special. They argue that entertainment only based on fandom is non-traditional and un-American, but I have so far seen very little change in the unity and passion of people who have made the transition to online streaming.

In the past, network “event television” aimed to get a large group of people watching the same thing at the same time - but what is the harm in a large group of people watching the same thing, but at their own pace? Netflix is viewed by a large amount of people, but that doesn’t make it less valuable, in fact people are watching more hours of television than they did in the 1990s. This makes it even more important that we pay attention to what we are watching and make it more readily available, rather than restricting people to less choice because of tradition

Even cable networks have "On Demand." They have to admit it is part of our modern era of entertainment. (image source)

The anti-Netflix argument in the video uses the viewpoint of Vladimir Nabokov who believes that humanity’s “highest yearning” should be to leave behind all desire to be “current.” I however, argue that modern people have a very high regard for being up-to-date on all parts of culture, especially where they consider it to be a part of their identity. This does contrast to a time, even a hundred years back, when people were wary of new inventions such as television or even electricity - but today a vast number of people take great pride in wearing the latest trend, going to see the newest movies, and sharing the most popular memes. What’s wrong with that? I say nothing!

Packages within Packages

Oreos, one of the popular snacks in the world, now come in packages of 2 or 3 Oreos and there are even individually wrapped Oreos. Whereas a regular traditional box of Oreos contains about 30 cookies, these newer products are basically packages within packages. These “convenient” packages are incredibly wasteful as within a large box there are 12 smaller packages; this results in more unnecessary waste material. 

The company is selling these individually wrapped Oreos as a great “on the go” snack and is marketing this product towards families with kids and anyone else who don’t have the time to place 2 or 3 Oreos in a reusable container. Apparently, the appeal, as this blog post I found which was sponsored by Oreos, points out, is the ability to quickly put these individual packages in a purse or to easily tuck them into the glove compartment of a car. The two packs, according to Oreo, are “perfect for a quick treat at work, running errands, carpooling to family activities or family day trips.” 

This new “upgraded version” of this product is completely unnecessary. The actual product is exactly the same, only the packaging is different. Reusable containers are perfectly adequate. It’s really just a way to for the company to try and convince consumers that this is an easier way to provide your kids with snacks and that you’ll save time doing it. 

Plastic Cups, the epitome of waste

The American people have aimed all of their efforts at making products that are easy to use and inexpensive to purchase. One of the most wasteful products mass produced in American industry is plastic cups. Plastic cups are easy for parties and large gatherings because they are disposable and you do not have to clean them after the fact. These plastic cups are extremely wasteful though. The cups take an enormous amount of time to decompose and when burnt produce toxic chemicals. The cups have grown in popularity in today's culture because of the image of holding a red solo cup. Instead of just using one cup for drinking at a party, a party goer may use anywhere from 1-10 plastic cups depending on what they are drinking. It is extremely wasteful and a sleeve of 100 plastic cups can be used within an hour at a large gathering.
The plastic cup has gained its popularity from the "red solo cup" image, and the image of being a party cup. Everyone wants a red cup when they are drinking alcohol. Videos like this, are often used by companies to connect with the youthful consumer base. In this video, Hefty is advertising their party cup with a mom using terms that are common with teenagers. The Commercial also states the cups are "crack resistant" trying to make their product more appealing to the consumers. The plastic cup phenomenon became huge when song writer and artist Toby Keith came out with his hit song "red Solo Cup".  The song is all about a plastic "red solo cup". The song suggests that you do not know how to party or have fun if you do not use red plastic cups. Media like this have entertained the idea that plastic cups are needed at a party. It makes more sense just to use one cup and wash it after but the American people have this idea that they need to look cool at parties with their plastic red cups.  

The production of a product like this is harmful because they make things so much easier on the consumer but so much more difficult on the earth. The cups are used and disposed of at an amazing rate. There is no need to use 100 cups at a party with 15 people but it happens because people are lazy. they do not want to wash dishes so they would rather buy plastic cups and just throw them away after one drink.          
 

Links:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMcHB6Y5QVA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKZqGJONH68
Pic:http://blog.catchmyparty.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Solo-Banner1.png : http://nationswell.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/3637758402_0246a4099d_o.jpg

Module 14 Example: Single-Waste Coffee

PROMPT
Explore a mass-produced product that has been created nearly entirely for simple consumption.  Examine one or more advertisements/commercials for this product and explore how the company presents it as a convenience, an essential to daily life, or something you just have to acquire. 

If you need help with some examples, you might find them here:

• 25 Wasteful Things You Can Live Without
• 10 Things That are Super Convenient but Also SUPER Wasteful
• 13 Products That Are Unnecessary and Wasteful

In your blog post, explain the following:

• What is the mass-produced item?  Explain what it is and how it is wasteful.
• Link to or embed at least two examples of this product being sold. 
• Explain the ways in which the product appeal to audiences.
• Identify problems with the production and selling of the good according to the material from this week.
  

Relevant Labels/Tags:  consumerism, mass production, waste, [product you are discussion],

EXAMPLE

The rise of Keurig cups and machines in the last decade has been a disappointing surprise.  I was fascinated by the proliferation of coffee shops (namely, Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks) since the 1980s, but while they don't seem to be stopping any time soon, we also see a growing abundance of Keurig machines.  For those who aren't familiar, there are small cups filled with concentrated coffee and coffee grinds that are popped into a machine that will generate a cup of coffee.  Basically, each small plastic cup generates one cup of coffee.  If you are like me and drink way more coffee than you should (some days, I may hit 6-8 cups), that would mean 6-8 plastic cups that are off to the garbage dump (note:  I don't use Keurig cups, I cold-brew my coffee in 1-gallon batches with minimal environmental impact).  Thus, the waste factor for Keurigs is pretty significant.  Never mind that these packets come in packaging when sold in stores, they are single use-products that can easily accumulate double digit waste per person with a day or two. 

What's interesting about the Keurig is that it pulls in people on two fronts.  The first is the Keurig machine, which is a machine, like most modern machines, cheap and susceptible to breaking down (and therefore needing a new one).  There's also the Keurig cups themselves that one needs to regularly purchase.  Thus, the user is not just buying a singular machine, but ultimately subscribing to their wasteful product. 

In terms of their advertising, I submit the following images and conversations. 

Source

This particular ad not only encourages users to feel negative sentiment but seems to promise that they will save time by having a Keurig.  They will still have to wait in line to buy the cups every so often, which is something the ad seems to ignore.  More importantly though, it encourages the viewer to feel like 60 seconds is the only amount of time they need in order to acquire their coffee--but that's just the amount of time needed for the Keurig to make the coffee.  It doesn't take into account the buying of Keurig, the transporting and storing of the Keurig cup.  Nor does it consider the time in which you must retrieve each Keurig cup each day as well as get a coffee mug and eventually throw out the Keurig cup and wash the cup.  It's hinting at simplicity when in fact, it isn't. 

Source.

Why is coffee courage?  What is courageous about coffee?  As a stimulant, it certainly doesn't give you courage but somehow, writing it in a manner that makes one think of coffee and somehow implying that Keurig is the coffee cup of courage makes sense for this full-page ad.  If Keurig coffee is "courage", then what does it say that it is single-use and quickly disposable?

Floss Picks

In the past couple of years or so floss picks have become widely popular in homes. Remember when we had just our ordinary coil of floss? We now have a new design and “fun” way to get kids wanting to floss more.  These floss picks, also called flosser picks are extremely wasteful because of the added plastic handle, not to mention these picks are only good for a one time use then you need to waste another one. Single use plastics are something environmentalists are trying to lower the numbers off everyday. Not to mention dentists are recommending using the old fashioned floss vs. the flossing picks.

Although this product is not ideal for the environment or efficient because of the plastic body, floss picks appeal to its audiences. The people using these floss picks see them as an easier alternative, it is much easier to reach the back of your mouth with these picks instead of regular floss and as many of  us know, most people choose the easier way out. Below are some recent ads from DenTek, a oral care company that produces thee floss picks.

As I discussed, the floss picks are a one time use, and often times you need more than just one floss pick during a single flossing time because of how little floss is actually there. So as soon as your done flossing, you end up having to run back to the supermarket to grab another pack and it turns into an ongoing cycle.

DenTek used men, in tough positions like enlisted in the army, or a martial arts fighter to get their message across. When you think of a floss pick you wouldn't really put two and two together but hey, to each their own. They could have been trying to make a point that even strong, tough, courageous men use their floss picks, and maybe if you use them you could be just like them.