Today's current networks of people, goods, cultures and international trade of food, has expanded peoples obsession with a variety of foods from around the world. "Food is not just food"(luyn), it has the power to create self and community identity, as well as communicating with others through the love and richness of food. The genre of food within the virtual network Experience project allows a global network to communicate and share recipes, experiences and love for food within a virtual community.
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network. Fast food outlets are not only cheap but creative manipulators, "another 30 cents more for a large serve" (Healey, 2012, p. 1).
Patel (2007) explains its these giant corporations that cede the control of the markets, dictating what foods become available to consumers and prices of goods. Corporations use this power to control and disempowered farmers all in the name of profit (Patel, 2007). In addition the power of competition between multi-national corporations means there is a McDonalds erecting at every corner on every street, (or what it looks like). Adding up with endless propaganda, its creating more and more temptations towards a poor diet. Observing on Experience Project many individuals relate their concerns and uncontrollable cravings for fast food.
With the power of social media, Experience Project allows individuals to share their experiences, "geographies of food preparation, cooking, recipes, meals and diets" to a global audience (Atkins and Bowler, 2001, p.272).
References
Atkins, P.,& Bowler, I. (2001). The origins of the taste. In R. Radojicic (Eds.), Food in society:
Economy, culture, geography. (pp. 272-293). London, England: Arnold.
Healey, J. (2012). Fast food and nutrition. Issues in society, 343, 1-28. Retrieved from:
Food networks. Retrieved from: https://learnjcu.jcu.edu.au
Patel, R. (2007). Stuffed and starved: Markets, power and the hidden battle for the world’s food
system. (pp.1-19). Melbourne, Vic: Black Inc.
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Food navigator [Image]. Retrieved from:
nutrition/foodnavigator.com
Nicholas,
ReplyDeleteWithin your comment you have outlined the power networks that cooperation’s have control over; it should be emphasised however, that food is a need for survival. With manipulation of the food we consume (as you mention McDonalds is a perfect example) business’s can manipulate the population, as it has already done. There is a franchise for this particular company in every single country on the planet but it is underestimated how 'advertising does indeed affect people's diet' (Atkins & Bowler, 2001, p.291). Fast food has become common to most and regular at worst; further there are many companies that obtain their ingredients at the expense of poorer countries that have no monitoring of the economic situation of individuals. This has overall created an ignorant quarter (or less) of the planet that exploits the majority in the name of easy food. Worse however, is the fact that most individuals are unaware of how their products got to them and the process along that line; for example, the cheap labour, the business owners that unfairly treat its employees, and the governments that make deals to ensure the financial security of the country and the rich at the injustice of its citizens. Food networks define the power networks within the world, as food is a part of survival, those that control it, also control the human population.
References
Atkins, P., & Bowler, I. (2001). The origins of taste, in Food in society: Economy, culture, geography (pp. 272-293). London, England: Arnold.
Hi Nicholas,
ReplyDeleteDo you think Experience Project is controlled by any of the large food corporations? The linked McDonald's cartoon which presents McDonald's staff conditions in a negative light may suggest that it may not be (otherwise this cartoon may have been removed) however, it’s be interesting to be sure. After browsing the food section of Experience Project I agree with your focus on food as a self and community identity. There are more posts regarding the love for unhealthy foods than those related to health consciousness. I don’t think food is not seen a means for survival on the Experience Project as Storme points out about but rather a luxury, a part of a person’s identity and culture, and perhaps even as a reward or antidepressant. These attitudes are perhaps why the hungry are outnumbered “by the one billion people on this planet who are overweight” (Patel, 2007, p.1). I think the Experience Project mirrors the attitudes towards food explained throughout Patel’s (2007) Introduction.
Reference
Patel, R. (2007). Stuffed and starved: Markets, power and the hidden battle for the world’s food system. (pp.1-19). Melbourne, Vic: Black Inc.