Marietta (FGCU): Manipulation of Mind: Fast Food’s Secret

Food.  It has become an important aspect of our life.  Everywhere we go there is food, whether were at the store, the movies, the park, the bank.  Food is what lures us to places.  Food is also what is causing health problems and obesity rates to rise.  Eating habits are terrible in America.  Fast food chains are located in every city, in every state, and on almost every street.  Personally, I believe fast food restaurants are part of our problem.  The other day, my mom gave me the “Make Good Choices” speech.  I asked her why she told me this every time I talked to her.  She informed me that the more you hear something the more you will contemplate the outcome before acting on your decision.  Clearly, fast food industries have figured this out.  They spend millions of dollars a year advertising their products, manipulating consumers into believing that it’s ok to eat McDonalds or Taco Bell on a regular basis.  Often times the industry uses smiling children or attractive happy adults in their commercials, making us believe that we too will be attractive and happy when eating the rubbish they are offering us.  Even though we know their products are horrible for us we continue to consume it.  However, I don’t believe it is 100% of the consumers fault.  Media has a strong effect on society as a whole.  It’s the magic box that tells us what is cool, and what is not.  It entertains us, informs us, and is now killing us…?  While sitting down to watch one episode of Friends or a NFL game at least 2 fast food commercials come on during every commercial break.  This chain has more commercials than any other chain of business, yet there are so few commercials out there to offset their power.  For example, when was the last time you saw a commercial for vegetables on TV?  Having trouble remembering?  I know I am.  Has the media affected our judgment on food choices, resulting in a less healthy lifestyle?  Should corporations be able to sell their products even if they are harmful?  Medicine commercials always have side effects listed at the end of each commercial.  Why don’t Wendy’s or Burger King?  How have we allowed these businesses to alter our decisions and our appearance? Sometimes I wonder if people care about the outcome of their eating habits, and if they do, I wonder why they live the lifestyle they do.  How an individual looks or lives affects everyone around them.  If everyone gives into the power of advertising for these businesses then we will maintain our reputation as “Fat Americans”.  Eventually other countries will laugh at us (if they’re not already), and belittle us due to our appearance.  Are you going to let fast food advertisement manipulate you?

This entry was posted on 6. February 2010 at 19:49 and is filed under Introduction to Sociology. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.