Helping The Harm

It doesn't make sense that during the years where working conditions at America's meat packing industry became more dangerous, where line speeds increased and illegal immigrants were replacing skilled workers that the enforcement of health and safety laws would be reduced. It seems that during a time when these laws are needed more than ever, the government loosens the leash on an industry that needs to have a watchful eye on more than ever before. The whole process of inspecting companies and employees is sketchy and unreliable. Firstly, OSHA inspects the typical American employee once every eight years-- A LOT can happen in one year, imagine eight! Also, these inspectors don't arrive unannounced, but merely look at the company's injury log before even going inside-- if the percentage of injuries logged was less than the national average, the inspector would leave without inspecting the plant, examining equipment, or conversing with any employees. Not only is this absurd, but the company officials are the people who keep and maintain these logs. I'm sorry, but these people just aren't trustworthy and are more than likely to lie, altering these logs in order to avoid inspection. I wouldn't even ask why they'd do this because I"m pretty sure that they have A LOT to hide. Not to be too forward, but the fast food industry is on my shit list, and the government is making is way too easy for these people to be dishonest and harmful to the consumer and the health of consumer. The way I see it, they are helping these companies to harm people.

King Curtis

"Chicken Nuggets Is Like My Family"

Fast Food Nation discussion the illusion that chicken nuggets are of a healthier choice on the McDonalds menu, but the healthiness of them are "illusory." This stuck out to me, because in truth, most claimed "healthy foods" today are not truly healthy. Schlosser details how a chemical study done by Harvard Medical School showed that chicken nuggets' "fatty acid profile"more closely resembled beef than poultry. This was attributed to the chicken nuggets being cooked in beef tallow. Although McDonalds changed this cooking process by using vegetable oil instead (while still adding beef extract), they contain twice as much fat per ounce than a hamburger. I find it incredible that the creation of the seemingly simple chicken nugget completely changed the industry of raising and processing poultry. It's also crazy to think that nearly 20 years ago chickens were sold whole, but are now cut into pieces, cutlets, or nuggets before being sold. All of this talk of chicken nuggets reminded me a boy who was on television, Curtis, or better known as "King Curtis." Curtis not only loves eating fried food, especially fried meats, he absolutely loves chicken nuggets. He went so far as to make the statement-- "chicken nuggets are like my family." Although this scene was hilarious, especially with his southern accent, it makes you realize how this industry, as well as chicken nuggets have affected the children and consumer of today. On the show, Curtis asked for chicken nuggets for breakfast and nearly every meal. The thought of eating chicken nuggets all of the time is sickening, unhealthy and gross. People should eat to live, not live to eat, and food should not under circumstance be considered family.

Taking Advantage

It's incredible how people are taken advantage of in the fast food industry. I don't understand how these businessmen pride themselves on getting cheap labor from teenagers, the uneducated and disadvantaged-- it's absolutely sickening. Also, I found it a bit upsetting that managers get bonuses for having their employees work more hours but finding a way to pay them less. The word that immediately came to mind was SWINDLE! I may be naive to think so, but I would think that managers and employees would be on the same side against the fast food industry. The more I read, the more the fast food industry becomes the "Dark Side," and managers seem to selfishly be leaning towards that side. It further puts them into a bad light when you realize that the employees that are being taken advantage of are teenagers and mostly non-english speaking people. How could someone do that? Regardless of the job, how could people throw other human beings under the bus in order to better themselves. It makes more sense for these big business men because they presumably make a large buck off of these people, but a manager? Could you really be bettering your life THAT much by making people work more for less? If you want to make more money, get a better job. If I were in their position and thought of doing what many managers do, I'd have to take a step back and re-evaluate my life because I honestly wouldn't respect myself.

Every Man for Himself

I was incredibly shocked while reading about the robberies that occur in the fast food industry. Firstly, I didn't realize that robbing a McDonalds was something that happened pretty frequently. It's interesting that fast food restaurants are more apt to be robbed than a convenience store, gas station and even banks. Also, that many deaths have occurred as a result is even more unfathomable to me. I know that fast food is unhealthy and detrimental to a person's well being, but the fast food industry has negative moral and mental effects on people too. It was a huge shock to me when Schlosser revealed that the robbers were either ex-employees, current employees or a current shift and even managers. You would think employees would sympathize and relate to one another, not put their peers at further risk. It makes the job easier; being familiar with the location, possibly having the trust of the on-staff workers and having the accessibility. But many of us could do the same thing at our own jobs or somewhere that we know well, but that goes against our morals and it's not the right thing to do. It makes you realize how bad of a situation that these employees are in. I haven't found one thing that is truly good about the fast food industry so far... The only gains are the size of people's waistlines.

Love Through Food

Fast Food Nation discussed how kids are the main targets when trying to sell a product, especially foods. Although this was the main point, and very true, another point stood out to me-- parents try to show love through buying their kids these products, and often fast food. Fod instance, McDonalds was trying to be a family place, where parents could bring their kids for a meal, showing how much they love him or her, and this was successful. As I read this, I immediately realized that my dad did this. For instance, whenever my siblings and I played a sports game, we were rewarded with a win (usually Carvel ice cream) and if we lost, he'd buy us carvel as a treat to make us feel better. Carvel uses deals like the McDonalds dollar menu; ever since I can remember they've done the buy one ice cream sundae on a wednesday get one free. Also, when my mom refused my siblings and I something, my dad would take us out, making him the more favorable parent and foolishly we believed that he cared more. I can recall an argument with my mom about not letting us get Burger King-- I told her when I'm older, I'm going to get Burger King for my kids whenever they wanted. Another time, I questioned why rich people didn't get all the food that they wanted. As a kid, I wasn't aware of the health problems that came along with fast food. I was told that it isn't good for you, but as an active kid with a fast metabolism, I wouldn't understand nor see the effects of it until I got older. It's these simple deals that allow parents to easily treat their kids to treats. It wasn't until I got older and I had to start watching what I ate that I became a bit resentful of these deals, and what I considered my dad being affectionate. As much as we want to think that we can't be swayed by deals and commercials as kids, Schlosser was right, children's minds are easily targeted and although immoral, an efficient way to market these foods, deals and other products.

Talk of the Town Piece

The "Talk of the Town" piece Stranger than Fiction actually opened my eyes a bit. Although it wasn't a piece that was about serious matters, it was informative. Firstly, it made me wonder what other quirky groups and activities were on campus. I found myself walking around campus trying to determine if a certain guy or girl was in the Quidditch Club. I then realized that I've never seen a game played, and on such a small campus that surprised me. Anyway, I saw some odd looking people that could be pin pointed as someone that would be in Quidditch Club, but then I wondered if there were some closet Harry Potter lovers, that wouldn't be the stereotypical person that you'd think would be a part of the club. I saw a jock and imagined him being in the club, wasn't so sure if he was an ideal candidate. Those that I thought could possibly be in the club, I wondered which "house" they'd be in and why. The article didn't make me want pick up a stick and sign up for the club, but it did stick in my mind. The realization of this really made me think of what I could write about for my talk of the town piece. Would what I planned to write about stick in someone's mind? I don't need to change someone's life by what I have to say, but maybe if whatever I do say is interesting enough, it will remain in their thoughts as well.