...English 106 Baldwin 11/20/08 Fast Food Nation When we say fast food, our imagination brings us bright and colorful images of MacDonald’s restaurant with a smiling doll of Ronald MacDonald sitting on the bench by the entrance. When we drive and see fast food places on our way, we experience a desire to stop and buy that juicy and extremely tasteful burger with golden color French fries we had in a place with the same name last time. Our emotions about burger places are always positive because those places have fast and excellent costumer service, toys for kids that make them happy, and the food always satisfies our expectations. Fast food and our daily lives are connected tightly, like mornings and a cup of coffee; it is hard to imagine America and the rest of the world without their favorite fast meals. As a part of modern society, I consume this type of food too. So when we had to choose one among four non fiction books in my English class, without thinking twice, I chose “Fast Food Nation: The dark side of the All American Meal” by Eric Schlosser, because it directly related to my eating habits. After I read the book, I was not disappointed with the way the author presented the information. Even though we were given a relatively long period of time in order to read the book, I finished it in one week, because I found its content interesting and appealing to my attention. In my point of view Mr. Schlosser did a great job by making the content of the...
Words: 904 - Pages: 4
...5/12/2013 Fast Food Nation The investigative journalist, Eric Schlosser, has written a book to illuminate an epidemic that started in America and is now becoming one of the world’s largest problems. In Fast Food Nation, Schlosser frames today’s Fast Food giants in history,American entrepreneurialism, and over consumption in respect to consumer and employee wellbeing. The power of all modern Fast Food giants combined have eclipsed the power of any one government. Marketing has become a key component to luring consumers to fast food. Schlosser makes the argument that a once AllAmerican ideal, fast food has grown too big to control. Schlosser highlights the freedom right philosophy of make your own luck through the story of Carl’s Jr. founder, Carl Karcher. Karcher did not grow up in the restaurant business, rather a string of opportunities and risk created a perfect storm for Karcher. At a young age Carl went to work for family in California. After 3 years he delivered fresh bread for a bakery. He was now married and took out a loan to buy a hot dog stand. 4 years later he opened his first restaurant Carl’s DriveIn BBQ. This was all happening at the same time McDonald’s was becoming big in Southern California. In 30 years Carl’s Jr had over 300 restaurants. By managing risk and a good business model, Carl Karcher thrived using freedom right philosophy. He also happened to be a political conservative. Order left philosophy is brought to life in Fast Food Nation in the horrific plight of Kenny...
Words: 1257 - Pages: 6
... FAST FOOD NATION To examine the how, and why of Schlossers’ book Fast Food Nation, where he shows how fast food developed and became the center of American image and society. In order to prove this I will attempt to illustrate how different elements factor in, for this cultural phenomenon to have become such an American cultural norm. First, look at how fast food became such a popular way of eating and living. Carl N. Karcher (owner of Carls Jr, Hardees) is one of the fast food industry’s pioneers. His life seemed at once to be a tale by Horatio Alger, a fulfillment of the American dream, and a warning about unintended consequences. This is one of the factors to its development of an American cultural norm. After World War Two people like Karcher and Ray Kroc(founder of McDonalds) had ideas to give the public a sense of home when it came to meal time, something that would be familiar not only down the street from his or her home, but also fifteen hundred miles away across the country. That let the public believe that McDonalds is like a trusted friend, said executive Ray Bergold. (Schlosser 50) One of the stories is southern California, whose cities became prototypes for the rest of the nation. After World War 2, Southern California had a rich and growing economy with high tech, and military industry jobs. With many young families, they had a need for new homes, in city and communities that would be a bastion for the fast food companies....
Words: 986 - Pages: 4
...Fast Food Nation Well in the movie “Fast Food Nation” you are given multiple views points of the different things that are part of the process of big companies and their food production. One of the view points given is from someone that is working at the directors board and at the top of the companies chain level and how they part take in the business of the company. The second point of view comes from someone that works the floor and production part of a food industry and you see what it is like to work inside these meat processing companies and how they actually do all their jobs within the walls of these meat processing buildings. And then the last view you are also given is what it's like to work at one the low level of a food chain restaurants and how they work and serve the customers. In the movie it follows one character by the name of Don Anderson who is the leader in the marketing division of a company called Mickey's and after discussing things about their famous burger the boss calls in Don and tells him about how some kids did research on the patties used in their burgers and the burgers had a huge amount of fecal-coliform inside the meat and we all know who is consuming that meat the customer on the other end which is happing everyday. So when Don is sent to go inspect the main company that is making the burger patties he is given a tour that shows a spotless and pristine work area and efficient procedures, but of course Don is not giving a tour of what is known...
Words: 1059 - Pages: 5
...The Changing of the Food Industry “In many respects, the fast food industry embodies the best and worst of American capitalism at the start of the twenty-first century – its constant stream of new products and innovations, its widening gulf between gulf between rich and poor” (Schlosser 6). In 2001 Eric Schlosser published “Fast Food Nation.” Eric Schlosser’s early 21st century muckraking text, “Fast Food Nation,” attempts to shed light on the consequences of the fast food industry on American society. The rise and growth of the fast food industry, like the meatpacking industry, illuminates the evolution of the American dream in post-World War II America. “Fast Food Nation” is a book about fast food, the values it embodies, and the world it has made. Fast food has proven to be a revolutionary force in American life; I am interested in it both as a commodity and as a metaphor. What people eat (or don’t eat) has always been determined by a complex interplay of social, economic, and technological forces (Schlosser 3). The fast food industry has been the largest industry to affect American society. It began as an industry with a few food stands here and there to an industry that has spread to every corner of America and wherever there are paying customers. The fast food industry has no limits. One can find fast food nearly anywhere nowadays in America. A person can find fast food at restaurants, zoos, stadiums, airports, malls, universities, trains, airplanes, Wal-Mart’s, gas...
Words: 1479 - Pages: 6
...Fast Food Nation: The McDonaldization of Society The term McDonaldization was introduced by George Ritzer. According to Ritzer (1996), the term described a sociological phenomenon that he noticed in society. When the concept of the McDonaldization was first introduced, it was viewed as a process of rationalization. Rationalization is viewed as a means of substituting consistent rules for traditional rules. The aspects of McDonaldization centers on the belief that any task presented can be rationalized. These concepts of Max Weber’s views on the structural change that occurs when humans interact and develop identities. This is compared to the principles of the fast food industry that dominates society. According to Larner and Spoonley (1995), the views of Weber’s analysis of society supports that notion that people will support traditional ways of thinking as an ends and means of viewing the world. When the fast food restaurant was first introduced, it was not seen as a traditional means of providing meals for families, but it has become a force that represents the process of rationalization when providing food for all families. Fast food restaurants have become huge in all American families. The fast food industry has grown faster than any other industry, to include the bookstores, childcare facilities, and toy stores. This process as viewed as the chain mentality. The chain mentality is when a concept or establishment becomes a force that comes to us. For example, fast food...
Words: 1065 - Pages: 5
...The Fast Food Industry The last 50 years or so have been turbulent ones for America. Millions of “Rosies” may have quit riveting but they did not quit working, and the Civil Rights Movement resulted in fundamental changes in American society that have leveled the playing field for most workers today. A costly police action was fought in Korea that is still smoldering today, and the last vestiges of the Vietnam War were finally played out in the most recent presidential election. During the last 50 years or so, America succeeded in landing a man on the moon and safely returning him to the Earth, and winning a costly Cold War. During this turbulent period in U.S. history, life has become faster-paced and more women have joined the workforce, all of which have been to the detriment of “traditional” American family meals, but all of which has been to the enormous advantage to the fast food industry. People around the world today may criticize America’s politics, but the fact remains virtually everyone loves American fast food and the industry has become firmly established around the world. This paper provides an overview of the fast food industry from the 1950s to the present, an analysis of what social effects were caused by and reflected in the industry, what marketing and advertising changes have taken place in the industry during this time, followed by a discussion of current and future trends. A summary of the research is provided in the conclusion. Review and Discussion ...
Words: 2578 - Pages: 11
...“Fast Food Nation” We all see the advertising and marketing for the big fast food chains such as, McDonald’s, Burger King and Wendy’s everywhere we go, it is hard to miss. A hefty majority of Americans continue to eat there a few times a week even though it is well-known this poor excuse for food is extremely unhealthy. It is just so convenient, they can be found everywhere, they have cheap prices, and the food tastes so good. It is a common misconception that these places are still acceptable to go to. Fast food has emerged into the most prominent symbol of American society, and that does not appear to be changing anytime soon. The McDonalds Corporation has become a powerful symbol of America’s service economy, which is now responsible for 90 percent of the country’s new jobs. In 1968, McDonalds operated about one thousand restaurants. Today it has about thirty thousand restaurants worldwide and opens almost two thousand each year. An estimated one out of every eight workers in the United States has at some point been employed by McDonalds. The company annually hires about one million people, more than any other American Organization, public or private. (Schlosser 5). As a nutritionist, this information absolutely baffles me. Something must be done to stop this vicious cycle. Fast food is remarkably unhealthy yet these chains just continue to expand and become more popular. McDonalds fries distinctive taste “does not stem from the type of potatoes that they buy, the technology...
Words: 841 - Pages: 4
...In today’s busy society we are so accustomed to our fast paced lifestyle that we are forced, in a way, to consume an easily, available, and convenient meal. With this being said, it comes as no surprise that fast food restaurants try to attract as many people as possible in every street corner. Fast food has never been seen as a healthy way of eating, but with all of the propaganda and slogans found in today's society, which parent could refuse a kid a happy meal? The fast food industry does not really care about the health of its consumer; this can be seen by the advertisements targeting youths and children as their biggest market of sales. Wooing us with their propaganda while we shove poison down our throats. As they say, the rich gets richer while the fat get even fatter. When modern families opt out cooking meals and settle getting a pizza for dinner or a drive through at McDonald's not only are they ruining their health but also instilling the unhealthy lifestyle to their children. Parents don't prevent their children at all when they encourage them to eat processed fat in the form of a burger and fries. Upon growing up, many of these children will develop a love for this food that in turn they will pass on their kids and this vicious cycle will continue. A goal of marketing is to establish familiarity and easily recognizable symbols like the golden arch of McDonald's. Due to this, commercial ads only have to show that logo along with a burger to brainwash us into driving...
Words: 1070 - Pages: 5
...Typically, when an individual hears the term “farm fresh” they picture wide open spaces, with happy cattle and poultry, and hardworking farmers. A few decades ago this image would be true, nowadays this is no longer the case. In Schlosser’s book Fast Food Nation he lifts the veil from what is really happening behind fast food corporations such as McDonalds and the meat franchises which supply them their meat. American citizens need to be more informed on what is going on behind closed doors, and the USDA need to be more closely monitored. Ranchers who typically had their ranches passed down from generation to generation ran into financial hardships. The average farmer now borrows around $500, 000 and earns around $18,000. Farmers could not...
Words: 1632 - Pages: 7
...Fast Food Nation Franchise November 7, 2012 Today in society, fast food is the number one food source. Almost every corner, there is a fast food restaurant. When you turn on your television, you see advertisements for fast food. You can’t run away from it. It’s like those Sunday morning phone calls form ad companies telling you that you have won a free gift for shopping at Wal-Mart. Quality of the product is the main factor in fast food. You can make fast food taste good, but if the quality poor, then it’s no good for you. The best products, makes the best quality. So how do you know who’s right for your craving. How can you determine what fast food taste better, and the cost is better. In the 1940’s was the beginning of the burger era. It was the times to start a business, where in the future it will be, one of the greatest things that have happen. McDonald’s started out in 1940 as BBQ restaurant. It wasn’t until 1948 they closed down for a few months to change it into the franchise they are. It was a simple burger joint, you know the one’s that served only hamburgers, potato chips, and soda. It wasn’t until 1949 they started serving French fries and milkshakes to their customer’s. In-N-Out burger was founded in 1948. They started off as just a burger place with fries and a bottle drinks. In 1958 they replaced their sodas with fountain drinks. They made it easy for their customers to eat in their cars in 1961 by making wax paper lap mats for the car eaters...
Words: 1006 - Pages: 5
...Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal is the well-written, New York Times best selling book by Eric Schlosser. Schlosser takes the readers on a journey as he digs up the contemptible secrets that hide behind the walls of the fast food industry. From exposing the rats and cockroaches found near the food, to the fake chemical flavorings added, to the torturing of cattle and chickens, Schlosser is able to successfully convince the reader to re-evaluate the option of going to a fast food restaurant. The use of real world examples along with relatable topics culminate into a book that is compelling and eye-opening. Schlosser goes into depth about revealing the downside of the fast food industry by using traumatic real-life stories...
Words: 590 - Pages: 3
...Choosing what food to consume can be a difficult and confusing process. What the body wants and what the body needs often contradict each other. Fast food places do not help the issue because of their convenience and taste. Even in grocery stores, citizens around the world can make decisions they believe are the lesser of two evils by purchasing reduced fat products and other unhealthy foods. In reality, these choices are still terrible. The process of selecting ones food should involve the consideration of how the product was made, the risks involved in eating it, and the effect it will have on the body. When choosing what to eat, the production and manufacturing of the food should be highly considered. As shown in the second film, the way cows, pigs, and chicken are raised and prepared is often dangerous, unsanitary, and made by companies that routinely cut corners. If an individual desires to pay the bare minimum for their food and doesn’t care about how it was processed, they may take the easiest route and solely eat processed food. If they consider the process of the food and want the best quality, their best option is to shop at farmers markets and even grow/raise as much of their own food. Animals raised by farmers with strong morals result in food that is better for the consumer....
Words: 553 - Pages: 3
..."A generation ago, three-quarters of the money used to buy food in the United States was spent to prepare meals at home. Today about half of the money used to buy food is spent at restaurants-- mainly at fast food restaurants (Eric Schlosser)." Fast food restaurants are spreading so rapidly that they are continually hiring more and more teenagers and foreigners to treat exceedingly awful, while also luring millions of people all around the world to indulge in their fake and artificial meals. Those meals that people are so addicted to, keep seducing them to go back to the fast food restaurants so they are forced to wallow in their obesity and make it worse. The novel Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser demonstrates how detrimental fast food is,...
Words: 1027 - Pages: 5
...Emily Andes Mr. Hardy AP English 3 Period 2 Literary Analysis Essay The Jungle and Fast Food Nation have become two worldwide known books for exposing the meat industry, and both were able to change the viewpoints of many people on what they eat. With the meat sales sky rocketing since 1961, our society can thank the inspections and production side of the meat industry. The Jungle, written by Upton Sinclair, was one of the first books to uncover the gruesome side of the meat packing factories. With this book the world was introduced to the exposed side of the meat factories in unsanitary conditions. Of course, Sinclair’s intention was not to write The Jungle in an effort to unveil the dirty side to the meat packing factories, but it was intended to be a love story between a young couple immigrating from Lithuania to the United States. Along with The Jungle is Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser. The statistical side of this book was also intended to expose the meat industry but by humiliating fast food restaurants and where their meat products were coming from. People were appalled by the facts this book gave, and they began having new perspectives on fast food. Overall, Fast Food Nation appeals to readers’ senses of ethos pathos and logos then The Jungle does. First of all, Schlosser does a much better job of convincing people to change their views on fast food products and all meat products in general. His diction choices are pedantic and factual, his details become emotional...
Words: 1884 - Pages: 8