Eric Schlosser’s introduction to his book, Fast Food Nation, is an eye-opening, easy read. I personally appreciated his didactic tone and use of familiar metaphors. In reading the eight-page introduction, I found myself figuratively fumbling the ball, or more literally losing my hold on the knowledge I once considered true in light of new evidence. While the fast food industry makes a ridiculously high profit, provides an immense amount of new jobs, and offers “uniformity” (4) on nearly every corner of the nation, it also has led to the demise of home cooked meals, the extinction of family farms, as well as safe and fair working conditions. Admittedly, the number one fast food chain, McDonalds, has overcome many challenges and should pride itself on its advertising abilities; however, the company should consider the contradiction between claiming that they are “inexpensive and convienent” (8), when in reality they create a reckless receipt and compromising challenges for farmers, workers, and consumers. The following are key excerpt of the Schlosser’s article where the facts were so convincing that I was forced to write “WHAT?!?!” in the margin as I contemplated the fast food industry’s impact on society in comparison to other large-scale issues such as religion, economy, and voice:
- “The Golden Arches are now more widely recognized than the Christian cross” (4).
“The United States now has more prison inmates than full-time famers” (8).
“The federal government has the legal authority to recall a defective toaster oven or stuffed animal – but still lacks the power to recall tons of contaminated, potentially lethal meat” (8).