Good book on how what we eat and what is produced is controlled by a few fast food companies.

Hmmm. I've been interested in reading this after hearing so much about it on the Bxing website. At the same time, I've been hesitant about what it might do to my appetite. When sgscarcliff offered it on the Wish List forum, I decided to go for it.

I'll journal more after I get into it. Thanks, sgscarcliff.

Somebody saw me reading this big red and yellow book in public. She said she read it and found it boring. Not me. I’m into it.

At this point, I’m reading about Kids as Kustomers. Did you know...

...that a marketing professor has classified “pester power” into seven major categories of juvenile nagging? For example, the “threatening nag” (Well, then I’ll just go ask Dad!) and the “pity nag” that implies that the child will be heartbroken, teased, or socially stunted if you don’t buy the thing

...that McDonald’s has distributed 80 kinds of Furby, and they sold 100 million Happy Meals in a 10-day period by including a Teeny Beanie Baby with each purchase? (I have soem first-hand experience with that one.)

...that McDonald’s has 8000 plastic “playlands” in their stores across the U.S. and Burger King has 2000 more? “As American cities are spending less on children’s recreation, fast food restaurants have become the gathering spaces for families with young children.” (I work in the social service system, and can report that they are also often used for court-ordered family visits, custody drop-off points, and psychotherapy sessions!)

...that corporations associate themselves with patriotism, school, and good habits such as brushing your teeth so that kids will see them as like mom, dad, grandma, and grandpa; that is, trustworthy

I’m only about 1/4 thru the book. More later.

I’m really glad I read this book. We should know what we are eating.

Schlosser is a writer for Atlantic Monthly, and the style of the book is like an extended Atlantic article –- very readable. Each chapter could stand alone as an article, if you don't have time to read the whole book. (Do not miss the positive last chapter.) It is well researched, obviously a labor or love –- full of the facts as well as the human stories that lie behind the food we eat.

I was most interested in the parts about the grooming of children to love fat and sugar and about the exploitive labor practices that are subsidized by us the taxpayers while lining corporate pockets. “What’s in the meat” was also pretty unforgettable.

Crossing to "weeblet" who is keen to read it and promises to try to keep it in circulation. (Mailed out 7/16)

gnissorckoob, you are a gentle*woman* and a scholar <:
can't wait to read it! will pass it on to known appreciators when i'm done.
thanks again!

Just got it back from my husbands custody, and he said that no matter who you are, this book will change the way you think about things. I can't wait to tear into it...
Promised to Tintti.

i always knew it was bad, but i never thought it was *this* bad. the amount of information in this book is a little hard to digest (ha!) so quickly, so i am buying my own copy to lend out to friends and relations. this book should be required reading for everyone, particularly those that are particularly socially conscious, or have children.
Let's keep it moving!

The book arrived today - thank you, weeblet!

Update: promised to myntti.

I don't have the book any more, but I do have something to add to the journal. Today in the news, there was an item that reminded me of this book: "Woman Finds Human Finger in Wendy's Chili." You can find the story through google, complete with photos, if you think you can stomach it.

Update (May 2005): The woman who allegedly found the finger has been charged with fraud for apparenlty faking the whole thing! Wendy's is exonerated.