This week's reading consisted of Michael Moss's novel Salt Sugar Fat, focusing on fat and its effects. Early on in the reading, Moss makes a comparison between sugar and fat; he says that "if sugar is the methamphetamine of processed food ingredients, with its high-speed, blunt assault on our brains, then fat is the opiate, a smooth operator whose effects are less obvious but no less powerful" (148). This comparison captures not only the drug-like effects these substances have on our bodies, but also the mental effects of their addictiveness. Although this is a less intense comparison, the following are two self portraits done by an artist, Bryan Lewis Saunders, under the influence of crystalmeth and morphine - a methamphetamine and an opiate...
1 "bump" of Crystalmeth
Morphine IV (dosage unknown)
We know that sugar and fat do not have these kind of side-effects on our bodies - that would be ridiculous. However, their addictive quality and known/unknown bliss points contribute to the obesity of our society. It's shocking to realize that based on 2003 statistics, "the average adult was 24 pounds heavier than [they were] in 1960 ... and one in three Americans - and nearly one in five kids, aged six to eleven - were classified as obese" (238). That's outrageous!
With regard to addictions, I find it morally wrong that tobacco and food companies (such as Philip Morris and Kraft) will continue to market their products to optimize desire and sales. The food company even acknowledges that in order for them to do well as a business, they much cater to their audiences desires, but that the right product for us - one without sugar and fat - would not sale (249). Therefore, companies rely on our addictions in order to perpetuate our desires so that they will continue making money.
For more information about Bryan Lewis Saunders, click here.
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