#hyperconsumerism

Realistically, I wish I saw imperial core leftists talk about this like it's a matter of our colonialism, because it super obviously is when you start looking. But I love your blog, so here's one little guy who cares about your country's obesity rate, at least!

Hey! Sorry it took me so long to respond to this, I wanted to give it the amount of thought/research it deserves.

I only vaguely understood in terms of the US throwing their weight around as an economic superpower to flood the global economy with ultra-processed foods and agricultural excesses (link)

This paper is REALLY in-depth! It covers a large range of topics for example how Big Food establishes hyper-local, grassroots supply chains while also discussing how, as anon mentioned, they make themselves seem beneficial and how they build relationships with foreign governments to influence policies. There are specific case studies for South Africa, Colombia and Indonesia and it also covers what governments can do to combat Big Food.

This is a little unrelated but I’ve seen some posts saying that we’re fearmongering UPFs and hyper-palatable foods but I honestly don’t think we’re talking about it enough because why are infants being fed them, even as a taste (link). And it’s mentioned in the paper above but Big Food actively works to get public health programs to not focus on UPFs (a shorter article on Coca-Cola in China).

This is not to even mention Big Food’s labour practices and environmental effects, do I even need to provide links? It’s been so widely discussed and even cursory research will give you ample resources. (I mean I will anyways: General overview on lack of commitment to end forced labour, recent public trials in the US on imports from other countries that use forced labour, greenwashing amongst these corporations)

I’m not disagreeing with you here anon but I sometimes take issue with how we discuss economic colonialism because it can downplay how the heads of state of other countries are willing to forgo the health of their country for foreign investment. I just think the wording makes it feel like the people who live in affected countries can’t do anything in the face of these economic superpowers (in the UK).

This is not at all to demonise the people who rely on UPFs, like there are a lot of things outside of your direct control (these foods are often cheaper, they’re shelf-stable, they’re engineered to be addictive etc.) These corporations are preying on and creating scarcity to keep you hooked, to keep you sick and fund pharmaceutical companies. I do try to limit my intake of UPF’s in a large part for the reasons listed above, but I accept the discomfort I feel when I fail to because there’s no point in coddling myself if I did it knowingly and no point beating myself up if it was unintentional/I had no choice. Even if you don’t think UPFs are bad for you they are hurting others.

I also wanted to mention shifts in employment structure and false urgency in work culture to keep up with the rest of the world because for Malaysia (where I’m from) I think that’s one of the biggest causes of obesity but couldn’t find a place in the rest of the post.

But all of this is why I have a big issue with the people in fat acceptance who pose as being leftists/revolutionary while being fine with consuming and encouraging others to consume UPFs. (Plus general hyper consumerism but that’s another post)

Thanks for the ask anon and I would really appreciate it if anyone adds more resources!