I'm not your typical fast-food customer. I'd be lying if I said I haven't stepped into a fast-food joint in years. The last time? Just yesterday. I find myself doing it more often, especially on weekends when the thought of cooking feels like a monumental task.
Now, I've only indulged in McDonald's fare about four or five times in my entire existence. McDonald's and KFC stand as the epitome of unhealthy food, yet their establishments are always bustling with customers of all ages. I have this friend, on the plump side, who's a frequent customer. I'm not sure if he's hefty because he's a heavy drinker or if it's the result of too much junk food.
The thing is, I've heard people claim they eat at McDonald's solely for the taste, unconcerned about the health implications. There's this guy I know who worked at a McDonald's in Germany for years. He practically subsisted on their offerings daily and tragically ended up with cancer, ultimately succumbing to it.
About two weeks ago, I accompanied my portly friend to McDonald's, determined to assess the taste for myself. To prove his case, he ordered a whopping $80 worth of food. We covered the table with burgers. I took on three of them on an empty stomach, hoping to convince myself of their tastiness. No success. I swore that was my last visit. I've had burgers in other joints, and I know how they should taste, but what they serve at Mc... it tastes like plastic to me. Junk food doesn't even begin to describe it.
Their success doesn't astonish me. We're living in a "plastic society," where plastic has become the norm. Cars are riddled with plastic, furniture is increasingly crafted from plastic, even women inject some kind of plastic into themselves. The attention-based economy we're in is like a composition made of plastic.
I caught up with a gym buddy last night, a guy who likes to flaunt. Always sporting eye-catching neon yellow or shiny red training suits, he's an avid Facebook user, frequently posting pictures of himself in these outfits on social media. Individuals of this ilk will never find their way to Hive. I often hear talks about onboarding the masses to Hive. My take? Leave me here. I don't want to be harsh, but I'd prefer this community shaped by individuals with loftier goals, aspirations, and life principles than being mere cogs in this "plastic society."
Whether we admit it or not, the platform remains predominantly a blogging one, and that's perfectly fine. As much as we strive to broaden our horizons and take on traditional social media platforms at their own game (yes, even the art of shitposting), being a blogging platform suits us just fine.
Speaking from my eleven years of Facebook experience that ended in 2017, I didn't gain any sustainable knowledge. Hive, on the other hand, has been a profound source of learning and support during my toughest times. It's different, and that's perhaps why the masses aren't swarming in. Marketing might be an issue too, but frankly, I'd rather not have Facebook and Instagram influencers, championing this "plastic-based living," flood this space.
Now, circling back to fast food and junk food – there's an aspect not many discuss, and that's "the new normal" of our current society. Somehow, it's perfectly normal to devour McDonald's, sip on Coca Cola, and indulge in copious amounts of sugary delights. But, heaven forbid, eating eggs because they have cholesterol is deemed unhealthy.
What was once considered healthy and normal is now seen as a health hazard, while junk food and plastics get a pass. Why? Because there's big money in the fast-food industry, and there's undoubtedly an agenda to normalize this "plastic society." It may seem strange to others, but that's precisely why I enjoy my daily eggs, meat, and dairy. Let me be the odd one out who steers clear of McDonald's.
Thanks for your attention,
Adrian
