Fast Food McFacts

There have been many books and documentarires in the last few years documenting the state of the food industry in the US, the mingling of agriculture and politics, dubious marketing strategies, conflict of interests, and the business of food in general.

And we all know how bad fat food is for us. Well sort of. Not really actually. It's pretty crazy once you start looking at the fast food industry in more depth. The ugly truth encompasses the quality of the food, the health consequences, the attitude toward employees, or the lobbying practices. There is hardly anything redeeming about it, even the Ronald McDonald houses are shady. I'm serious, I used to eat fast food every once in a while, but now when I have the urge, I picture the 100+ mashed up cows that make up my ground beef patty.

Notable movies include Food, Inc., Fast Food Nation, and Supersize Me, if you haven't watch these documentaries, go add them to your netflix queue right now! They have brought awareness to the state of our relationship with food in the US and hopefully have changed some people's minds and habits (it worked for me!).


I guess I'll give you my spiel on organic and local food later, but this following strip pretty much sums up some of the crazy facts about fast food. This really is only the '101 of Fast Food Facts.' There is more to disclose, unfortunately!

At least for now, I present to you; the good, the bad, and the McUgly.

Thanks for the info i-am-bored.com, quite a miscellaneous site but every so often you find some really interesting links!



Aha! and Huh? (No. 3)

As we continue in our random posts of interesting and lame eco-logics, I present to you the latest findings:

Aha!
I had to stop and take a picture of this parasol as we were driving down to Mexico a few of weeks ago.

Yes, it's an-upside down satellite dish used for shade at a roadside food stand.
Que bueno reciclaje, love it!


Huh?
This is a coupon for emergency supplies of canned goods, in case the world comes to an end, there is no food, and we are all ready to kill each other. And it is versatile: "Terrorist Attacks, Recession, Layoffs!"

Don't fret, just buy a year supply of canned or freeze-dried food and stash it in your bunker.

But if the end of the world lasts more than a year, then sorry, you're f***ed.

Cheap Books and Free Volts

On our last trip to Tucson we stopped at the local "Bookman's," which for those of you not from Arizona, is a store that sells second-hand books, movies, music, and video games. It has become a trendy place to hang out, browse their magazine section, and check in on local events, bands, and cool happenings in town.


They have stores in Phoenix, Tucson, and Flagstaff and seem to have been able to shift their marketing and reinvent themselves over the years to overcome the hurdles that larger bookstores have had to deal with, such as the event of online music downloads, the arrival of netflix, and Kindle-type books. Personally, I think trading and buying used books and CDs is super eco-logic and I honestly don't remember the last time I bought a brand new book. Actually, I do. It was Harry Potter.

"Free Electric Vehicle Charging Station"



Anyway... as we parked our gas-guzzling mini van in the parking lot, we noticed the giant sign that was painted on their front windows.

That's right, they have a free electric charging station at their store! I asked an employee; they say they get about one client per month that comes and charges their car. I guess in a sense it is not a lot, but it really brings the concept of the eletric car to the forefront, shows passersby what it could mean to own an one, and is a great marketing strategy for a company that in a way promotes recycling and conservation of natural resources.


And it makes me want to buy an electric car!

We are thorough reporters, conscientious academics, and we pride ourselves in our integrity and ethical research techniques. So, we left no stone unturned, no plug unplugged.

We tested it for you, and yes, it works!