LTED Blog

Patricia Benson Feb 18, 2024 Is Fast Food the New Tobacco?  Should the obesity issue be government regulated or remain personal responsibility? In recent decades, the surge in fast food consumption has prompted a discussion reminiscent of the tobacco industry's glory days. Fast food, like tobacco, has been related to a wide range of health issues, the most notable of which is obesity. This has caused many to wonder if fast food is the new tobacco, and whether government control or personal responsibility should take precedence in solving the obesity crisis. Parallels Between Fast Food and Tobacco At first look, the connection between fast food and smoke may appear to be a reach. However, when considering the negative health consequences of both, the connections become clear. Just as tobacco was formerly glamorized and highly sold, fast food has been actively pushed through advertising efforts aimed at vulnerable groups, notably children and teenagers. Furthermore, fast food, like t...

Is Pop Culture Good For You      Pop culture, which covers the collective ideas, trends, and phenomena of mainstream society, plays an important role in our daily life. From music and movies to fashion and social media, pop culture molds our views, impacts our behavior, and provides a common cultural experience. The subject of whether pop culture is healthy for us is a complicated and contentious one, since it has both positive and bad effects on people and society. On the positive side,   After reading Gladwell and Johnson's pieces of writing, I saw numerous parallels between pop culture and social networking  pop culture acts as a uniting factor, instilling a sense of belonging and common identity among various groups of people. Cultural manifestations such as music, art, and literature bring people together, establishing a shared understanding and appreciation for other viewpoints.      Furthermore, pop culture frequently reflects and confronts...