Gather round one and all and you will hear a tale of beverage deception that is so subliminally seductive that even the keenest eye may be fooled by the subtlety of its camouflage. What I am talking about here is the American soda cup and our perception of how much of that delightfully carbonated liquid we allow ourselves to drink.
I don't know how many of you clicked the Well Quiz link at the end of the NYT article, but I did, and I think you should. Even though I overestimated to compensate for the lack of perception that the author spoke about, I was wrong more often than not. That simple quiz was enough to convince me. Either by design or by default, people routinely underestimate the amount of soda they are subject to consume while leisurely mouthing those wonderful extra-long, extra wide straws that are so thoughtfully provided for thirsty customers.
The Well Quiz would be an excellent teaching opportunity that could encourage students to think about some of the automatic choices we make in regard to our diet. I have a few ideas about teaching opportunities that emerge from the NYC soda ban, but I will save those bits of creativity for class.
Now let me take a moment to speak generally about my opinion on the NYC soda ban issue. I think that the ban is nothing more than a spacer, artfully creating a three-way gap between consumer desire for satisfaction, corporate desire for profit, and community concern for public health. In other words, this ban has the capability to give consumers pause. A moment to consider if what we want is really what we need. If there is truly a need for four or five servings of soda, it becomes a simple matter of choosing to purchase a 2-liter and a cup of ice. If there is no real need, (is there ever a real need for soda, beyond the type defined by addiction?), then what is the harm done by sipping, (or throwing away), a few less ounces? The plain answer to that is "No harm done at all". In fact, over time, it could actually help.
I think it is important to note here that there is an American culture of excess. There is something slightly out-of-whack with our comfort level with waste and abuse in general. Doesn't matter if we are talking about water (yup, that's in soda), or energy, or food, as a country we are estranged from conservation and/or moderation.
It is a "Big Gulp" society.
The NYC soda ban could be one tiny step towards normalizing the American perception of how much is too much. People need a fair representation of normalcy. Eight ounces is a serving size, it even says so on the can. Yet almost every soft drinks choice begins with more than one serving. The rest of the world consistently consumes (buys) soft drinks at serving size. Only in America does our culture of excess permit the existence of a "Big Gulp". Is it fair or ethical to represent 3, 4, or even 5 times a serving size as normal? With the growing problems of juvenile and adult diabetes, as well as obesity, is it smart to continue to cultivate an attitude of "I can eat (drink) whatever I want"? As a nation, we would be wise to recognize that there are already rules that limit the harm we can do to ourselves. Speed limits, seat-belt laws, and smoking bans are all irritating reminders that we don't always act in our own best interest. What's wrong with pointing that out about soda?
I'm just saying.
Until next time, I remain...
Simply Serious
You make a thoughtful and compelling case for why the ban might be something worthwhile, Lisa. As we turn the corner to thinking about what is here to be taught about, I want to amplify a couple of points that you make.
ReplyDeleteFirst, I'm intrigued by what you call a "spacer," something designed at its core to offer a moment's pause. Where are the other spacers in our lives? Do religious teachings serve as spacers? How about the day-to-day laws of man such as speed limits on roads, etc? What about moral precepts (about how we treat the aged, for example) or even classroom guidelines like "don't speak while someone else is speaking?" or the like? I think that what you label as spacers delineates a potentially very interesting terrain as we think about our personal conduct.
At a more concrete level, I'm very intrigued by your observation that:
"The rest of the world consistently consumes (buys) soft drinks at serving size. Only in America does our culture of excess permit the existence of a "Big Gulp".
This is very interesting, Lisa, and could be a great topic for further investigation. Is this so? How might we be able to gauge whether or not this is more nearly an American problem? If it is, does it have more to do with something that is uniquely about American culture, or is it more reflective of our being a comparatively wealthy nation?
You raise lots of good questions, Lisa...
"A moment to consider if what we want is really what we need."
ReplyDeleteI really liked how you approached the soda ban. I think if we took a moment like you suggested it would be beneficial in all aspects of our life. Your post reminded me of the 695 coding assignment where we looked at the letters about downsizing. One couple had to carefully consider how they were spending their money (in contrast to what they had been doing) and I think it was a blessing. Many people want to consume, consume, consume even though our needs a met by much less. Every moment that we consider what we really need is useful. Setting a budget as opposed to impulse buying, stopping eating when we are full as opposed to eating until the plate is empty both go along with your suggestion and I think it is useful in teaching too. WE have time constraints as teachers and we have to consider how to utilize our time and resources, so we must consider what students need, not just cool or fun activities. Thank you for your thoughtful analysis.