https://www.eater.com/2017/7/6/15925940/instagram-influencers-cronuts-milkshakes-burgers
The article I chose to review is about instagram food culture. The main argument presented is that instagram food never has anything to do with the actual food. It is all about getting the food itself and posting about it. It can’t just be any food also, it has to be something completely original that is meant for a nice picture rather than actual consumption. Most of these food trends are some far out combination of food that most of the times is packed with sugar and just looks pretty. The elusiveness of the instagram food is whether or not you can actually obtain it. It also says a lot because the fact that you spend a sizeable amount of money on something so frivolous says a lot. People spend like 20$ on a sugar filled donut just to say they got it. Most of the time they dont even actually eat whatever it is they purchase. It is all a matter of showing off that you were able to get it and also bragging that you have the time to even seek out something so frivolous. Most of the times the food itself is too sugary and should not even be consumed at all. In addition, it isn’t only about the food on instagram but about the person eating the food. You have to eat food that has way too much calories while also making sure you look like you’re in shape, it sounds almost impossible. Most influencers create a facade so that they are not criticized too harshly online. They try to post to cater to their audience more rather than posting for themselves. Posting such an indulgent purchase while also maintaining an instagram worthy body just proves that the influencer can have the best of both worlds. They can indulge in such junk food while also showing restraint. The author interviewed instagram influencers and asked how they stay fit while also indulging in foods as such and they claimed they workout more to compensate. However, the author claims this may be possible but not likely and believes that about 75% of instagram food goes into the garbage. They also argue that the attraction to such a lifestyle is the idea that a beautiful woman can eat what ever she wants and still stay fit. Overall, I think this article provides thoughtful insight into the instagram food culture. It made me question when I focus more on a picture of an exciting food i try rather than actually eating the whole thing. I think the conclusion that we have started to eat mostly with our eyes and not with our mouths is a plausible one. I do however think the argument was one sided and the author should have offered multiple perspectives. It felt like they were bashing instagram food culture rather than seeking to understand it.
Hi Lelani, I completely agree I think our culture based on food now has become all about showing off. I admit myself I always take pictures of what i’m eating and sometimes i like the food but sometimes i don’t. I think that it’s time to start enjoying our food and focus on who were eating with and making conversation with people around us instead of staring at our phone looking at the food when we can look at it in front of us and actually enjoy it .
I’m curious what the defense of instagram food culture would be? I agree that this article is mostly critical, but it also seems sort of accurate to me, so I’d like to hear a different perspective. Personally, I don’t love all the emphasis on how food looks, and I get impatient when everyone has to wait to eat because people want to take pictures of the food first! On the other hand, perhaps instagram has opened our eyes to the aesthetic dimension of food in a way that is positive? I’m not sure… And I agree with Destiny that sometimes all the focus on taking and posting pictures takes away from the present moment.
Hey, Lelani I really enjoyed reading your food review. I have never been a fan of taking pictures of my food before eating. That is unless I am with another person and I want to keep a memory with me about that day. However, I have tried foods that look visually appealing but the food ended up tasting very plain. Therefore, I wonder we can get fooled into eating something just by their visual appeal. Is this a good thing to do? Would people be more open to trying foods if they didn’t judge them by their looks?
This food review and the replies have made me wonder about how society can get tricked into eating something just because they saw it on someone else’s page. I am a victim to this, as I am always trying out places I see other people post about on social media. I have to say, it is sometimes a hit or miss but thanks to that I’ve tried a variety of foods. So, is it so bad after all?