When we were in Cancun, Mexico in the beginning of June we all commented on the sensible portions we received in restaurants. Then I noticed this BoingBoing post:
Hidden costs of super-sizing: 10x more than the meal
A study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison has concluded that the whole cost of a $0.67 fast-food meal supersizing is nearly ten times that, once you factor in all the hidden costs of overeating.Link(Via BoingBoing)
The hidden cost does not bother me as much as the suffering associated with super-sizing and over-eating. The unhealthy weight, the resulting lack of mobility, the aching joints… I think about processed foods. I imagine the body feels unsatisfied by the lack of nutrition in processed foods, which then leads to over-eating, which is enabled by super-sizing, which can lead to diabetes, the fastest growing disease in the world – and also the most profitable business?
I think about how this may have to do with our worship of the brain as the seat of intelligence, our culture separating the brain from the body… Is Stephen Hawking brilliant in spite of his body?
Yes, he sure is.. And how many would have the drive and innovative intelligence to overcome his massive obstacles. Someone was complaining about him making predictions that people must expand into the orbs around us in order for the human race to continue. Who better to see the wide angled picture of it all!
The comment I am about to make is not at all about Stephen Hawking because I don’t know the nature or cause of his condition.
However, I think that there are many examples of “brilliant” people whose lives were cut short by them not taking care of their body (i.e. their “stupidity” or body-mind disconnect). Can it be said that they cut short their potential, thus robbing us all? If so, then to what extent is “Super-sizing” robbing our average potential? In other words, there are costs to society that a dollar-figure cannot even be calculated. Perhaps taking care of both mind and body would be a more “brilliant” approach to life.
Here is some advice from the National Restaurant Association on how restaurants can attract more customers –
http://www.restaurant.org/business/bb/2002_01.cfm
“Serve family-style meals. People want large, family-style portions that they can share with others…Plus, the larger portions provide leftovers to take home, which is perceived as an extra value.'”
Maybe if more customers asked for half-size portions for half the price, or if they told restaurant managers that they could only order appetizers because they could not possibly eat those huge entrees, restaurants would get the message.
Stephen Hawking has Lou Gehrig’s disease, a neurological condition with no known cause or cure. It must be very difficult when an unfortunate genetic combination causes the body to not work well while the mind is going at full speed.