Lowest Common Denominator
Posted on January 13, 2012
Listening to the radio this morning, I heard an advertisement for a juice drink that came in several flavors, including “berry”. I wondered what kind of berry? Strawberry? Raspberry? Blueberry? Raspberry? Each of these berries has a fabulously distinct flavor. But what is the taste of the generic “berry?”
Similarly, why would anyone drink a juice that touts itself as containing “10 percent real juice”? What is in the other 90 percent of this beverage? A combination of “artificial flavors”, “artificial sweeteners”, and mostly, water.
Still listening to the radio, I heard another advertisement that boasted their product had won an award in a beer tasting for “best light beer brewed by an American manufacturer” or something like that. Again I wondered, is there really such a thing as an award for a watery, flavorless, mass-produced liquid whose name is probably (mis)spelled as “lite”? Am I an effete snob, who drinks only hand-crafted micro-brews? Well, yes, but that’s not the point.
What does this have to do with Body-Mind-Spirit? It’s about our mass culture’s tendency to strive for the lowest common denominator. If we accept that our best is mediocrity, what does that say about our spirits? What does the consumption of adulterated, chemically treated products do to our bodies? And how are our minds, our higher consciousnesses, being affected by the constant media assault that appeals to our lower consciousness, our primitive wants and desires. Sure, greasy, fatty foods taste better than their low-fat versions. They bring us back to those early days of homo sapiens, when roasting meat over a fire was a huge advancement (in flavor and in other ways) over eating it raw. But can’t we do better than that? And I mean all of us, not some privileged elite. Can’t we all aim for richness of Body-Mind-Spirit, and not settle for what our culture is trying to foist on us because it is cheaper and more profitable to mass produce it?
Take a close look sometime at the offerings in a convenience store. I would estimate that 90% of the shelf space is devoted to high-calorie, high-fat products like chips, nuts, soda, candy, ice cream, etc. Good luck trying to find a piece of fresh fruit in a convenience store.
What do you think? Are you happy with the way you or your children eat? Would you like to see higher-quality foods in school lunches and on store shelves? If American consumers decide that they didn’t don’t want those addictive but unhealthy offerings, food producers would have to change their ways. It’s up to us.
I would definitely like to see more healthy and nutritious food offerings everywhere. I try to choose a “Clean” diet where at least 51% of my food is raw- that is one ingredient-not raw as in not cooked. But there is no real market for this except on the fringes in more affluent communities. I am still arguing with my son (who’s nearly 21) about eating better food. He’s still essentially eating a school lunch diet without the vegetables. This is such a difficult topic for so many reasons:
1. People have to want to change
2. People have to be education (and seek information BEFORE they get sick) to change.
3. It IS more expensive to eat fresh and healthy foods
4. It takes time to cook and we don’t want to spend the time doing that any longer.
5. Americans resent being told they HAVE to do anything- even if it’s good for them. Look at those who resist seatbelt laws.
6. Society has accepted (and actually protected) the obese in the last 2 decades making it okay to be a big woman/man.
Okay, I could go on and on. Loved the Lowest Common Denominator’s point of view. I think he’s being simplistic.