Coca Cola and Consumerism

Americans Abroad, Against Me!


Golden arches risin' above the next overpass
These horizons are endless
Americans abroad! Americans abroad!
Profit driven expansion into foreign markets
And while I hope I'm not like them, I'm not so sure

This is the best summer that I've ever had
European Vacation, me and my best friends
Americans abroad! Americans abroad!
Whatever there is to be said is said in English
And while I hope I'm not like them, I'm not sure

Here we are, a rock band looking for new audiences
Wherever we go, Coca-Cola's already been
Americans abroad! Americans abroad!
And I just can't help but think that there's nothing in sight
And while I hope I'm not like them, I'm not sure






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Advertisements are the master medium of subliminal messaging and omnipresence. They've gone beyond the basics of billboards and magazines to permeate even fashion (those super classy Coca Cola shirts? Yeah, I own one). Worse yet, variety is very limited. For example: There are about five major names in charge of meat distribution. Five. That's nothing short of ridiculous. But it gets better: while our business world is full of monopolists and corporations who we all speak out against... we still readily wear/eat/use their products. We as consumers create these domineering brands that conquer the market and make cuts we don't even want to think about, all through our willingness to put up with it. America's priorities are a bit skewed when the subject of food and business surface.


But what relevance does this have for the global world? Businesses such as McDonald's, Coca Cola, Tyson, etc. are literally taking over the world. It's almost a new form of imperialism, except instead of a single nation we're answering to a factory that mass murders chickens. That's a little crazy. Don't think something's off yet? India has plenty of McDonald's. As a predominately Hindu culture, they don't even eat beef. Are we sacrificing culture for processed fries? And if so: how far can this expansion of business go? Will it end with complete immersion to the commercial culture or will the natural economic cycle dispose of and renew business often enough to keep this mess at a plateau?






If you're super interested in food and modern misconceptions about health and business, check out Michael Pollan's In Defense of Food. And if his haughty dialogue doesn't totally turn you away, go a step further and watch his documentary Food Inc. Both are great resources full of interesting information on the topic.






Comment your thoughts!

An Introduction of Sorts

As an American, it is not uncommon for me to encounter those who aren't aware of what transpires past state lines, much less national boundaries. I myself was raised in the Deep South in a multicultural household that was nothing less than interesting. I've had one foot in America and one in an airplane perhaps my entire life. 

But this isn't a travel blog.

Rather, it's a community for the culturally interested. I will speak about my own experiences living with an Indian father and a Southern mother and will use this space to highlight world events. Moreover, any cultural notes I pick up in research or travel will also be spat back onto here. My goal is to create a communal place to discuss things of international interest and importance. Political activism, cultural anthropology, historical anecdotes, and even foreign music will all find their way into this playfully quirky font. 

But I want to hear from y'all too. Discussion is the greatest form of learning, so comment and talk to me! I want to hear your thoughts!

"Let him that move the world first move himself."

-Socrates