McDonalds use of the internet with www.makeupyourownmind.com.au  is an interesting development. Could it be the beginning of the end for a company that has been built by the power of network advertising on the the now declining free to air TV networks? A company run by old fashioned marketing types who haven't understood the internet? If pages like this start to rank on search engines for make up your own mind, it could be!

The make up your own mind website seems to have been prompted by alarming statistics from public health authorities regarding increasing obesity among the population, including the very young. The reputation of the fast food industry has been further called into question by Eric Schlooser and his detailed investigation into practices within the industry, detailed in his book Fast Food Nation. The website McSpotlight.org reveals more interesting details about the companies operations.  Paul Roberts discusses the implications of current food marketing to the survival of the current civilisation in his interesting and well informed book, The End of Food . The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan is another book well worth a read if you are interested in what you eat to your own health and the effect of your eating decision on other people as well as the natural and economic environment.

The internet is built on the basic democratic principal of freedom of expression. McDonalds have the absolute right to express themselves via the internet as does anyone else. Readers are however, free to draw their own conclusions from the information provided in the above mentioned website and books, and are equally free to spend their money where they wish and to choose what they eat. More enlightened consumers are starting to recognise that they can influence the way of the world by where they spend their money. This is being demonstrated by the increasing acceptance of the Slow Food movement, Farmers Markets and Organic Farming  all defying the marketing logic of the last 30 years as the increased demand is not being driven by advertising but a natural consumer demand. All these are developing without the big marketing budgets that have created companies like McDonald's.

Much of what happens in our society today is not driven by any logic, but by marketing. I'd suggest that marketing has become the science of presenting commercial and political opinion as if it was a fact  (Barry Green 2007) . Why else in system driven by economic rationalists would our society be doing so many things that are economically and socially irrational, like driving gigantic four wheel drives around the city's and eating more foods that are making us sick and burdening the health system? 

Australia's national broadcaster, the ABC has a great show about advertising. The Gruen Transfer  looks at how the advertising industry works. In times of war, this industry would be the propaganda department of government.

This website and associated radio service is funded by advertising, but we only accept advertising from businesses that provide the unique activities and attractions and products that you want to find while holidaying in Western Australia. Why would you want to listen if our programs were full of other crap? If you live here, or are planning to visit us, then a look around the site starting at www.touristradio.com.au  will help you to make the most of your West Australian holiday experience.  

God (or evolution) vs Satan   (anon, a received email!)

In the beginning God covered the earth with broccoli, cauliflower and spinach, with green, yellow and red vegetables of all kinds so Man and Woman would live long and healthy lives.

Then using God's bountiful gifts, Satan created Dairy Ice Cream and Magnums. And Satan said, 'You want hot fudge with that? And Man said, 'Yes!' And Woman said, 'I'll have one too with chocolate chips'. And lo they gained 10 pounds.

And God created the healthy yoghurt that woman might keep the figure that man found so fair.

And Satan brought forth white flour from the wheat and sugar from the cane and combined them.. And Woman went from size 12 to size 14

So God said, 'Try my fresh green salad'. And Satan presented Blue Cheese dressing and garlic croutons on the side. And Man and Woman unfastened their belts following the repast.

God then said 'I have sent you healthy vegetables and olive oil in which to cook them'.

And Satan brought forth deep fried coconut king prawns, butter-dipped lobster chunks and chicken fried steak, so big it needed its own platter, and Man's cholesterol went through the roof.

Then God brought forth the potato; naturally low in fat and brimming with potassium and good nutrition..

Then Satan peeled off the healthy skin and sliced the starchy centre into chips and deep-fried them in animal fats adding copious quantities of salt. And Man put on more pounds. God then brought forth running shoes so that his Children might lose those extra pounds.

And Satan came forth with a cable TV with remote control so Man would not have to toil changing the channels. And Man and Woman laughed and cried before the flickering light and started wearing stretch jogging suits.

Then God gave lean beef so that Man might consume fewer calories and still satisfy his appetite.

And Satan created McDonalds and the 99p double cheeseburger. Then Satan said 'You want fries with that?' and Man replied, 'Yes, and super size 'em'. And Satan said, 'It is good.' And Man and Woman went into cardiac arrest.

God sighed ......... and created quadruple by-pass surgery.

And then ............ Satan chuckled and created the National Health Service.

THE FINAL WORD ON NUTRITION

After an exhaustive review of the research literature, here's the final word on nutrition and health.:

1.     Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.
2.   Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.
3.   Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.
4.   Italians drink excessive amounts of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.
5.   Germans drink beer and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.
6.    The French eat foie-gras, full fat cheese and drink red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than us

CONCLUSION: Eat and drink what you like.  Speaking English is apparently what kills you.

Send this to at least 14 friends in the next 60 minutes to receive absolutely nothing back and something good may not happen, but may, or again may not, but who cares .

Here endeth the Lesson.