4 ms·

Based on a lot of the comments here it seems a lot of you don't understand what it's like to be poor, how soul crushing it is, how unescapable it is, how you ha

Based on a lot of the comments here it seems a lot of you don't understand what it's like to be poor, how soul crushing it is, how unescapable it is, how you have to make short term choices at the expense of the future just to survive. A good example of this would be smoking, you know it's bad for you, we all do, it's an expensive habit and it's something people from poverty are more likely to do. Why you ask? Because they use it to keep going, it's a stimulant, it gives and extra bit of energy to keep going, to keep working those multiple shitty jobs with shifting hours, small breaks and soul crushing atmospheres. It's hard to think about the future when you are being crushed by the present reality. It's much the same with junk food. When time is the thing you don't have and money is the second thing you don't have. Cooking food, especially prep heavy food like beans that have to be soaked overnight, then boiled the next day, then if it's a large enough batch (which it would have to be for efficiency) you have to place it in containers, portion it out etc. We are talking about hours in a day that you don't have (made worse if you are raising a family, working two jobs, taking care of extended family, as many of the poor do). So instead you buy a hotdog from a 7-11 or a shitty vending machine hamburger at work. Life gets worse, seems like there is no hope of it getting better until eventually that little bit of you food you enjoy is about the only part of your life you enjoy, because what else is there. It actually almost makes sense in a way since you are getting the most calorie bang for you buck, and when that dollar has to go really far, and you aren't sure if food will run out later, the quick math that supports the immediate future over the long term one is what wins out. I'll never understand the cruelty of trying to place the blame of systemic problems on those effected by it.

rosser 7y ago
"Of all the preposterous assumptions of humanity over humanity, nothing exceeds most of the criticisms made on the habits of the poor by the well-housed, well-warmed, and well-fed." — Herman Melville
lawn 7y ago
“There is only one good, knowledge, and one evil, ignorance.” The people just don't know better and the only thing that might teach them is if they experienced it themselves. Which most won't so they'll stay ignorant.
username90 7y ago
> Based on a lot of the comments here it seems a lot of you don't understand what it's like to be poor, how soul crushing it is, how unescapable it is, how you have to make short term choices at the expense of the future just to survive. I know what it is like to be poor. I have been poor. I have had a lot of friends who were poor. Yet few of them were fat. Poor people are not very fat where I'm from. People in USA are not fat because they are poor, they are fat because they are in USA. Blaming it on poverty is a cop-out. I'm not sure why they are fat, but there is no universal law that poor people make bad choices and don't have time to cook.
- AstralStorm 7y ago
  There is a difference in pricing structure. Junk and unhealthy food in the US is much cheaper and more available than basic ingredients which you could use to make wholesome meals. Also much easier to store. We had a similar problem in Poland in 60s, people in some areas ate a lot of bleached flour (and potato flour) in various forms, inviting health disasters and obesity. But that was due to lack of availability of other things mostly. Pricing structure influences availability for poor. The "feel good" addictive factor is a real kicker. Some foods should come in black coffin boxes with a warning label on top.
  - briancleland 7y ago
    That's interesting. How was the pricing structure problem addressed?
    - AstralStorm 7y ago
      Initially, the availability issues were fixed by rationing (dreaded food coupons), then by improving production and transport, and finally the Berlin Wall fell, after a short hyperinflation almost everybody can afford basic food and most kinds of produce (except meat) are cheap. The problem is somewhat flipped now that affluent people overeat or eat fast food due to time pressure. These are more expensive than produce and basic components (excluding most kinds of meat, still) even including preparation and work required. Fewer people cook at home, though healthier take out options are quite available in many places. Small restaurants, kinda like old American "greasy spoon" but healthier and more often with disposable cheap packaging and cutlery - big catering is barely competitive. Replacing in many instances previous "milk bars" with both cheap and more gentrified options depending on area. I think the main difference is how near these are to living and work spaces.

rosser 7y ago

"Of all the preposterous assumptions of humanity over humanity, nothing exceeds most of the criticisms made on the habits of the poor by the well-housed, well-warmed, and well-fed." — Herman Melville

lawn 7y ago

“There is only one good, knowledge, and one evil, ignorance.” The people just don't know better and the only thing that might teach them is if they experienced it themselves. Which most won't so they'll stay ignorant.

username90 7y ago

> Based on a lot of the comments here it seems a lot of you don't understand what it's like to be poor, how soul crushing it is, how unescapable it is, how you have to make short term choices at the expense of the future just to survive. I know what it is like to be poor. I have been poor. I have had a lot of friends who were poor. Yet few of them were fat. Poor people are not very fat where I'm from. People in USA are not fat because they are poor, they are fat because they are in USA. Blaming it on poverty is a cop-out. I'm not sure why they are fat, but there is no universal law that poor people make bad choices and don't have time to cook.

AstralStorm 7y ago
There is a difference in pricing structure. Junk and unhealthy food in the US is much cheaper and more available than basic ingredients which you could use to make wholesome meals. Also much easier to store. We had a similar problem in Poland in 60s, people in some areas ate a lot of bleached flour (and potato flour) in various forms, inviting health disasters and obesity. But that was due to lack of availability of other things mostly. Pricing structure influences availability for poor. The "feel good" addictive factor is a real kicker. Some foods should come in black coffin boxes with a warning label on top.
- briancleland 7y ago
  That's interesting. How was the pricing structure problem addressed?
  - AstralStorm 7y ago
    Initially, the availability issues were fixed by rationing (dreaded food coupons), then by improving production and transport, and finally the Berlin Wall fell, after a short hyperinflation almost everybody can afford basic food and most kinds of produce (except meat) are cheap. The problem is somewhat flipped now that affluent people overeat or eat fast food due to time pressure. These are more expensive than produce and basic components (excluding most kinds of meat, still) even including preparation and work required. Fewer people cook at home, though healthier take out options are quite available in many places. Small restaurants, kinda like old American "greasy spoon" but healthier and more often with disposable cheap packaging and cutlery - big catering is barely competitive. Replacing in many instances previous "milk bars" with both cheap and more gentrified options depending on area. I think the main difference is how near these are to living and work spaces.