Along that same note, I thought this[1] post offered some interesting insight on the topic: "NYC Mayor Bloomberg's proposal is to ban soda sold larger than 16

Along that same note, I thought this[1] post offered some interesting insight on the topic: "NYC Mayor Bloomberg's proposal is to ban soda sold larger than 16 oz. Is it a government intrusion into our private lives? Shouldn't we be allowed to make our own free choices about what to do with our own bodies? The answer to both is a resounding yes, but nevertheless that's the trick. The question that you should have asked, that you did not ask because you were hypnotized into asking the above questions, is: to what extent am I free to make the decision TO drink soda? Soda was tested, refined and improved so that you would probably like it; but it was packaged and marketed so that you would like it regardless of whether you liked it, and "you" means you now, in this time, in this place. Do you believe 10th century Viking marauders who previously described rejecting pop music would drink 3 sodas a day? I saw Valhalla Rising. The answer is no. I just heard you say, "yes, they would. Yes, they'd take a few sips and find it delicious and yes, they'd drink 3 bottles a day." WRONG. If you believe that they would, then you are saying that marketing is unnecessary, all that money is a waste, the soda is delicious enough to hook anyone. That the terms "market penetration" and "early adopters" and "branding" are meaningless. But if [the Pepsi logo], not the brown liquid, but that image-- which cost millions of dollars to create and promote-- if that strategy was necessary to making Pepsi a huge seller, more than the minor difference in taste from generic brand cola which no one drinks and thus no one needs protection from-- then you cannot say that your choice to drink soda is a free one. And it doesn't matter if the risk of diabetes with the liquid in the bottle labeled generic cola and the liquid in the bottle labeled Pepsi is the same, because product= object + branding: Pepsi is more dangerous than cola." [1] http://thelastpsychiatrist.com/2012/09/the_nanny_state_didnt_show_up.html http://thelastpsychiatrist.com/2012/09/the_nanny_state_didnt...