# The death-spike industry **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 27, 2004, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-death-spike-industry/247351 "2004-05-27T15:43:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-death-spike-industry/247351/21 "2004-05-27T17:43:35Z")
> [@pizzabrat](#): > > First, he didn’t “overeat”, he only ate three “meals” a day. Of course he overate. You don’t gain 20 pounds in a month unless you _do_ overeat. Period. He took in more calories than he expended. That’s the definition of overeating. ---
**Author:** ![pizzabrat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e9c0ed/32.png) [@pizzabrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pizzabrat)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-death-spike-industry/247351/22 "2004-05-27T17:45:26Z")
Whoops, just slide the last quotation mark in the last post to just after “alone”. ---
**Author:** ![pizzabrat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e9c0ed/32.png) [@pizzabrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pizzabrat)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-death-spike-industry/247351/23 "2004-05-27T17:48:08Z")
> [@Q.E.D.](#): > > Of course he overate. You don’t gain 20 pounds in a month unless you _do_ overeat. Period. He took in more calories than he expended. That’s the definition of overeating. That’s why I put “overeat” in quotations. In real life he did overeat, but by McDonald’s standards, he ate single, complete portions. ---
**Author:** ![MysteryFellow63427](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e4f/32.png) [@MysteryFellow63427](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MysteryFellow63427)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-death-spike-industry/247351/24 "2004-05-27T17:51:46Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > How long have people been able to sell us stuff that’s bad for us, while telling us otherwise? Well, how long have aspirin and alcohol been on the market? A long time. _Aspirin_? Aspirin is a useful drug that saves many lives every year - it is **not** “bad for us.” ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-death-spike-industry/247351/25 "2004-05-27T17:54:06Z")
Well, I for one can see some truth in the OP regarding the inconsistency of laws. Clearly, it’s been established that the federal government can intervene and either A) restrict access to adults (such as they are) or B) require warning labels on perfectly legal-to-sell products. It’s done on alcohol and tobacco products. And hell, certain…um…pharmaceuticals are banned outright. I think we’re all in agreement on that. So if the government decides to restrict fast food outlets to only sell to those over 18 it strikes me it would be perfectly within precedent to do so. In addition, where firms have been found to advertise fraudulently there’s ample precedent for the government to intervene. Cigarette companies used to advertise that their products would steady the nerves and improve your health. Not all that subtle. Given the heat the tobacco firms have taken and the GREAT pains the pharmaceutical industry takes in their advertising to not make ANY claim in their ads (Here! This product exists! What’s it do? Ask your doctor…not us!). Aside: I’ve always been amazed at that ‘part of a complete breakfast’ thing. Yow! ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-death-spike-industry/247351/26 "2004-05-27T18:08:23Z")
> [@pizzabrat](#): > > That’s why I put “overeat” in quotations. In real life he did overeat, but by McDonald’s standards, he ate single, complete portions. He ate their highest calorie meals and even they have nutrition information on posters on the walls. There are other options, even at McD’s, they do have salads and the like, they just aren’t the most popular thing ont he menu. But hey, at least they are advertising them (and are in fact including a ‘toy’ with them as well: a pedometer) far more than they advertise the other products (Fast food places tend to advertise themsleves in general rather than specific products, unless they are new or low priced). ---
**Author:** ![Binarydrone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@Binarydrone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Binarydrone)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-death-spike-industry/247351/27 "2004-05-27T18:12:26Z")
[QUOTE=Mr. Miskatonic] He ate their highest calorie meals…QUOTE] I believe this statement to be inaccurate. My understanding of the rules is that he not only was to eat every item on the menu at least once but that he would only supersize if asked. Ergo, he ate a “balanced” diet of “food” as far as McDonalds is concerned. ---
**Author:** ![Tower\_Dweller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@Tower\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tower_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-death-spike-industry/247351/28 "2004-05-27T18:13:25Z")
> [@](#): > > _pizzabrat_…where did I say anything about government dictation … I guess people jumped ahead. McD’s is in the business of selling food (or “food” if you prefer) and making money. I’ve never heard them claim that they expect you to eat there three times a day, every day, and be healthy. I’m sure the executives don’t eat there three times a day. It doesn’t matter. What is your solution? That this corporation should just fold up, since it’s food isn’t the pinacle of healthyness? That the government should narrowly define food as something that, even if consumed to excess, will not cause the average person to gain weight? That’s kind of what it sounds like, and what I think made other posters jump down your throat about government regulation. In your defense, I don’t remember you ever saying that. My argument is that people are responsible for their own actions. There are many, many things in the world that can cause harm - cleaners that can poison people accidently, tools that can injure people if used improperly, etc. Other than warning labels, what is the company’s responsiblity? McD’s may annoy you because they seem two-faced - they seem to promise good food, and downplay how unhealthy it is. But they label all of their stuff, you can get all of the nutritional information. If the consumer isn’t being lied to, then I don’t see how the consumer can blame anybody else. And there are plenty of low-cost, healthy foods available in all grocery stores. It just takes more time to prepare them than it does to go through the drive-through. ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Badger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/848f3c/32.png) [@Dead\_Badger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Badger)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-death-spike-industry/247351/29 "2004-05-27T18:23:52Z")
> [@kung fu lola](#): > > Eating healthy is much more expensive than eating crap. If you have limited resources, you have a limited “capacity to make healthy dietary choices”. I certainly agree with your broader point, but McDonalds is not an example of it, IMHO. I live on a fairly constrained budget, and if I ate at McDonalds three times a day I would be stony broke in no time. It’s possible to eat much more healthily than McDs for far less money - I would estimate that I feed myself on approximately £4-5 per day, whereas McDonalds would cost me more like £9. The man in this story hasn’t chosen to eat shit because he’s poor. However as I say you’re entirely right in general - I have a friend in public health services and a frequent complaint of hers is the ludicrous price of fresh goods in poorer areas (talking about London, here). For the price of about 2 days worth of fresh veg one can buy enough processed freezer shit to last someone almost 5 days. It’s entirely unsurprising that many people choose the latter option, but I don’t see how regulation helps in this situation. A fat tax would weigh ludicrously on the poor if it were sufficient to make fresh produce the cheapest option, and labelling is not the issue - it’s price. ---
**Author:** ![Dob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Dob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dob)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-death-spike-industry/247351/30 "2004-05-27T18:25:11Z")
> [@](#): > > …where did I say anything about government dictation or taking hatred out on people? I’m just wondering why these places can’t be criticized without people hugging on to its plasic yellow breasts shouting “Noooo! Leave them alone, as if there’s anything commendable about them”. they are not supporting McD’s, they are protesting against idiots. I mean this idiot ate super size fries twice a day!! Are ya kidding me? And people are all aghast he gained 20pounds?? Why doesnt he smoke a pack a day for 3yrs and see what happens??? If you want to criticize McD’s go ahead, but dont do it because their food makes ya fat! of course it does!!! So does Ranch dressing…should we yank that from the stores?? ---
**Author:** ![pizzabrat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e9c0ed/32.png) [@pizzabrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pizzabrat)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-death-spike-industry/247351/31 "2004-05-27T18:27:51Z")
> [@Tower Dweller](#): > > What is your solution? That this corporation should just fold up, since it’s food isn’t the pinacle of healthyness? That the government should narrowly define food as something that, even if consumed to excess, will not cause the average person to gain weight? That’s kind of what it sounds like, and what I think made other posters jump down your throat about government regulation. In your defense, I don’t remember you ever saying that. My solution would be to allow enough negative feelings towards the entire junk-food industry to cultivate until the industry keels over due to lack of business. Unfortunately, people act like you’re damning capitalism and their entire way of life if you badmouth anything sold on the holy free market. It’s not blasphemy to point out that processed-food firms are a worthless blight on the marketplace and society. ---
**Author:** ![Algernon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a183cd/32.png) [@Algernon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algernon)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-death-spike-industry/247351/32 "2004-05-27T18:30:41Z")
Am I the only one who finds it somewhat humorous and ironic that a poster with a username of **pizzabrat** is ranting about junk food? ---
**Author:** ![pizzabrat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e9c0ed/32.png) [@pizzabrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pizzabrat)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-death-spike-industry/247351/33 "2004-05-27T18:46:26Z")
And by “negative feelings” I mean utter contempt towards anyone who would happily sell that stuff to anybody. ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-death-spike-industry/247351/34 "2004-05-27T18:48:29Z")
> [@JuanitaTech](#): > > I think you should familiarize yourself with the following three concepts: personal responsibility, moderation and choice. I think I love you. ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-death-spike-industry/247351/35 "2004-05-27T18:57:48Z")
pizzabrat, not only does my family rarely consume processed foods we pride ourselves on buying as many whole foods as we can. If you come to my house and look in my cabinets, you’ll find nary a can of ravioli (a la Chef Boyardee), box of toaster pastries, loaf of white bread (a la Wonder) or package of sandwich cookies. I do have ‘negative feelings’ but they’re towards morons who gorge themselves on crap most of the time and then complain when they get fat or develop health problems. > [@pizzabrat](#): > > I hope nobody would defend a person who sells crack to children, so why defend Frito-Lay for selling the addictive poison they sell to kids? I defend Frito-Lay because they’re just offering a product that, when eaten moderation, has little to no negative impact on your health. Crack, on the other hand, well, it’s just great! But only if you’re over twenty-one. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-death-spike-industry/247351/36 "2004-05-27T19:05:36Z")
Thew OP is nonsensical. Not only does it employ a faulty analogy to make its point, but the specter of further governemnt interference in the private sphere is far more threatening than the occasional coronary from eating too many Big Macs. Sure, Mickey D’s is bad for you, but so are many other foods. Just try living on foie gras and champagne for a month and see what happens to you. ---
**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-death-spike-industry/247351/37 "2004-05-27T19:10:11Z")
The SupSizMe dude is a fuckin’ moron. I read that he had consumed about 5000 calories a day at McDonald’s. You can contest this figure if you like, but unless you consume a ton of calories and whatnot a day, you’re not going to gain that much weight in a month, as another poster noted. I’m also curious about the “liver damage” claim. What toxins exist in McD’s food that can hurt your liver? Last time I checked, liver damage was caused by infectious disease, heavy drinking, and bone fide poisons. Does McDonald’s sell a _verna amanita_ burger these days? I mean, what a dumbfuck. “I’m going to eat worst-for-you items on McDonald’s menu until I look and feel like shit.” He was going for a particular effect–what, was he going to give up on his movie project if Big Macs turned out not to be fattening enough for him? Most food consumed in restaurants isn’t much better than what McDonald’s has to offer. Restaurant food is pleasure food. No, most of it isn’t good for you, but people need to stop pissing and moaning over things that are in their control anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-death-spike-industry/247351/38 "2004-05-27T19:11:49Z")
> [@JuanitaTech](#): > > If you come to my house and look in my cabinets, you’ll find nary a can of ravioli (a la Chef Boyardee), box of toaster pastries, loaf of white bread (a la Wonder) or package of sandwich cookies. Well that was one short-lived love affair. ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-death-spike-industry/247351/39 "2004-05-27T19:22:58Z")
_After a short-lived but intense whirlwind affair that only lasted two posts, Juanita and Zakalwe parted ways. Sure, they told themselves it was the distance that did them in–him being in Florida and her way up I-95 in Maryland–but deep in their hearts they knew the real reason was because Juanita refused to buy Teenage Mutant Ninja-Os._ ---
**Author:** ![pizzabrat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e9c0ed/32.png) [@pizzabrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pizzabrat)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2004, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-death-spike-industry/247351/40 "2004-05-27T19:23:46Z")
> [@gobear](#): > > Thew OP is nonsensical. Not only does it employ a faulty analogy to make its point, but the specter of further governemnt interference in the private sphere is far more threatening than the occasional coronary from eating too many Big Macs. > > Sure, Mickey D’s is bad for you, but so are many other foods. Just try living on foie gras and champagne for a month and see what happens to you. My analogy was perfect. I’d like to see an attempt to break it apart. My hypothetical death spike chair could be enjoyed for a lifetime as long as it’s users evade it during its _regular_, meaning predictable, spiking moments. Even though they don’t actively advertise the spikes, it’s assumed that eveyone knows about them. Therefore, anybody with a shred of intelligence would know not use the chairs and sofas all the time (and definitely never fall asleep on them). Also, is there any place sells foie gras and champagne as their only menu item (with varying condiments, portion sizes, and dressings for added “variety”)? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-death-spike-industry/247351.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-death-spike-industry/247351.md?page=3)