Fast Food Nation Pt 2

Fast Food Nation, a book by Eric Schlosser detailing the business and culture of the fast food industry, is able to effectively portray all of the elements of the industry, from production and raising of the livestock to the marketing aspect.  This establishes ethos because the author can demonstrate advanced knowledge in every element of his text and shows evidence of complete research.  In addition, the book doesn't just say that fast food is bad for you, but unbiasedly presents the information.  This avoids presenting the industry as fat-filled and worthless, a necessary position to keep the readers interested in the book, even if this idea would be eventually proven.  In the second part of the book, much of the book is focused on the increased efficiency, standardization, and mechanization of fast food, showing the transformation into what we are now familiar with.  This does include the chemical enhancement of products that made the 20th century fast food taste so good before a health-conscious America promoted change.  From there, it is noted how working conditions have lowered and health risks are rising exponentially.  At this point in the story, readers are completely turned off from the fast food industry, a contrast for the reader from the humble beginning.  Because of this huge difference, the reader is able to feel the food service grow into a monster.  This fact is illustrated by the rising obesity rates across the globe after the Cold War, an indication of the export of American fast food.  Overall, the informative text was effective in painting a picture of the horrifying fast food industry.