Introduction
The article “Why We Get Nostalgic About Junk Food?” was written by E. B. Cadloff and was published in The Walrus in 2019 and updated in 2021. The article’s thesis is that the author examines why individuals develop a nostalgic attachment to junk food. According to Cadloff’s theory, people frequently seek junk food because it makes them nostalgic for happier childhood memories and a simpler time. Nonetheless, the article’s biases toward anecdotal evidence, disregard for marketing and promotion, and omission of socioeconomic considerations in determining how people view food call for a more thorough investigation of this subject.
Summary
In the article, the author explores the concept of nostalgia and its connection to junk food. The author discusses various theories that explain why people have a nostalgic connection to junk food, including childhood memories and comfort eating. The author mentions the role of marketing and advertising in creating a nostalgic connection to junk food. The author’s goal is to inform the reader about the reasons for the nostalgic connection to junk food and provide a new perspective on the topic.
Analysis
First, the article primarily draws from anecdotal evidence and first-hand knowledge. As it generates a confirmation bias, the author’s use of personal recollections and experiences to support an argument might be harmful. The author ignores the notion that not everyone may have had the same childhood experiences or may have different associations with particular types of food, by depending solely on personal experiences.
The author seeks to educate readers on the trend of craving nostalgic junk food. The author utilizes different types of evidence, including scientific studies, personal anecdotes, and cultural references, to support their argument. However, the use of evidence in this article is not entirely effective in delivering the message. One of the main issues with the use of evidence in this article is that some sources are not credible or properly referenced. In addition, the author’s use of personal anecdotes and cultural references may not represent the general population, and as such, they may not provide reliable evidence for the author’s argument.
Secondly, the text fails to acknowledge how advertising and marketing influence people’s associations and memories of particular foods. Junk food manufacturers invest millions of dollars in advertising campaigns that frequently employ nostalgia as a marketing strategy. This can affect people’s memories of and associations with junk food, making it challenging to distinguish between real desires and those brought on by marketing.
It should be noted that the author’s objectivity is questionable as well. The author uses strong emotional language, such as “happily” or “I missed it,” and makes sweeping statements about junk food and nostalgia (Cadloff, 2021, para. 4). These statements suggest that Cadloff may have a personal bias towards the topic. This bias can impact the author’s message, as it may make the argument less credible and more difficult for the reader to accept.
Conclusion
In conclusion, “Why We Get Nostalgic About Junk Food” by E. B. Cadloff is a well-intentioned but flawed article that attempts to inform the reader about the phenomenon of nostalgia for junk food. The author’s use of evidence is not always practical, and their personal bias toward the topic can impact the argument’s credibility. Additionally, the article contains logical fallacies and has a disjointed structure, which can detract from the overall message. Based on this analysis, it is recommended that the reader approach this article cautiously, as the author’s argument may not be entirely trustworthy. The author may benefit from reconsidering their use of evidence and approach to the topic to make their argument more credible and persuasive.
Reference
Cadloff, E. B. (2021). Why we get nostalgic about junk food? The Walrus. Web.