We Were Born in the 70s

Summary

The author reflects on the overabundance of choices in modern consumer culture, particularly in food products, and yearns for the simplicity of past decades, while also cautioning against the perils of overconsumption.

Abstract

The article titled "We Were Born in the 70s" captures the author's exasperation with the overwhelming number of product choices available today, especially in the snack food aisles. The author, who identifies as a chef, laments the proliferation of exotic Oreo flavors and other food items as a symptom of society's downfall. Nostalgically recalling simpler times with fewer options, the author reminisces about 99-cent movies, classic candy bars, and the uncomplicated taste of fast food. The piece also touches on the increased stress from the constant need to track everyone's movements in today's world, contrasting it with the freedom of exploration in the past. The author suggests that the human mind and body are not equipped to handle the relentless marketing and consumption pushed by corporations. The article concludes with a call to resist the temptation of overconsumption, emphasizing that too many choices lead to confusion and that it's acceptable to opt out of the subscription-based lifestyle. The author encourages readers to connect and share to make a meaningful impact on the world.

Opinions

The author believes that the plethora of snack choices, such as over a hundred Oreo flavors, is unnecessary and indicative of a societal decline.
There is a sense of nostalgia for the past, where life was simpler, and consumer options were more limited and authentic.
The author criticizes the modern need for constant tracking of people's whereabouts, suggesting it contributes to societal stress.
The article posits that the human brain is not designed to cope with the incessant bombardment of marketing and consumer choices.
A key opinion is that overconsumption, driven by the fear of missing out, is detrimental, and society should collectively resist this trend.
The author advocates for a return to basics, enjoying traditional Oreo flavors over the latest fads like Sweet Chili Cream-filled Oreos.
The piece encourages readers to engage in real-world connections and sharing as a way to counteract the negative effects of overconsumption and to fulfill the author's life purpose.

We Were Born in the 70s

A Tiny Moment of “Really? Why Do They Make Over a Hundred Oreo Flavors?”

The Moment

I’m an easy target. Take me to the grocery store and watch me go down the cookies or chips aisle and I’m toast. I lose it. I start yelling at the cardboard boxes and plastic packaging. I cannot fathom the number of choices of Cheezits, potato chips, and Triscuits. Do we need pork gristle and candied trout flavored potato chips! General Gau pork bun flavored waffles here I come!

I see these abominations and as a chef, I don’t understand why people will purchase such items. Okay, I lied. I do understand and it’s one of the many reasons that we are in a downward spiral as a society. What? Sweet Chili Cream-filled Oreos are destroying us? Yup!

The Reflection

I miss simple things like ninety-nine cent movies. I miss Reggie Jackson candy bars, KFC Lil bucket parfaits, and Twinkies that tasted like heaven. Your choice of hydration was tap water, juice that started as a frozen cylindrical blob, or a pull top soft drink. Coke, Pepsi, 7Up, Fresca, or TAB. McDonald’s hamburgers tasted like beef and the Big Mac was big and you didn’t puff up like a balloon and get a stomach ache a half-hour later.

As a kid, I would wander around at night through dark streets in Upstate New York, cutting through yards and climbing fences. I managed to stay in one piece and not get abducted. You could do a whole lot more exploring in those days. I remember all day bike trips and getting lost but finding a way to get home regardless. There was no texting or GPS or answering machines. You were lucky if you left or got a note. There wasn’t this need to track everyone’s every movement.

I imagine that contributes to a lot of our stresses these days. We are always constantly checking where everyone is and where they are going. The problem is that we are flooding our minds with too many choices. Our mind and body’s basic structure hasn’t changed much since inception. I don’t think we were made to withstand a constant onslaught of corporations selling us constantly. Our brains and souls need to rest and rejuvenate.

I remember staying up late on the weekends, waiting for music videos to show up on the television show, Friday Night Videos. You looked forward to it all week. There was no binge-watching. You had to be present or you missed out.

I’m not trying to give you one of the good old day’s speeches, just telling you that our innate nature to consume everything in its path will reach an apex until we put a stop to our over consumption. Until we decide to stop buying everything in a box, being all colorful, and tasting like either pumpkin spice or birthday cake, we are doomed. Like Sgt. Malone said in the film, The Untouchables, what are you prepared to do?

The Takeaway

Too many choices create confusion and uncertainty.

Fear drives us to hide in our consumption.

It’s okay not to subscribe.

The good old day’s are just days. We are always adapting.

Josh Kiev is an actor, chef and tries to do his part by staying away from pumpkin spice anything and eating regular, double stuff, and the mint kind of oreos exclusively.

If you liked the above, I have lots more to share and I kindly request you to specifically do the following:

1. Follow me on Twitter & Medium. 2. Give a Like or a Clap. 3. If possible, please leave a comment. I would love to have feedback. 4. If possible, please share my article on your Twitter, Medium, or Facebook feed.

For it is only by connecting with the world at large, learning from the world, and sharing with the world that you and I will be able to make a genuine difference to the world. This is my life’s purpose. Take care for now. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for your time. Connect or Perish.