Economics of Obesity

Yeah, and I am spreading the rumor that Shaq O’Neal is terrified of facing me on the basketball court. Let’s get something straight right here and now: many meals can be prepared faster than it takes to drive to a restaurant! I know this to be true because I constantly do the cooking in my family. People constantly lie to themselves. The argument that one eats fast food due to a busy workday doesn’t pass the smell test. I’m sure the same people would find another excuse if they were unemployed.

Many years ago an auto company wanted to know what truly motivated the potential buyer. Stupidly, they asked people what type of vehicle did they personally prefer. These folks generally asserted that they would look for a stable and prudent car. However, eventually the pollsters learned to instead ask what their brain-dead and irresponsible neighbors might like to buy. Needless to add, the truth finally came out. They really lusted for a snazzy gas guzzling auto. The same almost certainly holds true regarding what people will actually pay money for in a fast food restaurant. MacDonalds, Wendys, and Burger King sell only what the consumer truly desires. Does anybody really believe otherwise?

I can also offer some personal anecdotal evidence. Some years ago, I worked at a new restaurant as a waiter that did not serve fried fish. The owner was delusionally convinced that enough people were becoming more health conscious to make his business viable. I remember well the very first people who every entered the restaurant on its opening day. Alas, they left immediately when they found out that we served only broiled fish! The restaurant closed down within a year.