You are what you eat.
Food is a concept that is physical,
symbolic and connective. Additionally, because of its ability to be interpreted
on both an objective and subjective level, it is often used to construct
connections between individuals on networks. Atkins and Bowler (2001) convey
that food is ‘an important expression of our identity, both as individuals and
in reference to a broader ethnic, class or religious grouping' (p. 273). In my
personal experiences on Facebook,
individuals post photos of meals they have made themselves and obviously, want
to show to their sphere of friends. Alternatively, recipe applications appear
in the news feed or food advertisements appear on the right hand side according
to what preferences are highlighted in your online profile.
Image 1 retrieved from: http://vondir.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Healthy-Eating-Habits.jpg
In the week seven lecture, Kuttainen (2013)
emphasised food’s ability to symbolise attributes about both individualistic
and collective identities. From observation, foods that are likely to be posted
on my newsfeed are healthy, home-cooked meals. Regularly, the postee highlights
the viewer’s attention to the healthy ingredients and what sauces are absent.
What does this type of food imply about the postee? The food is perceived to be
healthy; this means that the individual can afford to buy fresh food and has
the time to prepare it in a beneficial, lean way. The fact that the individual
has posted the image of the photo infers that they are aware that meal is
healthy and that they want to promote a positive lifestyle image of themselves.
In today’s era, the purchase and creation of lean meals also infers that the
individual is affluent and can afford such nutrition. From this post, other
members of Facebook can share this
image in order to connect this same symbolism to their own identity or continue to
scroll down to the advertisements for trendy cafes which is another symbol with inferred meanings.
Evidently, food plays a part in identity
formation. As a symbol it can influence both individual and group identities
and thus, are chosen selectively to create the image we desire.
Reference List:
Atkins, P., & Bowler, I. (2001). Food in Society: Economy,
Culture, Geography. London, England: Oxford University Press. Retrieved From: https://learnjcu.jcu.edu.au/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp
Image 1, (n.d). Retrieved From: http://vondir.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Healthy-Eating-Habits.jpg
Kuttanien, V. (2013). BA1002: Week 7 A Case of Rum [Lecture Slides].
Retrieved From: https://learnjcu.jcu.edu.au/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_312_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_42849_1%26url%3D
Hey Gabriella! Nice blog about food :) As an individual who loves eating, I think that posting photos of what I eat on an online social network, is to show my excitement about what I'm going to eat and how it's look like because we all know that understanding visually is easier that understanding through description (verbally or non-verbally). Food is a place where we can study culture but it is also a transformer of culture, a geography of food, stated Dr. V. Kuttainen (2013). I think that sharing photos/experiences of what we eat on social networks, has a great impact on how food can be modified/transformed or re-interpreted by 'La haute-cuisine' Do you think that it is one reason why there's a lot of food culture?
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