SIMS creates an
idealistic world where food and hunger is no object. Patel’s analysis of the
real world explores how “ in every country, the contradictions of obesity,
hunger, poverty and wealth are becoming more acute”(Patel, 2007, p3). In the
world of SIMS everyone has equal access too food and maintain a healthy weight
through regular exercise. No one is left hungry in a SIMS world. This
idealistic virtual world in some ways is in complete contrast to the real
world, as it is a world of equality, a place with no poverty or hunger. On
closer analysis of SIMS an American virtual gaming network, similarities to
real world food based issues become apparent, buying power and wealth, instant
food or food on demand.
“We produce more
food than ever before, [yet] more than one in ten people on earth are [still]
hungry” (Patel, 2007, p1). In the idealistic world of SIMS no one is left
hungry. Food is available at all times. Food availability in SIMS is in
complete contrast with the real world, regardless of being a first world or a
third world country. Atkins and Bowler highlight how “the distinction between
social groups, especially classes, in their taste for food and other commodities
may become badge of their identity”(Atkins & Bowler, 2001, p284), of which
has clear effects on the accessibility of quality foods. “It may once have been
true, the assumption that to be overweight is to be rich [however this] no
longer holds” (Patel, 2007, p4) as the issue of obesity now resonates with the
growing accessibility to fast, oily and cheap meals and deals, rather than wealth.
In most parts of
the Westernised world, society has immediate access to food sources. The local
corner shop, the bigger food providers (Coles and Woolworths) to fast food
providers (McDonalds, Subway, KFC) and in many cases we are now able to order
online with a click of button, it is delivered to our doors, without even
having to leave the house. Food on demand is also an element of SIMS. The SIMS user
has the ability to order or make food with a click of a button. Where SIMS
differs is that SIMS does not take into consideration cultural and economic
factors. Poverty, hunger and food limitations don’t exist in the virtual SIMS
world.
Reference List:
Patel, R. (2007). 'Stuffed and Starved' (pp.272-295). Melbourne, Australia. Black
Inc.
Atkins, P. (2001) 'Food in Society' (pp.1-19). Oxford University
Press Inc. New York, 2001.
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ReplyDeleteHey Libby, I really like your comparison between a virtual reality and the real world as portrayed by Patel (2007). I was reading about tea plantations in India and how the workers in a billion dollar industry are suffering chronic malnutrition, while surplus wheat is being left to rot in silos (Weekend Australian, 5th/6th Sept. 2013). The workers are denied even the basic privileges the law entitles them to, such as a modest retirement fund at the end of their working lives. Has slavery really been ended? Or does 'economic rationalism' just hide the facts behind spread-sheets and share-prices? Communism can't work but neither can unadulterated capitalism. The blue-collar workers of the world may not have sophisticated cultural idioms, but surely they deserve food, shelter and clean water for themselves and their families.
ReplyDeletePatel made the point that 'as consumers we can shape the market... by taking our wallets elsewhere' (Patel, 2007)and the same goes for the unhealthy food that is slowly killing us in its over-supply. We have to empower ourselves and we can only do it through education.
Reference List-
Patel, Raj. 'Stuffed and Starved', Black Inc., Melbourne, Australia, 2007.