"competitive eating"
Sorry if this offends anyone, but the whole idea of of this makes me nauseaus! They even have the nerve to quailfy this as a sport! The health industry keeps telling us obesity is rampant in the US and yet we have people that feel this is something to cheer on! Is it just me, or does anyone else think this is truly warped?
Add a comment:
Previewing your comment:
HTML Hints
Some HTML is OK: <a href="URL">link</a>, <strong>strong</strong>, <em>em</em>
Comment Guidelines
Post whatever you want, just keep it seriously about eats, seriously. We reserve the right to delete off-topic or inflammatory comments. Learn more at our Comment Policy page.
If you see something not so nice, please, report an inappropriate comment.
Start Talking!
Need a question answered? Have advice to share? Start a Talk topic now!
Sign up to get your questions answered and share advice.
16 Comments:
No, I don't think it's warped whatsoever. If you go the the IFOCE's Eater's page you'll find most of the top contenders, especially those at the extreme top, are far from obese. I think the whole of it is actually a good lesson in moderation except at certain times when you want to thoroughly enjoy some aspect of food, such as an expensive buffet.
LunaPierCook at 10:39AM on 06/26/07
I agree with huney-bumper -- eating is one thing, gluttony is another. To hold up competitive eating as a sort of iconic heroism is another example of American excess, and a horrific example at that, especially in light of millions of children dying of malnutrition. There's nothing cute about competitive eating.
hatlady at 12:47PM on 06/26/07
One could stretch the "warped" view and stretch it to fit many areas of life. Is it "warped" we here discuss the luxury of eating as an adventure when people are starving? Is it warped we spend money attending movies or the theatre when people are homeless? Is it warped to have a lot of clothes when others are cold? One can use this logic to make anything seem "warped".
I don't find it all that entertaining to watch people eat, but in my opinion the way most of us live in the non-third world doesn't really make us fit to register an objection on moral grounds.
Vitello Tonnato at 2:29PM on 06/26/07
Vitello Tonnato gets my vote for most level-headed post yet on Serious Eats.
The Guilty Carnivore at 3:10PM on 06/26/07
I stand humbled.
hatlady at 3:12PM on 06/26/07
I don't think competitive eating is exclusively American. So there goes the American excess arguement.
ThatGirl153 at 4:06PM on 06/26/07
Well, perhaps the way most of us live in the non-third world is objectionable to those that do, but, for pete's sake... some guy stuffing 50 or more hot dogs down his throat is pure gluttony, and is even more of a slap in that direction.
DaveFaris at 6:23PM on 06/26/07
Gluttony is also drinking till drunk. And yet, millions do just that each and every day ... while these competitions happen once in a while.
Just because someone doesn't like something certainly doesn't mean it's something to be up-in-arms about.
LunaPierCook at 6:37PM on 06/26/07
ThatGirl -- Perhaps other countries *do* exhibit behaviors that can be viewed as excessive, but Americans are known for their reckless foolishness and stupidity. Didn't we elect George W. *twice*?
hatlady at 6:41PM on 06/26/07
Apologizing in advance for injecting politics into a food blog. won't happen again. Sorry, ThatGirl, nothing personal intended. I very much enjoy reading your entries.
hatlady at 6:58PM on 06/26/07
Hey, I enjoy reading everyone's entries on Serious Eats, even those I don't agree with. Frankly, you have to disagree when it comes to food. It's the nature of having differences in taste! (Yes, I intended a pun there ... chuckle, please!) ;-)
LunaPierCook at 9:07PM on 06/26/07
Actually some of us do live in the third world, and don't object to the behavior of those of you who don't. I find eating competitions revolting, so I don't watch.
Lou at 12:12PM on 06/27/07
I should have expressed myself more clearly, I wasnt refering to a political adgenda or thinking in terms of third world nations. It just occurs to me that children watch these "competitions" and think "how cool" . I just see this as a dangerous trend for kids to follow. I'm also aware that many competitive eaters are not obese, but I have to wonder for how long that will last. and yes drinking is a form of gluttony, but how many times has competitive drinking been featured on espn? Thank you all for your responses I truly appreciate them !
huney_bumper at 12:12PM on 06/27/07
Do you really think that kids that would be cool? I'm mean for than a kid sized nano second? I don't know...I'm just asking. I don't know any kids that would be into it. To each his own.
Check out this website if you want to read some fascinating. I'm not condoning, or encouraging, just saying its fascinating.
www.sonyatheblackwidow.com
Judith klinger at 2:08PM on 06/27/07
Wow . . . I was on a short hiatus, and missed out on the genesis of this thread. But the first post that captured my attention was :
"ThatGirl -- Perhaps other countries *do* exhibit behaviors that can be viewed as excessive, but Americans are known for their reckless foolishness and stupidity. Didn't we elect George W. *twice*? "
Well, "ThatGirl" I am in sympathy with your query about "elect." And, I hope that you continue to exhibit the courage to post your convictions . . . despite any negative responses.
When we permit "political correctness" or "republican values" to enter into our plebian discussions of what we EAT or what we ENJOY eating, then that is a serious indicator that we established American Citizens must seek an avenue to address our concerns about two issues:
1. freedom of speech
2. freedom to eat as we please.
DocChuck at 4:41PM on 06/27/07
I just saw a news item on TV which featured a man eating (competitively) 74 (if I remember correctly) hot dogs. After living in a third world country for seven years where more than half the population went hungry on a daily basis, I am always disgusted when I see competitive eating contests. I am upset because it is an indication of how lightly we treat food which is a precious commodity to many people in the world and it reflects negatively on us here in the USA. I would like to see these type contests stopped!
oregonbill at 3:04PM on 07/04/07