Analysis Of John Oliver

“The Toxic Truth About Sugar”, written by Lustig et al. varies in their usage of rhetorical strategies to try to have their readers better understand that sugar, as common as it is, can be very dangerous when a big amount is consumed in one day. The numbers in our world don’t lie: A shocking statistic is that there are currently thirty percent more people who are obese than there are healthy. This discussion arose from the staggering facts that obesity is becoming more of an epidemic than ever before. The United States has a choice to make: Take the steps necessary to slow obesity or do nothing at all, like it feels we are currently doing. This can be a good or bad rush, depending on how you assess the situation.

Michael Walzer’s essay on “What Does It Mean to Be an American?” raises many points about the American citizen. Specifically, he discusses “American” as an adjective (Walzer). “American” is often associated with American citizens; while this is true, the term can also be applied to Canadians and Mexicans (Walzer). American is such an ambiguous adjective that it is applicable to all countries and individuals that are part of the North American continent. Like Mr. Walzer states, American is not a truly defined term and America is not a country (Walzer). Walzer goes on to introduce a Horace Kallen’s opinion on American’s as anonymous and their “unique” pluralism (Walzer). There are exceptions to all things; the positive to being an American is the fact that Americans can be whatever they choose to be. I feel to be an American one must believe in the American ideals, they must believe in life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. American 's in general may be anonymous, however, upon further reflection they have left the definition of “American” open for each American to define the adjective for themselves.

In the article, “The Extraordinary Science of Addictive Junk Food, written by Michael Moss, discusses how junk food is manufactured, the science behind taste and junk food addiction, and how fortune 500 companies struggle to maintain consumers happy. He starts the article by informing us about a meeting held by James Behnke, between many CEOs for their infamous junk food brands. The main purpose of that meeting was to discuss the raising numbers in obesity and how their companies were contributing to that increase and to try and convince companies to make a change. Some officers decided to stay and listen while some left because they didn’t want to hear the “nonsense” Behnke was saying. Should they attempt to make changes to their products or trick the consumers with advertisements promoting newer, healthier versions of unhealthy products?

In our daily life, we all have tasted sugar probably more than you think. Sugar is something we enjoy without having much concern, in fact this can be problematic. With the amount of sugar we take in, it can affect our health in the future. Therefore, the US government should create strict sugar regulations, in order to prevent future health problems of its citizens. The regulation can hopefully help prevent the increasing rate of diabetes, more risk of liver issues, and reduce people’s sugar addiction. Most people are unaware of these problems and it’s up to the US to make a change in people's health with a strict sugar regulation.

In the documentary film “Fed Up”, sugar and the sweeteners in our food or beverages is featured to be the prime ingredient that is making the most of our adolescents obese. It tells of a few families struggling with obesity, and how these families have been trying to do everything they can to help their children lose weight. It shows what kind of food that they are eating at home and the weight problem that most of the family is struggling with. The food that is being served at schools and also the thousands of products that contain sugar, everywhere groceries are bought; sugar is the main cause for obesity. It tells that low wage earners have no choice, but to buy unhealthy food, because healthier food cost more. “The bottom line: cheap, unhealthy foods mixed with a sedentary lifestyle has made obesity the new normal in America. There is no single, simple answer to explain the obesity patterns in America, says Walter Willett, who chairs the department of nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health” article in the U. S. News. Although it does cost more, a school of public health wrote in an article, “While healthier diets did cost more, the difference was smaller than many people might have expected. Over the course of a year, $1.50/day more for eating a healthy diet would increase food costs for one person by about $550 per year. On the other hand, this price difference is very small in comparison to the economic costs of diet-related chronic diseases, which would be

“They (Food Production Corporations) may have salt, sugar, and fat on their side, but we, ultimately, have the power to make choices. After all, we decide what to buy. We decide how much to eat.” (Moss 346). In today’s society, junk food needs no introduction as everyone enjoys the taste of junk food because it is fast, tasty, and affordable but not everyone knows what all goes into their food. Over the years the food industries have drastically changed how food is produced and manufactured. Moss reflects upon the motivations and practices by the food industries which have transformed the American food supply by the use of the three key ingredients, salt, sugar, and fat. Through Michael Moss’s use of rhetorical appeals in his book Salt, Sugar, Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us, he discusses the extraordinary science behind what is considered tasty food, how multinational food companies use the key ingredients, salt sugar, and fat to increase sales and how other literary elements can help create trust between the author and audience thus increasing the effect of his arguments.

While watching the daily show, John Oliver's views  on standardized tests are clear.   “Standardized test is the fastest way to terrify any child with five letters outside of just whispering the word clown”. Standardized tests are a way of testing a person’s intelligence. Teachers around the country prepare students all year just to fill in bubbles on multiple choice questions, evaluating whether or not they are capable of retaining information and passing the tests. However, a student should not be judged on how well he/she does on a test that judges you solely on memorization and not skill and/or talent. Throughout the video Oliver often uses  his comedic skills to help explain the situation that’s going on. He has quite a way with words

Analyzing communication messages through late-night shows varies. Mixing humor with specific news stories provides an interesting message, depending on the audience. Last Week Tonight With John Oliver uses specific news segments and analyzes it through the use of extensive research and humor. This includes his segment on the New York Yankees, where he makes it very clear which position he is taking on the issue. This segment dives into the elitist practices of the Yankees organization, which include not allowing fans to print out tickets at home and opening the elite Legends Club with expensive premium seats. Through the use of effective theories and

In the article, “How The Food Industry Manipulates Taste Buds With 'Salt Sugar Fat'” it talks about the frightening truth that has been going on in the past few years with obesity and diabetes. Americans tend to have a huge addiction when it comes to food made with sugar, fat, salt, and as well as

Pollan states that energy-dense foods are the cheapest on the market. For example, one dollar can either buy 1,200 calories of potato chips/cookies or 250 calories of carrots. One dollar can also buy either 875 calories of soda or 170 calories of juice. Most people opt for the first options because you get more calories for your money. This is the reason the daily intake of calories has jumped ten percent and all of these extra calories can be traced back to the farm. Corn has become a product in many of the things we eat. In 1980, corn, or rather high-fructose corn syrup, became an ingredient in Coca-Cola. Coca-Cola had clever marketing when they changed their eight ounce bottles to twenty ounces to get people to pay a little more for a larger amount of coke. Because of this, consumption of sugars has grown from 128 pounds to 158 pounds per person. If corn had never been put in Coca-Cola would we be healthier today? Would our consumption of sugars be lower? This chapter led me to think more about why people choose to eat the things they do and made me realize that these less nutritious foods have a big impact on us in the long run.

When most people think about sugar, their first thoughts are not: heart disease, addiction, or slow and painful death; yet, unfortunately, these conditions are very real consequences of the unregulated and excessive consumption of sugar. In Nature’s article, “The Toxic Truth About Sugar” (2012), Robert Lustig, pediatric endocrinologist; Laura Schmidt, Professor of Health Policy at UCSF; and Claire Brindis, Professor of Pediatrics and Health Policy at UCSF, evaluate the world’s ever-increasing and toxic struggle with the substance sugar – also discussing counter measures to promote healthier diets amongst American’s and other societies. Lustig and his colleagues develop their argument using statistical evidence as they address the global impact of sugar, refuting minor oppositions, before dissecting each harmful aspect of the substance – even comparing it to substances more known for their toxicity. Eventually, presenting readers with possible routes of regulation, the authors firmly suggest government intervention in the production and sale of sugary foods. Although the argument is well executed, I remain unconvinced that government intervention is actually necessary.

Summary: This documentary showed how sugar is as addicting as cocaine. By 2050, one in three people will be diagnosed with type two diabetes, where in 1980, there was zero reported cases. Companies know this information and reduced the fat, but doubled the sugar in their product.

In the episode “Scientific Studies” on the tv show “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver”, he employs a plethora of rhetorical strategies to depict his point that not all “science” is necessarily science as most might assume; and how we as a people have become blinded and misled because these scientists are contradicting each other's’ findings. He does so by using humor, making comments that some people might be able to relate to, and by presenting basic logic and common knowledge.

Jamie Oliver a well known British chef is recognised for his passion of food, many best-selling books, TV shows and restaurants. Jamie Oliver has inspired many people to eat healthy and to enjoy cooking at home. He has also rendered many campaigns to eat healthy and maintain a balanced diet in schools along with the population which has been marked highly successful. The road to his success is simple yet has been done through a series of different events.

Purpose: I want to persuade my audience that sugar is a dangerous drug that is damaging America?s health.