Wasting food on social media: The roots of a disturbing trend
As millions around the world face food insecurity as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, people are throwing perfectly good food away on social media for a quick rush. Though some version of these reoccurring memes have existed for some time (see: “how to eat candy corn”), the fad has taken on new heights in videos that show users tormenting fast-food employees, and trashing edible food. “Memes are referential, so their metaphors are supposed to be nuanced, but sometimes, memes like these [food waste memes] are very specifically made to be a type of engagement bait,” a digital culture expert tells Eater. “Some people laugh and some are super upset—but either way, it worked.”
