Author of ‘Fast Food Nation’ to lecture Tuesday
Fast food items like fish sticks and ‘slow-food’ alternatives like crab-stuffed sole were available Monday night in dining halls across campus in honor of award-winning author Eric Schlosser’s visit to Syracuse University.
Schlosser, the author of The New York Times bestseller ‘Fast Food Nation,’ which revolutionized the eating habits of Americans, will speak at Hendricks Chapel at 4 p.m. on Tuesday. Schlosser’s talk will be the first lecture of the spring semester in the 2010-11 University Lectures series.
SU is bringing Schlosser to campus so he can discuss his book and the resulting slow-food movement, but he will also delve into the world of investigative journalism, said event organizer Esther Gray, senior administrator for academic affairs, in an e-mail.
‘Much of the discussion will center on health, sustainable agriculture and better consumer awareness,’ Gray said.
In an age of easily accessible fast and prepackaged foods, Gray said she feels Schlosser’s lecture will be particularly relevant to the eating habits of college students.
She also said Americans need to be more watchful of what they eat because of the use of pesticides.
‘So much of our food comes from countries outside the United States, countries that do not have the care restrictions on growing food that we do,’ she said.
Though Gray said Schlosser was invited to speak at SU largely because of ‘Fast Food Nation,’ fast food is not the only topic he writes about. His next book, ‘Command and Control,’ is about nuclear proliferation and is due to hit the market in the coming months, Gray said.
Gray said the internationally recognized author quickly agreed to speak at Hendricks Chapel.
‘He is very enthusiastic about coming to Syracuse University,’ she said.
Schlosser, also a playwright with experience in the independent film industry, helped adapt ‘Fast Food Nation’ into an identically titled documentary.
‘Investigative journalism is not all about the printed word,’ said Seth Gitner, an assistant professor in the S.I Newhouse School of Public Communications.
Maya Johnson, an undeclared freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences, said she would attend the lecture to see if Schlosser proposes an alternative to fast food. ‘Fast Food Nation’ was required reading at Johnson’s high school, but she felt Schlosser presented a lopsided argument against fast food, she said.
‘He kind of downplayed the benefits for being part of the fast food nation but didn’t give a trade-off for families in a rush or people in a rush,’ Johnson said.
Schlosser’s presentation is free and open to the public. Considering Schlosser’s high visibility, Gray said she anticipates a strong turnout.
‘Several people have told me that reading ‘Fast Food Nation’ changed their life,’ Gray said. ‘Your eating will not be the same after you hear him.’
Published on February 28, 2011 at 12:00 pm
Contact Debbie: dbtruong@syr.edu | @debbietruong
