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We do things every day, like going food shopping, cooking, and eating. When food is given at a party, a restaurant, or even our homes, we take pictures and post them on social media. Before cameras on phones, taking pictures of food was generally something we did for special occasions. The person with the camera usually focuses on getting pictures of people and food. As of today, the food itself is the star of the show, and most of us regularly take photos of ourselves eating and sometimes cooking, even if we don’t think of ourselves as shooters. All people have the right to food. We all live in the digital age now. The way food tastes changes over time. People hunted for food in the past, but now we use modern technology to prepare food. From caves or under trees in the past to the dinner table today. People in different places like different kinds of food.
Communication is an integral part of all parts of life. ‘Food communication’ is not a new term but significantly impacts our lives. A person might call themselves a veggie, a meat eater, an omnivore, or a foodie. Food brings us together physically and spiritually when we sit down to eat together (Visser, 1991). ‘You Are What You (Don’t) Eat?’ by Cooks (2009) makes the case. Identity, Food, and Fighting Back: Eating and cooking are essential ways to remember and create new things for people who want to see their identities as political and look for opportunities in the small moments and acts of daily life. Food is everywhere and has become more critical to our communication to express ourselves, show who we are, have conversations and rituals, and mark social relationships. Because of these reasons, we need to think more deeply about how food and its practices work as a way of communicating. It is also essential for communication scholars to use our particular theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of food. To put it another way, studying communication can help us understand how food is more than just survival food; it shows many different social, cultural, and political things.
However, the ethics and politics of digital media and technology have become deeply connected with the food we eat and how we eat it daily. In the past ten years, computers have slowly taken over the food world, from store shopping and cooking at home to going to restaurants and food politics.
At the same time, everything connected to food has moved into the digital world. Indeed, it’s easier to imagine social media sites like Instagram with highly stylized and carefully chosen pictures of home and restaurant-cooked meals that appear every day in our feeds. Also, YouTube is the same with its cooking and food channels. These include creative food hacks and how-to cooking shows filmed in people’s homes worldwide, as well as the popular live, interactive broadcasts (or mukbang) in South Korea and other places where the video’s ‘host’ eats a lot of food while we watch. A mukbang or meokbang, also called an ‘eating show,’ is an online audiovisual show in which the speaker eats different amounts of food while talking to the viewers. This style of music first became famous in South Korea in the early 2010s. Since the middle of that decade, it has spread around the world. Many different kinds of food, like pizza and noodles, are eaten in front of a camera.
Mukbang can also be educational by showing people how to enjoy local specialties or gourmet places. Food, on the other hand, is what everyone is talking about. Reviewing food online is becoming very popular. In my country where I reside, Bangladesh, the locals embrace a delightful food culture. We are renowned as a nation that thrives on the combination of fish and rice. It brings us joy to indulge in dining experiences at restaurants, and as a result, the number of these establishments has flourished in recent years. It has become increasingly common for individuals to reside in urban areas and engage with both traditional and social media. The media landscape dedicates a significant portion of its content to matters related to food. Individuals who partake in food vlogging typically provide their reviews on various dishes they try. Although they may not possess professional nutritionist credentials, they offer their subjective opinions on the appetizingness of the food.
People on social media and discovering a new restaurant the next day plan to dine there. This food vlog is gaining popularity, but it can be seen as a way to promote food. However, at the same time, the issue of how the nutritional value of these dishes is assessed solely through watching these captivating shows makes us eager to visit and enjoy a meal there.
Today's dining experience is an exquisite display of elegance, showcasing the multitude of breathtaking locations available for indulging in culinary delights. The younger generation, in particular, is captivated by the allure of food vlogging, yearning to explore these venues for memorable dates, joyous celebrations of birthdays, marriage anniversaries, promotions, and more. Countless youthful individuals have embraced food vlogging as a full-time occupation, as it not only satiates their appetite but also serves as a lucrative source of income. They have established diverse Facebook pages and YouTube channels, captivating millions of followers who eagerly devour their captivating content.
Occasionally, they collaborate with newly opened restaurants for paid promotions, while other times they follow their own culinary path. It is a well-known fact that restaurant fare may not be as nutritious as homemade meals, but its delectable flavours and tantalising aromas never fail to entice. However, it is crucial to remain vigilant about the nutritional value of such delectable dishes, as there is always a risk of food adulteration. Let us be mindful of the potential dangers while savouring these mouthwatering delights.
The writer is an Associate Professor of Khulna University, Bangladesh and Graduate Assistant, University of Southern Mississippi, USA.
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