Kaitlyn Rowell

       When considering the title, "is fast food the new tobacco?" I've concluded that this statement is accurate to a lot of the information we see today. Fast-food has become extremely advertised and heavily pushed to society similar to tobacco after it launched its product, cigarettes. Something we see in common between these two products is the health hazards they cause long term. Despite the obvious health complications they cause, both products were still heavily pushed in the market. This issue is bigger than it may seem specifically within the fast food industries. Companies like McDonalds are advertising to children despite the lack of information on the true effects it has on your bodies. We fail to see proper labels for portion sizes and accurate calorie information. Parents should be able to know what their children are consuming and should be provided with the correct information so they can accurately make decisions on their child's diet. Similarly, when

 Pop culture has always been a large part of society especially in the 21st century. Popular culture continues to grow due to our new forms of technology and social media. I believe pop culture can have many different benefits. In society there are a lot of things that divide people whether it be religion, politics, family, social issues, cultural values, etc. Popular culture can be a way to bring people together. It could be with a funny meme or a trending new album of a favorite artist. This allows people to get along, share different common interests and feel included. Popular culture can also help create a more understanding society. With this new insight into people's lives you can see and learn about authentic experiences they have had. This gives society a different perspective on people. They can relate to similar experiences which  creates a more empathetic and sympathetic society. Popular culture can also be a tool to help young people explore their creativity, expand the