What the World Eats

A couple years ago, Time published an article entitled "Hungry Planet: What the World Eats" which is an interesting visual conceptualization of the weekly diets of people's families from the far reaches of the world, from our own suburbs to Chad.
Here's a link for those who want to see it in its glory.

This article is actually very eye opening and lends itself well to serious contemplation and reflection of our own habits and lifestyles as people. It really highlights the wealth gap that is so often discussed in academia, and lets you place yourself somewhere realistic inside that gap. In this regard it's a very interactive piece. Let's compare a relatively poor nation with one from the first world so as to better illustrate my point.

(For an added connection for myself, this family is from North Carolina) They spend $341.98 a week on a fairly extravagant amount of what I like to consider "convenience" or "pleasure" foods, such as delivery pizza, Burger King, McDonalds and the like.

Then take into consideration a family from an environment less typical of a traditional nuclear American family, such as this one from Equador that spends 31 dollars a week.

In comparison it's not difficult to see who is more privileged. But both seem happy and comfortable with their stock in life, which strikes me. It makes me wonder what really makes a family unit connect and create lasting ties. I think that much like beauty, happiness is in the eye of the beholder. Life will do with you what it will, but it's up to you to decide how you respond. I take from this that you should radiate positivity whenever it's possible for you, because it's one thing that actually is in your hands as a person, unlike source of income or economic conditions.