using bullet points, summary of all consuming by ruby tahdoh. why is this a relevant book. what are its strengths and what its weaknesses?

using bullet points, summary of all consuming by ruby tahdoh. why is this a relevant book. what are its strengths and what its weaknesses?

Summary of Key Themes 

• The Death of Individual Appetite: Tandoh argues that modern hunger is rarely spontaneous; instead, it is a "socially engineered" product of technology, commerce, and media.
• The Power Shift: Since WWII, food knowledge has moved from personal connections (family/neighbors) to corporate entities (supermarkets, chains, and delivery apps) that standardize and monetize global tastes.
• Internet as Infrastructure: The internet is now the primary "food infrastructure," with platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Allrecipes.com acting as the main conduits for how we discover and experience food.
• Case Studies in Culture: The book explores specific phenomena, such as the explosive rise of bubble tea, the "wellness" drink industry, the performative nature of modern dinner parties, and the evolution of the cookbook from a functional tool to an aspirational fantasy.
• Democratization vs. Hype: Tandoh examines how social media influencers (like Keith Lee) have challenged traditional critics, but also how "FOMO economics" fuels viral food trends and long queues for artisanal goods. 

Why It Is Relevant (2026 Context) 

The book provides a "refreshingly realistic" lens for understanding the 2020s food landscape. It is particularly relevant for: 

• Navigating the "Paradox of Plenty": Explaining why the abundance of digital choices often leads to decision paralysis rather than satisfaction.
• Critiquing Wellness Culture: Exposing how "functional drinks" and supplements create new neuroses to sell often-dubious solutions.
• Understanding Foodie-ism: Observing how "foodie-ism" has shifted from a subculture to the dominant mass culture. 

Strengths 

• Engaging and Witty Prose: Critics consistently praise Tandoh’s "snarky," "humorous," and "laugh-out-loud funny" writing style.
• Historical Rigor: Despite its conversational tone, the book is backed by deep historical research, such as connecting 19th-century salesmen to modern TikTok critics.
• Nuanced Perspective: Tandoh treats pleasure and indulgence as legitimate human experiences rather than demonizing them as "guilty pleasures". 

Weaknesses 

• Lack of Central Organization: Some reviews note the book has "no discernible theme or organizing principle" and can feel like a series of disconnected essays.
• Geographic Confusion: Readers have reported confusion as the narrative frequently jumps between UK and US food cultures without always providing enough localized context.
• Ephemeral Language: The heavy use of modern internet slang and specific social media references (like Keith Lee or Nara Smith) may cause the book to date quickly.
• Subjective Focus: At times, Tandoh’s personal "indignation bests rigor," shifting from analyzing why we eat to prescribing what she feels we should or shouldn't consume. 

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