Hi Carly thanks for the interesting read. When I used to compete in MMA and had to cut weight I’d catch myself watching absurd 10'000 calorie challenges. At the time I was being compelled by some strange impulse of scarcity and a lack of food. But maybe the logic of scarcity holds some explanatory power for the phenomena you’re describing as well. People could be drawn to viewing someone else eating fast food because the spectacle distracts them from an inherent lack of something in their lives. On some unconscious level, observing someone else display such gluttony makes the viewer feel superior and their actions justified. I totally agree with you that such fads are symptomatic of broader societal illness. Looking forward to reading more of your work.