Americans pay more at fast food restaurants than they pay for movies, books and music combined. In 1970, the United States spent approximately $6 billion on fast food, and by the end of 2011, the figure had nearly doubled to $110 billion. Fast food is now found everywhere such as hospitals, airports and zoos. “What We Eat,” written by Eric Schlosser, reflects on his research into the far-reaching effects of American life. “What We Eat” is a look at the rapid rise and popularity of fast food among the American people along with the physical and social consequences of the rapid growth of the service economy. Fast food has a negative impact on the American people. The fast food industry can be compared to that of a drug dealer pushing his product down the throats of suspicious but ever-helpful customers. The community is doing nothing to stop this growing industry and yet encourage them to continue impacting the health of their customers. American life has been transformed by the fast food industry not only by changing the American diet but also the culture, the workplace, the economy, and the landscape. “Today, about half of the money used to buy food is spent in restaurants, mainly fast food restaurants.” (Schlosser) This may be due to the fact that approximately two-thirds of working women are mothers. The impact of fast food on American culture is evident just by looking at McDonald's. McDonald's has become the most famous brand in the world; the golden arches are better known than the Christian cross. “A survey of American schoolchildren found that 96% could identify Ronald McDonald.” (Schlosser) McDonald's is responsible for 90% of new jobs in the United States. The landscape has changed because of fast food… middle of paper… and technology has allowed inexperienced workers to cook efficiently to a near-perfect level. Technology has meant that specially trained chefs are not needed. “The industry doesn't have to hire professionally trained chefs to work.” (Moore). Millions of Americans buy fast food every day without thinking about where, how or why. The ramifications of fast food are impacting the American people both around their lives and in the communities in which they live. “As the old saying goes: you are what you eat.” (Schlosser) The customer has made the choice whether to eat fast food or not. The industry doesn't care about customers; studies have shown that the fast food industry is the reason for the rise of American obesity. “Live fast and die young” (Moore); this couldn't be more true when you consider the impact of the fast food industry.