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We undermine ’em with one hand and build ’em up with the…

“We undermine ’em with one hand and build ’em up with the other. The vitamins we destroy in the canning, we restore in Revito, the roughage we remove from Peabody’s Piper Parritch we make up into a package and market as Bunbury’s Breakfast Bran; the stomachs we ruin with Pompagne, we re-line with…” quote by Dorothy L. Sayers
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““We undermine ’em with one hand and build ’em up with the other. The vitamins we destroy in the canning, we restore in Revito, the roughage we remove from Peabody’s Piper Parritch we make up into a package and market as Bunbury’s Breakfast Bran; the stomachs we ruin with Pompagne, we re-line with Peplets to aid digestion. And by forcing the damn-fool public to pay twice over – once to have its food emasculated and once to have the vitality put back again, we keep the wheels of commerce turning and give employment to thousands – including you and me.””

Dorothy L. Sayers

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Critique of consumerism: industries profit by degrading food, then selling costly fixes, exploiting consumers twice.

In simple terms: Companies ruin food, then sell expensive fixes.

Key Takeaway

Beware hidden costs of convenience.

Themes

consumerism exploitation food industry capitalism

Mood

skeptical irritated informed

Type

satirical critical political

When to use this quote

  • grocery shopping
  • policy debate
  • health awareness

Key Concepts

ethical critique economic satire food safety

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does this affect trust in food brands?
  • What alternatives exist?
A Different Perspective

The satire may overlook genuine nutritional advances.

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