--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Future historians, I hope, will consider…" description: "\"Future historians, I hope, will consider the American fast food industry a relic of the twentieth century--a set of attitudes, systems, and beliefs tha..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e9/eric-schlosser-3894_attitude_future-historians-i-hope-will-consider-t_1701570.jpg" --- # Future historians, I hope, will consider the American fast… ![“Future historians, I hope, will consider the American fast food industry a relic of the twentieth century--a set of attitudes, systems, and beliefs that emerged from postwar southern California, that embodied its limitless faith in technology, that quickly spread across the globe, flourished…” quote by Eric Schlosser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e9/eric-schlosser-3894_attitude_future-historians-i-hope-will-consider-t_1701570.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e9/eric-schlosser-3894_attitude_future-historians-i-hope-will-consider-t_1701570.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e9/eric-schlosser-3894_attitude_future-historians-i-hope-will-consider-t_1701570.jpg) > “Future historians, I hope, will consider the American fast food industry a relic of the twentieth century--a set of attitudes, systems, and beliefs that emerged from postwar southern California, that embodied its limitless faith in technology, that quickly spread across the globe, flourished briefly, and then receded, once its true costs became clear and its thinking became obsolete.” [Eric Schlosser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-schlosser/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote predicts that future scholars will view American fast‑food as a short‑lived cultural artifact born from post‑war optimism and tech faith, which collapsed when its hidden costs were revealed. **In simple terms:** Fast food will be seen as a fleeting, tech‑driven trend that fell apart when its true costs emerged. Key Takeaway Recognize and address hidden costs before they become systemic. Themes culture technology economics environment history Mood reflective critical Type historical analytical When to use this quote - business strategy - public policy - urban planning - environmental activism Key Concepts consumerism industrialization globalization sustainability Questions to Reflect On - How do we balance convenience with long‑term societal impact? - What lessons can current industries learn from this cycle? A Different Perspective The analysis may overlook regional variations where fast‑food persisted longer. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) [Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) [California](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/california/) [Century](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/century/) [Clear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clear/) [Cost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cost/) [Fast food](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fast-food/) [Food](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/food/) [Food industry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/food-industry/) [Future Historians](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/future-historians-491436/) [Globes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/globes/) [Historian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/historian/) [Historians Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/historians-hope-1156221/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Industry Relic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/industry-relic-1156219/) [Limitless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/limitless/) [Obsolete](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obsolete/) [Relics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relics/) [Southern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/southern/) [Southern california](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/southern-california/) [Spread](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spread/) [Technology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technology/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Thinking Obsolete](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking-obsolete-1156220/) [Twentieth century](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/twentieth-century/) ## Related quotes > [“Future historians, I hope, will consider the American fast food industry a relic of the twentieth century — a set of attitudes, systems, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-schlosser/future-historians-i-hope-will-consider-the-american-fast-food-2/) [Eric Schlosser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-schlosser/) > [The human mind moves always forward, alters its viewpoint and enlarges its thought substance, and the effect of these changes is to render past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-aurobindo/the-human-mind-moves-always-forward-alters-its-viewpoint-and-enlarges/) [Sri Aurobindo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-aurobindo/) > [“As events developed, the debate about jobs and energy extraction in general became more divisive. 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Jobs that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-schlosser/the-management-no-longer-depends-upon-the-talents-or-skills-of-its/) [Eric Schlosser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-schlosser/) > [“Whatever replaces the fast food industry should be regional, diverse, authentic, unpredictable, sustainable, profitable--and humble. It should know its limits.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-schlosser/whatever-replaces-the-fast-food-industry-should-be-regional-diverse/) [Eric Schlosser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-schlosser/) > [There's certainly more new SF available than when I started writing. That means there's also more bad SF available. Whether there is also more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-dean-foster/there-s-certainly-more-new-sf-available-than-when-i-started-writing/) [Alan Dean Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-dean-foster/) > [The funny thing is that Dick Cheney has done more than anybody in the White House for quite a long time to throw up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barton-gellman/the-funny-thing-is-that-dick-cheney-has-done-more-than-anybody-in-the/) [Barton Gellman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barton-gellman/) > [Future historians will be able to study at the Jimmy Carter Library, the Gerald Ford Library, the Ronald Reagan Library, and the Bill Clinton…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/future-historians-will-be-able-to-study-at-the-jimmy-carter-library/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [“I’m erasing myself from the narrative. Let future historians wonder how Eliza reacted when you broke her heart.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lin-manuel-miranda/i-m-erasing-myself-from-the-narrative-let-future-historians-wonder/) [Lin-Manuel Miranda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lin-manuel-miranda/) > [“Science fiction writers construct an imaginary future; historians attempt to reconstruct the past. Ultimately, both are seeking to understand the present. In this essay,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-oreskes/science-fiction-writers-construct-an-imaginary-future-historians/) [Naomi Oreskes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-oreskes/) > [Future historians will surely see us as having created in the media a Frankenstein monster whom no one knows how to control ordirect, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-muggeridge/future-historians-will-surely-see-us-as-having-created-in-the-media-a/) [Malcolm Muggeridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-muggeridge/) > [I find it hard to imagine that future historians will see the Iraq War as a big plus in Bush's ledger, but we have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-greenberg/i-find-it-hard-to-imagine-that-future-historians-will-see-the-iraq/) [David Greenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-greenberg/) > [... we will hope that future historians will explain the morbid symptoms of present-day society as the childhood ailments of an aspiring humanity, due…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/we-will-hope-that-future-historians-will-explain-the-morbid-symptoms/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) ## More by Eric Schlosser > [Twenty years ago, teenage boys in the United States drank twice as much milk as soda; now they drink twice as much soda as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-schlosser/twenty-years-ago-teenage-boys-in-the-united-states-drank-twice-as/) [Eric Schlosser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-schlosser/) > [So for everything I do, I'm very clear about what I'm doing, and I tell people what it's about. They get a sense of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-schlosser/so-for-everything-i-do-i-m-very-clear-about-what-i-m-doing-and-i-tell/) [Eric Schlosser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-schlosser/) > [I never consciously set out to model myself after Upton Sinclair.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-schlosser/i-never-consciously-set-out-to-model-myself-after-upton-sinclair/) [Eric Schlosser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-schlosser/) > [“The medical literature on the causes of food poisoning is full of euphemisms and dry scientific terms: coliform levels, aerobic plate counts, sorbitol, MacConkey…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-schlosser/the-medical-literature-on-the-causes-of-food-poisoning-is-full-of/) [Eric Schlosser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-schlosser/) > [A public outcry usually masks a private obsession.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-schlosser/a-public-outcry-usually-masks-a-private-obsession/) [Eric Schlosser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-schlosser/) > [Very few people realize that the U.S. government does not have the power to order the recall of contaminated meat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-schlosser/very-few-people-realize-that-the-u-s-government-does-not-have-the/) [Eric Schlosser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-schlosser/) > [Fast food is popular because it's convenient, it's cheap, and it tastes good. But the real cost of eating fast food never appears on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-schlosser/fast-food-is-popular-because-it-s-convenient-it-s-cheap-and-it-tastes/) [Eric Schlosser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-schlosser/) > [The Golden Arches are now more widely recognized than the Christian cross.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-schlosser/the-golden-arches-are-now-more-widely-recognized-than-the-christian/) [Eric Schlosser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-schlosser/) > [Different people, in good faith, can look at the same fact and interpret it differently. But that's where an interesting conversation begins.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-schlosser/different-people-in-good-faith-can-look-at-the-same-fact-and/) [Eric Schlosser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-schlosser/) > [The current fast food that we have is inexpensive when you buy it, but the long-term costs of eating it and the long-term costs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-schlosser/the-current-fast-food-that-we-have-is-inexpensive-when-you-buy-it-but/) [Eric Schlosser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-schlosser/) > [“The cable and the X-unit both had female plugs. Somehow the cable had been installed backward. It would take a couple of days to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-schlosser/the-cable-and-the-x-unit-both-had-female-plugs-somehow-the-cable-had/) [Eric Schlosser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-schlosser/) > [A generation ago, three-quarters of the money used to buy food in the United States was spent to prepare meals at home. Today about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-schlosser/a-generation-ago-three-quarters-of-the-money-used-to-buy-food-in-the/) [Eric Schlosser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-schlosser/) > [I think there could hardly be a more important subject than health and nutrition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-schlosser/i-think-there-could-hardly-be-a-more-important-subject-than-health/) [Eric Schlosser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-schlosser/) > [I hate the word "inevitable" because I feel like things don't have to be the way they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-schlosser/i-hate-the-word-inevitable-because-i-feel-like-things-don-t-have-to/) [Eric Schlosser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-schlosser/) > [There's a real strong link today between soda consumption and obesity among children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-schlosser/there-s-a-real-strong-link-today-between-soda-consumption-and-obesity/) [Eric Schlosser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-schlosser/) [Explore all 120 Eric Schlosser quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-schlosser/) ## More Attitude quotes > [“WE CAN'T ALWAYS CONTROL OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT WE CAN CONTROL OUR ATTITUDE. WE MUST BE MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE DO WITH WHAT HAPPENS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/we-can-t-always-control-our-circumstances-but-we-can-control-our/) [MARVIN J. ASHTON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [It's not the method, it's the mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gilbert/it-s-not-the-method-it-s-the-mindset/) [Andy Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gilbert/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Changes before your eyes, things you can do and things you can't. My attitude is always let it keep rolling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrence-malick/changes-before-your-eyes-things-you-can-do-and-things-you-can-t-my/) [Terrence Malick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrence-malick/) > [Vow to be valiant. Resolve to be radiant. Determine to be dynamic. Strive to be sincere. Aspire to be attuned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/vow-to-be-valiant-resolve-to-be-radiant-determine-to-be-dynamic/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [Don't judge me because I'm stupid. Don't judge me because I'm, mean. Don't judge me because I'm weird. Don't judge me for mistakes. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaiah-harden-me/don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-stupid-don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-mean-don/) [Isaiah Harden (Me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaiah-harden-me/) > [Your feelings (mood) dictate your thought, your thought determines your attitude (reactions) and your attitude describes your lifestyle, so: be careful how you feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheye-hassan/your-feelings-mood-dictate-your-thought-your-thought-determines-your/) [Sheye Hassan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheye-hassan/) > [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [“Good Seeds! Gratitude is the Greatest Attitude that has no Substitute.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-kelvin-clive/good-seeds-gratitude-is-the-greatest-attitude-that-has-no-substitute/) [Bernard Kelvin Clive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-kelvin-clive/) > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [One genuine reason to feel jealous of my parents:-) I will never ever have a kid as awesome as their's...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-genuine-reason-to-feel-jealous-of-my-parents-i-will-never-ever/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm optimistic Hong Kong will achieve universal suffrage - no matter the attitude of Beijing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-m-optimistic-hong-kong-will-achieve-universal-suffrage-no-matter/) [Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/) > [My attitude it that you don't give in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-taylor/my-attitude-it-that-you-don-t-give-in/) [Phil Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-taylor/) > [Transparency pertains to impartial behavior, implies openness, communication, and accountability. Inculcate transparency in attitude and experience a life free of controversy and blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-anil-kr-sinha/transparency-pertains-to-impartial-behavior-implies-openness/) [Dr Anil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-anil-kr-sinha/) > [And if the mind thinks with a believing attitude one can do amazing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/and-if-the-mind-thinks-with-a-believing-attitude-one-can-do-amazing/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) [Browse all 9,543 Attitude quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Future historians, I hope, will consider the American fast food industry a relic of the twentieth century--a set of attitudes, systems, and beliefs that emerged from postwar southern California, that embodied its limitless faith in technology, that quickly spread across the globe, flourished briefly, and then receded, once its true costs became clear and its thinking became obsolete.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Eric Schlosser" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-schlosser/future-historians-i-hope-will-consider-the-american-fast-food/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Attitude" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-schlosser/future-historians-i-hope-will-consider-the-american-fast-food/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e9/eric-schlosser-3894_attitude_future-historians-i-hope-will-consider-t_1701570.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e9/eric-schlosser-3894_attitude_future-historians-i-hope-will-consider-t_1701570.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e9/eric-schlosser-3894_attitude_future-historians-i-hope-will-consider-t_1701570.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Future historians, I hope, will consider the American fast food industry a relic of the twentieth century--a…” — Eric Schlosser", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Eric Schlosser", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-schlosser/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Future historians, I hope, will consider...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-schlosser/future-historians-i-hope-will-consider-the-american-fast-food/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-schlosser/future-historians-i-hope-will-consider-the-american-fast-food/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```