3.15 Special: Using ‘Electronic Pickles’ to Expose the Fraud of Virtual Lives

Every 15 March, public attention focuses intensely on the issue of food safety. Yet, the impact of ‘electronic pickles’—a form of virtual food—on our dietary health has yet to receive sufficient attention.

Short-form videos, TV series, variety shows, podcasts… this content, known as ‘electronic pickles’, has quietly become a daily staple for many. Why is it that for some, a meal now feels almost impossible to enjoy without clicking on a video?

Through the ‘electronic pickles’ story collection launched by Foodthink last year, we found that an increasing number of people are getting used to eating alone, and ‘electronic pickles’ have become a ‘remedy’ for the loneliness and boredom of mealtime. The beloved classic dramas, trending variety shows, and the stream of scrolling comments from across the globe have become the quickest way for them to connect with the world within their solitary lives.

However, the price of over-immersion in this virtual world is the hijacking of our attention and energy by video platforms, and the subsequent toll on our physical and mental wellbeing.Many may feel the negative effects of ‘electronic pickles’ on their lives, yet few explicitly speak out about it.

In recent years, research teams have discovered that becoming absorbed in electronic devices while eating can increase a person’s total calorie intake by 15%, and may lead to issues such as gastric dysfunction, indigestion and nutritional imbalance.

The three hosts of this episode of Food Talk are themselves heavy users of “electronic pickles”. From timeless classics to stress-relieving short dramas, they share their personal meal-time viewing habits and explore the underlying feelings of loneliness, productivity anxiety and spiritual emptiness.

Do “electronic pickles” truly alleviate our loneliness? What are the long-term health effects of relying on them? Beyond these digital accompaniments, what other ways can we heal our loneliness and anxiety? Are we using “electronic pickles” to enhance the enjoyment of our meals, or are we losing the authentic taste of food to digital companionship?

We began to wonder: are our eating habits being reshaped by the screen, or are we using the screen to seek some form of compensation for our lives?

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Xiaojing

A seasoned viewer who has watched Modern Family, Brooklyn Nine-Nine and The IT Crowd countless times

Yuyang

A heavy “electronic pickle” addict who practically lives on Bilibili

Li Ye

Selective about both meals and shows, immersed in journeys through Twin Peaks, Pittsburgh and the state of Wu-Yue

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00:19 What are “electronic pickles”? Why can’t we live without them?

02:56 Private lists revealed: from medical dramas and My Own Swordsman to mindless short-form series

10:29 Reader shares: loneliness, anxiety, and electronic pickles

23:45 Does watching electronic pickles really make you consume 15% more calories?

29:37 The sense of ritual in solo living and the “Vlog-style” dinner

42:12 How to “detox”? Seeking quality ingredients, mindful eating, and building supportive relationships

45:17 A path forward: returning entertainment to leisure, and eating to eating

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Published by Foodthink