Opinion: Food for thought

Posted on 30 Nov 2009 at 17:02

 

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...while Alan Lu's beef is with the Windows 7 burger.

Windows 7 was Microsoft's biggest launch of 2009. Unsurprisingly for a multi-billion dollar multinational company, Microsoft is pushing the new version of Windows with a varied and well-funded marketing campaign. More surprising are the cringe-inducing marketing events, such as encouraging ordinary people to host their own Windows 7 launch parties.

Another promotion is the Windows 7 Burger King Whopper: a version of the famous burger consisting of seven beef patties. Yes, seven. This huge burger will only be available in Japan. We can't read Japanese, so we're not sure what the official Japanese website says, but photos of the burger on Flickr (http://tinyurl.com/winburger) look less appetising than the promotional picture.

We're not against the odd meat-guzzling indulgence, but this towering monstrosity of processed dead cow seems obscene. Microsoft should be ashamed of itself for promoting the over-consumption of highly calorific fast food when governments in developed countries are trying to encourage healthier lifestyles to reduce the spiralling costs of coronary heart disease and obesity on public health budgets.

The promotion is especially egregious given the current food crisis. Increased demand for meat in China and India has helped push up prices for other staple foods to the point where poor people in other developing countries can no longer afford them and run the risk of malnutrition. Ironically, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, headed by Microsoft's co-founder, is working to alleviate hunger and malnutrition in developing nations by promoting and funding more sustainable and productive agricultural methods.

Admittedly, no-one will die of starvation in Africa if an overeager Windows fan in Japan buys a Windows 7 Whopper. Still, it's a poorly thought-out marketing promotion given the problems the world faces in food consumption and production.

Shame on you, Microsoft. Shame on you.

Author: Alan Lu