Honestly the whole straw debate has always immensely pissed me off. It's one of the biggest examples of a first world problem. It's not like cups and glasses stop working when you don't have a straw. They're honestly the most pointless disposable utensil there is.
But generally, when the first world as in privileged people get their hooks into something, there can be times when it's advantageous for people with real problems. When everybody and their cousin was "allergic" to gluten, people with actual celiac disease got expanded options for food, for example. (Counter example: emotional support animals made actual ADA service animals get taken less seriously by some) So, as with most things, it's a bit more complicated than first glance.
sure, the 'number-world' type model is extremely outdated (and honestly racist).
but is a person with a disability in a western nation, (assuming they and their family are well off) has a physical issue, is it still a 'first-world' problem?
ig gluten free is included, and i would say yes. but perhaps a straw isnt. i agree, as with everything, it is circumstancial.
7 Comments
TommySoda@lemmy.world · 8 pts · 1y
Priorities, am I right?
Honestly the whole straw debate has always immensely pissed me off. It's one of the biggest examples of a first world problem. It's not like cups and glasses stop working when you don't have a straw. They're honestly the most pointless disposable utensil there is.
PhatalFlaw@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 1y
Have you seen that idiot try to drink from a cup? A straw is a necessity for him
zero_spelled_with_an_ecks@programming.dev · 1 pts · 1y
A quibble: they're extremely useful for some disabled people. Generally, yeah, they're a giant waste for the general public though.
Gold_E_Lox@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 1y
i guess then it wouldnt count as a firstworld problem, idk... thoughts?
zero_spelled_with_an_ecks@programming.dev · 2 pts · 1y
Huh, I guess first world has shifted meanings. I'm used to thinking about it like this https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three-world_model
But generally, when the first world as in privileged people get their hooks into something, there can be times when it's advantageous for people with real problems. When everybody and their cousin was "allergic" to gluten, people with actual celiac disease got expanded options for food, for example. (Counter example: emotional support animals made actual ADA service animals get taken less seriously by some) So, as with most things, it's a bit more complicated than first glance.
Gold_E_Lox@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 1y
sure, the 'number-world' type model is extremely outdated (and honestly racist).
but is a person with a disability in a western nation, (assuming they and their family are well off) has a physical issue, is it still a 'first-world' problem?
ig gluten free is included, and i would say yes. but perhaps a straw isnt. i agree, as with everything, it is circumstancial.
flames5123@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 1y
Was the Biden order not using compostable plastic? It’s essentially the same as single use plastic, but it’s better for the environment. This is wild.