HLTHAGE 2L03 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Arabian Peninsula, Neoliberalism, Alarm Clock
7 Dec 2018
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Lecture 9: Caffeine II
Caffeine and Class
− More than other drugs, caffeine spans all classes and professions, used with the same
goals
− Class divisions – method of delivery of caffeine
o I.e. Hamilton independent shops (hipsters)
o Coffee shop vs. coffeehouse – semantic difference and difference in activities at
each place
− Modern coffee culture, rather than subversion a declaration of lifestyle
o In history, coffeehouses place of subversion (revolutionary/political discussion)
o Now, it’s a marker of identity
o “True” knowledge of coffee highly valued, works against the egalitarian nature of
earlier consumption by creating stratification
Caffeine and Capitalism
− Caffeine closely linked to the emergence of capitalism
o Caffeine as “alarm clock”
o Useful to prevent accidents in the industrial workplaces
▪ Tea provisions built into British pay, depressed wages
− Other modern uses:
o Clear connection between caffeine and capitalism
o Extends workday to 24 hours (online, phones, etc.)
o To construct work environments that are happier and friendlier
o Caffeine pills
o Truck drivers; students drink coffee (or find caffeine opportunities)
o Coffee machines/breaks as a way to socialize
o An “antidote” to other commodities (i.e. alcohol)
▪ People who take pharmaceutical sleeping pills; gives them a lag in the
morning, coffee solves the problem
Caffeine and Globalization
− A global addiction: after oil, coffee is the most valuable commodity
− Global trade: coffee (Arabian peninsula) and associated commodities – porcelain cups
(China), sugar (Caribbean and Africa), silver pots (South America)
− Modern caffeine provides a connection point between Global North and South
o But while it has fueled industry in Global North, a source of exploitation in
Global South
o 25 million coffee farmers in the world, the majority of whom earn perhaps $1/day
− “Ethical consumption” as a solution or way to assuage the guilt of late-stage capitalism?
Caffeine and Control
− Unlike other drugs, virtually no regulation or limitations on caffeine
− Some forms of caffeine marketed precisely for psychoactive impact → instrumentalized
to improve school, sports, work, and social performance
− Control efforts grounded entirely in moral pleas
Document Summary
More than other drugs, caffeine spans all classes and professions, used with the same goals. Class divisions method of delivery of caffeine: i. e. Hamilton independent shops (hipsters: coffee shop vs. coffeehouse semantic difference and difference in activities at each place. Caffeine closely linked to the emergence of capitalism: caffeine as alarm clock , useful to prevent accidents in the industrial workplaces, tea provisions built into british pay, depressed wages. A global addiction: after oil, coffee is the most valuable commodity. Global trade: coffee (arabian peninsula) and associated commodities porcelain cups (china), sugar (caribbean and africa), silver pots (south america) Modern caffeine provides a connection point between global north and south: but while it has fueled industry in global north, a source of exploitation in. Global south: 25 million coffee farmers in the world, the majority of whom earn perhaps /day. Unlike other drugs, virtually no regulation or limitations on caffeine.
