Diet soda

Diet or zero-sugar sodas seem like an outstanding market response: our customers are getting fat or developing diabetes, so let’s create a soft drink that limits the harm.

Instagram is now unrolling Teen Accounts. “Sorry for causing so much harm, but here are some guardrails.”

As consumers, we have to start taking control back into our hands. The response shouldn’t be “Well, this isn’t good for my mental health, but here this other thing that is a little less harmful.” A warning sign around an electric fence should be enough of a cue to follow but often it isn’t enough. It’s still harmful. Until we stop clicking or paying attention, the market will find a way to make a dollar. And if we can’t make companies accountable (no easy feat), we must make ourselves accountable (also no easy feat either).

Let’s at least start calling it what it is: Diet soda is still soda. Instagram Teens is still social media. An e-cigarette is still a cigarette. “Eco-friendly” doesn’t mean it is good for the environment.

It is worth pointing out that there is this false sense of comfort in harm reduction.