Eighth International Conference on Food Studies

Abstract

There is an increasing prevalence of consuming the images of food on various digital platforms. What does this kind of consumption entail and signify? The paper takes up the case study of select Indian food blogs. The paper will deal with discourse and content analysis of these blogs and the online interaction of the followers of these blogs. Consuming the images of food through various digital interfaces does not always act as a substitute for the physical consumption of food and there is a complex relationship between the two. There is an increasing commodification of food, including in the digital space. Along with the implications of such vicarious consumption, it also leads to a simulated social belonging, a function associated with food since the beginning of civilization.