A3 Book section, Chapters in research books
The Yuck Factor : Reiterating Insect-Eating (and Otherness) Through Disgust (2023)
Kosonen, H. (2023). The Yuck Factor : Reiterating Insect-Eating (and Otherness) Through Disgust . In M. Ryynänen, H. Kosonen, & S. Ylönen (Eds.), Cultural Approaches to Disgust and the Visceral (pp. 90-103). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003205364-10
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Kosonen, Heidi
Parent publication: Cultural Approaches to Disgust and the Visceral
Parent publication editors: Ryynänen, Max; Kosonen, Heidi; Ylönen, Susanne
ISBN: 978-1-032-06378-2
eISBN: 978-1-003-20536-4
Publication year: 2023
Publication date: 25/08/2022
Pages range: 90-103
Number of pages in the book: 242
Publisher: Routledge
Publication country: United Kingdom
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003205364-10
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Open Access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/82881
Abstract
In this chapter, representing critical cultural studies and visual studies, I consider insect-eating’s media portrayals by employing discourse analysis, semiology, and visual analysis methods. I conduct a qualitative analysis of the textual and visual elements in selected media portrayals of entomophagy. The focus is on Anglophone media iterations between 2013-2020, discovered online through Google searches Spring 2019 and Spring 2021. I am particularly interested in disgust’s role in mediating entomophagy to mass audiences. Through theories of this visceral emotion, I discuss the main ways historical Western representations of revulsion against insects and insect-eating resurface despite the food industry’s attempts at presenting insect-eating as appetizing. The theoretical backbone of my analysis lies in the paradigm of socio-cultural construction, which explores how cultural discourses and representations shape emotions, conceptions, and norms - including thoughts related to what is disgusting. My take on entomophagy is here affected by anthropological and post-colonial perspectives on food and foodways, which render poignant not only disgusting foods’ socio-cultural construction but also their socio-cultural and moral functions in drawing boundaries and distinctions between groups of people.
Keywords: edible insects; insects; aversion; media; news; cultural research; sociocultural factors; otherness; norms; discourse analysis
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
VIRTA submission year: 2023
JUFO rating: 3
Parent publication with JYU authors: