Buzz
While pizza can influence happiness, heartburn, and even heart disease, the term 'pizza effect' was first coined by anthropologist Agehananda Bharati in 1970, not referring to the consequences of eating pizza. Instead, he observed a cultural phenomenon where something insignificant in one society gains popularity in another, which in turn alters the way it is perceived in its place of origin.
Pizza, once considered a food for the poor in Italy, gained significant popularity in the U.S. when Italian immigrants arrived and new toppings were introduced. This shift in perception transformed pizza into a beloved national dish back in Italy. The 'pizza effect' is not exclusive to food—this feedback loop can be seen across everything from music to mindfulness. Here are ten more examples of how the pizza effect works.
10. Carbonara
Although the 'pizza effect' concept has been recognized in social science since the 1970s, many Italians were unfamiliar with it in early 2023. When Professor Alberto Grandi, a food history scholar, suggested that the phenomenon applied to many of their culinary traditions, including pizza, his claim caused quite a stir. One of his most controversial statements was that carbonara, an iconic Italian dish, was actually an American creation.
Grandi’s argument was supported by another food historian who uncovered that carbonara was first served to American soldiers during World War II. The dish dates back to 1944, when an Italian chef in Riccione created it using the soldiers’ bacon and egg rations. Grandi understands how deeply food is tied to Italian identity, but he believes the connection has been overstated. He can't comprehend why he is criticized for simply pointing out that, like pizza, many dishes cherished by Italians today were actually developed in the U.S. over the past sixty years.
9. The Day of the Dead Parade
In certain situations, the pizza effect can occur quite rapidly. One such example took place in 2016 when Mexico City decided to turn the Day of the Dead celebration into a festival with a parade for the first time. This idea was inspired by a fictional parade in the opening scene of the 2015 James Bond film Spectre.
The film scene, of course, was based on the real Day of the Dead, a holiday that dates back to Aztec times and honors deceased loved ones visiting their families. Originally, it was a solemn event with simple rituals—homes and cemeteries would be illuminated by candles, and most people would spend the day quietly with their families.
However, following the Bond film, over 1,000 performers joined the parade in Mexico City, presenting an unforgettable spectacle of giant skeletons, skulls, and dancers in traditional costumes moving through the streets.
8. The St. Patrick's Day Parade has become one of Ireland's largest celebrations. Although the first official parade in Dublin took place in 1931, it didn’t become a major tradition there for some time. Parades honoring St. Patrick's Day had already been happening in other countries for centuries before the tradition gained traction in Ireland.
The St. Patrick's Day parade was initially slow to catch on in Ireland, despite its long history in other parts of the world. The first known parade took place in 1601 in St. Augustine, Florida, and it was organized by an Irish priest. However, the modern tradition of the parade began with Irish soldiers in New York in 1762, who celebrated the day by marching in green and playing Irish tunes. Over time, Irish immigrants in the U.S. made the parade an annual event, and the idea eventually returned to Ireland.
The origins of the St. Patrick's Day parade can be traced back to 1601 in St. Augustine, Florida, where an Irish priest organized the first known parade. The tradition later evolved when Irish soldiers stationed in New York in 1762 celebrated the day by marching, wearing green, and playing Irish music. As Irish immigration increased in the 19th century, parades became a regular event in the U.S., and the custom was eventually adopted in Ireland.
7. Yoga is often thought to be an ancient practice native to India, but in reality, it wasn’t as widespread in Indian culture as many assume. By the early 2000s, yoga teachers in India reported classes that had no Indian participants at all. However, yoga began gaining more popularity as major cities like Mumbai saw a surge in yoga studios and private lessons started to emerge in people's homes.
When people think of yoga, they often assume it is a long-standing tradition in India. While yoga is indeed an ancient practice, it was not always a significant part of everyday life for most Indians. In the early 21st century, yoga teachers noticed classes in India with no Indian students at all. This began to change in the following years, with cities like Mumbai seeing a growth in yoga studios and private lessons becoming a more common way to practice yoga.
So, did Indians suddenly reconnect with their ancient traditions? Not quite.
Kate Churchill, the director of a documentary about yoga in India, pointed to Madonna as a major influence behind the rising popularity of yoga. People were eager to emulate the Queen of Pop. However, Madonna isn’t solely responsible; her fame was just one part of the broader Western impact that led to yoga’s resurgence in India. Another factor was the influence of American yoga DVDs, which inspired Indian teachers to offer private lessons.
6. Meditation is another practice that has crossed from the ancient East to the modern West, and now it’s making its way back again. While it began gaining traction in the West during the 1960s, it has only recently become widely accepted. Practices like meditation, rooted in Buddhist traditions, have become popular in the West but are often practiced outside of their original religious context and for different reasons.
The rise of mindfulness in the West has sparked a debate, with some religious scholars calling it 'McMindfulness.' Despite the criticisms, mindfulness practices have found a place in modern medicine, allowing doctors to explore their therapeutic potential. Now, mindfulness is starting to make its way back to Asia, where it is only beginning to be taken seriously in medical circles. Traditionally, these practices were not seen as tools for specific goals, but this perspective is gradually changing. Asian doctors are beginning to view Western mindfulness techniques as potentially beneficial treatments.
Although some religious scholars dismiss mindfulness as 'McMindfulness,' it has proven valuable in medical studies. Mindfulness is now being explored in the medical field, especially in Asia, where it is slowly being acknowledged as a useful tool. Historically, these practices were not viewed as distinct techniques for achieving specific outcomes, but that mindset is shifting. Doctors in Asia are increasingly recognizing the potential of Western mindfulness methods in medical treatments.
5. Tibetan Singing Bowls are known for their calming, resonant tones. Today, sound therapy, spiritual practices, workshops, and recordings featuring these bowls can be found throughout Tibet, Nepal, and other countries with Buddhist traditions. Despite their popularity and widespread sale, historical evidence linking them to spiritual uses remains scarce.
The soothing sound of a Tibetan singing bowl is often regarded as relaxing, but the bowls themselves have no specific term in Tibet. Originally, they were simply food bowls from Nepal and North India. While they could produce a pleasant tone, they were never considered spiritual tools, and the exact moment they came to be regarded as such is unknown.
Interestingly, the absence of historical evidence has contributed to the mystique surrounding Tibetan singing bowls, making them appear more secretive and enigmatic. This mystery has allowed Tibetans and Nepalese to develop their own practices around these bowls. Initially, this may have been a way to attract money from foreign tourists, but over time, the bowls have become an integral part of Tibetan national identity.
The lack of clear historical evidence surrounding Tibetan singing bowls has, ironically, helped to market them as mysterious and exclusive. This perceived secrecy has also allowed Tibetans and Nepalese to develop their own unique practices around the bowls. While initially, this might have been a way to profit from tourists, the bowls have now become deeply tied to Tibetan cultural identity.
4. Preppy Menswear has long been associated with a classic and clean style. The look draws inspiration from Ivy League colleges and the upper-class lifestyle, featuring items like chinos, blazers, and polo shirts. This timeless style remains a popular choice for those seeking a sophisticated yet casual appearance.
To forecast which American cultural trends will endure, Japan is a great place to look. The Japanese have a unique ability to identify and perfect the best aspects of American products, from bourbon whiskey to workwear. These reimagined versions are often sold back to the U.S., contributing to the revival of trends that may have once been out of style.
For instance, when 'Ivy style' fashion gained popularity in Japan, it played a significant role in reviving preppy men's fashion in the U.S. The well-established American brand J. Press, which has been around for over a century, has been Japanese-owned since the 1980s. Similarly, Woolrich, an iconic American brand, brought in a Japanese design director after finding success in Japan, and he later went on to establish his own brand that offers vintage American-style clothing in the U.S. Smaller Japanese companies, like Kamakura Shirts, have also opened U.S. stores to sell American-style shirts with a Japanese touch.
3. Terrorism is a global issue that continues to challenge societies around the world. One aspect of the 'pizza effect'—where cultural exchanges lead to unintended consequences—is its potential to amplify negative behaviors, such as terrorism. This could occur when certain concepts, like the Islamic notion of jihad, are misunderstood or misinterpreted.
The term jihad has two primary meanings: striving to do something righteous or godly, and using violence against non-Muslims. While most Muslims understand jihad as the former, terrorists focus on the latter. Many Western commentators, particularly those with hawkish views, tend to emphasize the violent interpretation. Historian Mark Sedgwick has argued that this can create a 'pizza effect' problem, as some Muslims, lacking the necessary education or context, may accept this violent interpretation as true.
Unlike most Muslims, terrorists adhere to the violent interpretation of jihad. Many aggressive Western commentators also propagate this view. Mark Sedgwick, a historian, has suggested that this can lead to a pizza-effect issue, where some Muslims, unaware of other interpretations due to their backgrounds or education, will hear these commentators define jihad as violence against non-Muslims and come to believe it as fact.
2. Blues Music holds a prominent place in music history, with legends like Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters being celebrated as icons today. However, this recognition didn't come quickly. By the early 1960s, blues had faded from the mainstream. The rock 'n' roll craze of the '50s had come and gone, and the blues had returned to its roots in African-American communities. At least, that was the situation in the U.S.
In the UK, American blues music found a home among working-class youth who related to the soulful, melancholic sound of a marginalized people. British bands like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones were influenced by these blues records, incorporating them into their own music. When the British Invasion took over, their passion for the blues sparked a renewed interest in the genre back in the U.S. This blues revival eventually led to the rise of classic rock as a new wave of American artists drew from both the blues and the British rock movement.
Blues Music, represented by icons like Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters, came to be recognized as influential in a roundabout manner. By the early '60s, it had slipped from mainstream attention. The rock ‘n’ roll boom of the 1950s seemed to be over, and the blues had retreated back into African-American communities. However, in the UK, blues music captured the hearts of working-class youth, who identified with its melancholy themes of oppression and hardship. British bands like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones drew heavily from these blues influences, and as they gained international fame, their passion for the genre reignited interest in the blues in the U.S., leading to its revival in American music culture.
1. Greek Dance is often seen at celebrations like weddings or birthdays, where guests come together, lock arms, and kick their feet in rhythm with traditional Greek music. The dance starts slowly and then gradually builds in speed until it reaches a chaotic frenzy. It is a tradition that seems ancient, but it has only been a staple since 1964, which is surprisingly recent given Greece's long and well-documented cultural history.
The classic Greek dance, often performed at weddings or other celebrations, sees guests linking arms and kicking their feet in time with traditional folk music. The tempo starts slowly and accelerates until it becomes a joyous frenzy. While this seems like an age-old tradition, it was actually popularized only in 1964, a relatively recent development in a culture with one of the longest and most detailed histories.
Dance has been a significant part of Greek culture for centuries, but the particular dance most often associated with Greece today—arguably the most iconic Greek dance—was actually created by composer Mikis Theodorakis for the 1964 film *Zorba the Greek*. This dance is a blend of two traditional styles: one slow and one fast. The dance, which came to be known as syrtaki, has since become a symbol of Greek culture, not just for those outside Greece, but for Greeks as well.
