Map shows how hard it is to escape McDonald’s

[marmar]

from Grist:



Map shows how hard it is to escape McDonald’s

by Jess Zimmerman
9 Nov 2011 2:50 PM





Scientist and data visualization expert Stephen von Worley got curious how far it was possible to get from "our world of generic convenience." So he made up this map of the U.S., color-coded by distance to the nearest McDonald's. Conclusion: The fast food giant is basically breathing down your neck anywhere east of the Mississippi, plus most of the West Coast -- and don't think we don't see you there, Denver.

To get genuinely out of McRange, you need to travel to the desert near the Nevada-Oregon border, where it is possible to be 110 miles from a McDonald's. Von Worley traveled out there to show the world the vast loneliness of being two hours from a Big Mac. Kinda makes you want to schedule a pilgrimage, doesn't it? Can we make this the new Mojave Phone Booth?

Watch video: http://www.grist.org/list/2011-11-09-map-shows-how-hard-it-is-to-escape-mcdonalds

[supernova]

1. Thanks for the map

It's one thing to know they're ubiquitous, it's something else to see it graphically.

:wow:

It's very difficult. I'm in a relationship with someone who everytime they run out for errands, is pretty much programmed to stop at a fast foot place for something. Nevermind the doc told him a couple of months ago to lose weight, control his appetite, or keep the diabetes.

[PoliticAverse]

2. How many are there on the moon ?...

I haven't been in one in years.
Just say no.

[Cid_B]

3. The worst part is when the teenager with acne come out and puts the gun to your head...

... and makes you cram down 3 big macs. :eyes:

[Codeine]

20. "You're god-damned RIGHT you're going to super-size that shit!

And don't even THINK about not wanting fries with that!"

[Liberal_in_LA]

4. McD's has free wi-fi now. Probably the largest network of wi-fi these days

[soapboxtalk]

5. This map

This map is telling...you aren't far from your nearest grease, salt, and sugar kick.

Which reminds me...I think the mcRib is back...

[Incitatus]

6. There's always Alaska.

:hide:

[Quantess]

7. It's actually pretty easy. Just don't go in.

[Phentex]

12. It's very easy!

I never let my car tell *me* what to do! HA! :)

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

8. If you added all the other major shithouses to that map

all the Burger Kings, Carl's Jr., Taco Bell, Del Taco, Wendy's, Sonic, Jack-Off-In-The-Box, Tastee Freeze, etc. and not to leave out the other corporate fastfood places that sell pizza, chicken, and sandwiches, I wonder if you'd have just one solid light from shore to shore.

[Quantess]

22. I'm such a tree-hugger

I sometimes think to myself, that Burger King next to the strip mall is built on top of what was once a forest, a field with flowers, a farm perhaps... maybe it was even someone's childhood home.

I think people who aren't plagued by thoughts like that are sort of lucky. But sometimes I can't help but thinking these things.

[Ohio Joe]

9. Thats nothing

Try that with Chinese places and you would be blinded :D Of course... I like Chinese a whole lot better then McDonalds so it's ok with me.

[Cirque du So-What]

11. I can't get over my suspicion

that the rubbery 'chicken' is actually alley cat.

[Ohio Joe]

13. Yeah but... In hot and sour soup...

Heaven :9

I think that makes it OK :rofl:

[Cirque du So-What]

18. Or the General Tso's chicken, for that matter

I can put aside my revulsion against eating kitteh long enough to scarf that down.

[Shagbark Hickory]

10. Jeez. Who even eats that stuff?

[MuseRider]

14. It would be interesting

to overlay that with a map of the country showing rates of obesity. I know, it is not just McD's but it would still be interesting.

I can't remember the last time I ate something from there. It has been years and years and years. I can't even stand the smell when you drive close to one of those places. I don't think I would even trust them if they offered a veggie burger. Blech :puke:

[cherokeeprogressive]

15. Cool! Now I'm hungry...

[LeftyMom]

16. Out west you can actually trace the freeways from those red dots.

The mostly east-west one through Nevada is I-80, the north south lines through California are the 5, 99 and the 101, etc.

[Octafish]

17. Is there a map of obesity we can overlay?

Not that there's a correlation.

[Codeine]

19. I've had no trouble escaping McDonald's.

I just don't go through those doors and I'm home free. I don't give two tugs of a dead dog's dick how many of them are spread across the landscape.

[whistler162]

26. Now now you need to be outraged...

if you can't be properly outraged about the latest poutrage post what good are you? ;)

[stevedeshazer]

21. Damn! I've been within a couple of miles from that place.

It sure as hell is remote.

Hines, Klamath Falls, Winnemucca. Within that triangle is a lot of badass desert wilderness.

+1

[Scuba]

23. McUrinals? I stop often while travelling....

... hey, I just knew those golden arches were symbolic of something!

[MisterP]

24. it seems really population-tied (and entirely too beautiful, they should've used grease spots)

there's the chains of population at the Utah and Colorado frontages, big holes in the Appalachians and Adirondacks (though those might be filled by White Castle)

[Initech]

25. I'd like to see one for Walmarts.

[Kablooie]

27. Looks like there aren't any McDonald's near Area 51 though.

(In the middle of Nevada)