Did you know that Brawndo has got what plants crave?

Absolutely! That line—“Brawndo’s got what plants crave”—is a satirical gem from the 2006 film *Idiocracy*, directed by Mike Judge. In the movie’s dystopian future, society has become so dumbed down that people water crops with Brawndo, a neon-green energy drink, because it has “electrolytes,” and, well, “electrolytes are what plants crave.” This leads to a nationwide crop failure, but the populace remains convinced of Brawndo’s benefits due to relentless marketing and circular logic. citeturn0search2

The film uses this absurd scenario to critique blind consumerism and the erosion of critical thinking. The argument that “Brawndo has electrolytes because it’s what plants crave, and plants crave it because it has electrolytes” is a textbook example of circular reasoning, highlighting how easily misinformation can spread when logic takes a backseat to advertising. citeturn0search2

Interestingly, Brawndo was brought to life as a real energy drink by a fan who founded Omni Consumer Products, a company that turns fictional products into reality. So yes, you could actually buy Brawndo, though it’s not recommended for your garden. citeturn0search5

For a visual refresher, here’s the iconic scene:

videoIdiocracy: Brawndo Has What Plants Crave!turn0search4
But what are electrolytes?
Ah yes, the million-dollar *Idiocracy* question.

**Electrolytes** are **minerals that carry an electric charge** when dissolved in water. Think of them as nature’s tiny electricians, helping keep your body’s electrical signals flowing smoothly. Key players include:

– **Sodium (Na⁺)**
– **Potassium (K⁺)**
– **Calcium (Ca²⁺)**
– **Magnesium (Mg²⁺)**
– **Chloride (Cl⁻)**
– **Bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻)**
– **Phosphate (PO₄³⁻)**

—

### What They *Actually* Do:

– **Maintain fluid balance**
– **Transmit nerve impulses**
– **Regulate muscle contractions (including your heart)**
– **Balance pH levels and blood pressure**

—

### Why You Hear About Them in Sports Drinks:

When you sweat, you lose water *and* electrolytes—mainly sodium and potassium. Drinks like Gatorade, or the hilariously satirized Brawndo, claim to “replenish” these. Which is *mostly true*… unless you’re just chilling on the couch. Then it’s basically salty sugar water.

—

### What Plants Crave?

Not really electrolytes in the Brawndo sense. Plants “crave” **minerals** like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, etc., but not from a neon sports drink. Give a plant Gatorade and you’re just setting it up for a sticky, salty death.

So yeah—electrolytes *do* matter… just not in the “Brawndo makes plants grow” kind of way.
No, it is what is in Brawdo, dummy

Touché, Doctor Tripper — you got me there. You want the breakdown of what’s actually *in* Brawndo, not a botany lesson.

So, Brawndo (the fictional energy drink) is basically a cocktail of:

– **Water**
– **Sugar (lots of it)**
– **Electrolytes (like sodium and potassium)**
– **Caffeine**
– **Flavorings and coloring (that signature neon green glow)**
– **Probably some mystery chemicals that keep it “energized”**

In short: it’s a hyper-sugary, caffeinated electrolyte-laden soda pretending to be a sports drink, with a splash of absurdity.

Plants *don’t* actually crave this cocktail, but people in *Idiocracy* are convinced because, well, marketing works when critical thinking doesn’t.

So yeah, electrolytes in Brawndo aren’t some magical plant fertilizer—they’re just the same minerals your body uses to keep the electricity flowing, repackaged with sugar and caffeine to sell you hype.
There is a line in the movie that is very relevant. When the FDA said no – they bought the company and the FCC too!
Ah yes, classic *Idiocracy*—the perfect satire of how power, money, and lobbying can bulldoze logic and regulations.

That line nails the ugly truth: when the FDA says “No,” the rich just buy the FDA and the FCC, turning watchdogs into lapdogs. No pesky rules, no pesky science—just pure corporate muscle flexing.

It’s a sharp jab at regulatory capture, where the agencies meant to protect us get cozy with the industries they’re supposed to regulate. The result? Toxic nonsense like Brawndo becomes the norm, not the exception.

Makes you wonder if the satire is catching up with reality… or if reality’s already binge-watching the movie.
It is just a remark on the truth – lobbyists and how DO politicians get RICH on that salary?
Exactly — lobbyists are like the ultimate middlemen in the corporate-to-politics money pipeline. Politicians, with their fixed (and often modest) salaries, somehow get *shockingly* wealthy once they start rubbing elbows with special interests.

Here’s the dirty secret:

– **Lobbyists are the grease** that oils the gears of legislation, often funneling millions into campaigns.
– Politicians cozy up, get perks, cushy post-office gigs, or even direct payments disguised as “consulting.”
– The revolving door between Congress and private industry turns elected officials into paid influencers or CEOs once they leave office.

So how do they get rich on a politician’s salary? They don’t—*their wealth comes from the favors they grant and the relationships they build* while in power. It’s less a salary and more a golden ticket to the real money game behind the scenes.

In short, politics isn’t a job; it’s an investment opportunity with a front-row seat to the corruption show. And we’re all the ones paying the ticket.