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Deboss I see the Awesomeness. from Awesomeville Texas Since: Aug, 2009
I see the Awesomeness.
#226: Sep 29th 2011 at 10:33:12 PM

The "higher" the subject is, the less use it is in "every day life" (outside of specialised areas).

It's irritating that people don't get this.

Fight smart, not fair.
Firebert That One Guy from Somewhere in Illinois Since: Jan, 2001
That One Guy
#227: Sep 30th 2011 at 11:39:27 AM

[up][up]But Sunny Delight has lots of vitamins and minerals in it, like Vitamin C!

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johnnyfog Actual Wrestling Legend from the Zocalo Since: Apr, 2010 Relationship Status: They can't hide forever. We've got satellites.
Actual Wrestling Legend
#228: Sep 30th 2011 at 12:28:58 PM

Sunny D is about as nutritious as my taint.

Also, I got chronic ear infections from substituting it for water. tongue

I was surprised today to learn that obesity is endemic in India, too. Seems it's not so much an American thing as it is a poor people thing.

edited 30th Sep '11 12:29:18 PM by johnnyfog

I'm a skeptical squirrel
AnEditor Since: Sep, 2011
#229: Sep 30th 2011 at 1:00:26 PM

[up] That is, surprisingly, true. There's an economist who attempts to explain it by a theory that the cheapest calories come from unhealthy food. For example, a dollar buys 1000 calories of cookies but only 200 calories of, say, carrots, so obviously the poor person will make the junk food choice.

I've linked the article in case anyone's interested. http://www.totalhealthbreakthroughs.com/2010/02/the-economics-of-obesity-why-are-poor-people-fat/

edited 30th Sep '11 1:01:00 PM by AnEditor

The dumber people think you are, the more surprised they're going to be when you kill them.
jatay3 Since: Oct, 2010
#230: Apr 7th 2012 at 11:43:42 PM

Couldn't we all get a little perspective? In large parts of the world people are walking skeletons. And we're getting in a tizzy because Americans are fat? Perhaps you wish to exchange problems?

edited 7th Apr '12 11:44:53 PM by jatay3

Vehudur Since: Mar, 2012
#231: Apr 8th 2012 at 1:03:14 AM

[up] Partly, yes.

Also, just because there are bigger fish to fry in the world doesn't mean we should ignore everything else that's wrong while we're trying to fix it while we complain about it and do nothing.

Calc and trig? I don't know anybody who uses that for every day non work/hobby related activities, but every human needs to walk and pick things up.

Actually..

I'm an industrial electrician*

, and every time I put up a run of electrical conduit I'm using advanced math.

It's there in places that you might not realize have them.

edited 8th Apr '12 1:06:43 AM by Vehudur

The road to hell is paved with good intentions.
drunkscriblerian Street Writing Man from Castle Geekhaven Since: Oct, 2010 Relationship Status: In season
Street Writing Man
#232: Apr 8th 2012 at 1:47:25 AM

America has a problem because we eat bad food. Other countries have a problem because they don't have any food. Pick your cause now, ladies and gentlemen...

If I were to write some of the strange things that come under my eyes they would not be believed. ~Cora M. Strayer~
TheStarshipMaxima NCC - 1701 Since: Jun, 2009
NCC - 1701
#233: Apr 8th 2012 at 8:46:53 AM

[up] You never fail to crack me up Scrib.

I was surprised today to learn that obesity is endemic in India, too. Seems it's not so much an American thing as it is a poor people thing.

Correctamundo.

It was an honor
whaleofyournightmare Decemberist from contemplation Since: Jul, 2011
Decemberist
#234: Apr 9th 2012 at 2:23:22 PM

I was surprised today to learn that obesity is endemic in India, too. Seems it's not so much an American thing as it is a poor people thing.

Its endemic in Mexico and Argentina as well

Dutch Lesbian
BlackElephant Obsidian Proboscidean from In the Room Since: Oct, 2011
Obsidian Proboscidean
#235: Apr 9th 2012 at 8:12:32 PM

In some schools, they cut recess and physical education. Maybe they should not do that.

Also, maybe in schools and offices, they could provide standing desks (and a stool, in case people wanted to sit down). Standing up while working burns more calories than sitting (and is probably better for circulation).

That's probably not all that would have to change, but it'd be a start.

I'm an elephant. Rurr.
Barkey Since: Feb, 2010 Relationship Status: [TOP SECRET]
#236: Apr 9th 2012 at 8:38:35 PM

Cutting recess?! What sort of monster does that!

I do say, this is a problem that needs to be taken care of. If our people want to become fat sacks of lard I suppose that's their business, but we need to give our children as many tools to succeed as possible. Putting them on the fast track to diabetes with shit food and a lack of physical exertion is not the right way to do things.

drunkscriblerian Street Writing Man from Castle Geekhaven Since: Oct, 2010 Relationship Status: In season
Street Writing Man
#237: Apr 9th 2012 at 9:01:16 PM

@Starship: I was joking around, but what I'm talking about is actually a serious problem. It costs a hell of a lot to eat healthy in America. DG cooks virtually every meal we eat, and shopping is always a balance between what we should eat vs. what we can afford to eat.

If I were to write some of the strange things that come under my eyes they would not be believed. ~Cora M. Strayer~
TheStarshipMaxima NCC - 1701 Since: Jun, 2009
NCC - 1701
#238: Apr 10th 2012 at 7:29:01 AM

No, no Scrib. I know you were serious. But you always do it in such a unique and amusing way; which kinda brings the point home that much better.

Cutting recess?! What sort of monster does that!

When most cities and states fuck up their budgets, there's a mad dash to show "we're controlling spending and being fiscally responsible". That often means that education and social services get cut.

Besides, that'll harm the poor more than the rich, so that's a double bonus.

edited 10th Apr '12 7:30:44 AM by TheStarshipMaxima

It was an honor
drunkscriblerian Street Writing Man from Castle Geekhaven Since: Oct, 2010 Relationship Status: In season
Street Writing Man
#239: Apr 10th 2012 at 6:36:15 PM

[up]short term vs. long term, sir. Our leaders don't really care about the latter because they'll get retired long before it affects them, and short-term gains look good on a balance sheet. For now, that is.

If I were to write some of the strange things that come under my eyes they would not be believed. ~Cora M. Strayer~
TheStarshipMaxima NCC - 1701 Since: Jun, 2009
NCC - 1701
#240: Apr 10th 2012 at 7:29:42 PM

Fuck Scrib, why didn't you go into public service? I'd totally be on your administration.

It was an honor
Anthony_H Since: Jan, 2001
#241: Apr 12th 2012 at 8:12:22 AM

I just had a minor case of Values Dissonance respecting my American fellow tropers: it's incredible how touchy the subject of mandatory PE is, I mean, I get it, we all get humilliated and nobody likes to feel that way, but it's something that eventually you just get over it.

I really don't try to sound as a troll or to feel "superior" or "stronger" than anybody here, but I really need some explanation about why it is such a hot topic issue? surprised

Barkey Since: Feb, 2010 Relationship Status: [TOP SECRET]
#242: Apr 12th 2012 at 8:19:16 AM

For me it's a hot topic because I loved PE and feel that physical fitness should be a small part of everyones lives.

For others, it's because they hated PE and thought that it wasn't educational. Sports is a part of our culture, and learning how those sports work is educating people. You'll see a prevalent negative opinion on TV tropes about PE because nerdiness and physical fitness are often on opposite ends of the spectrum from eachother.

To be unkind about it it's because there are a lot of people here who sucked at sports and got picked last in kickball. I.E. because they didn't enjoy it, they feel it is unnecessary.

edited 12th Apr '12 8:20:01 AM by Barkey

johnnyfog Actual Wrestling Legend from the Zocalo Since: Apr, 2010 Relationship Status: They can't hide forever. We've got satellites.
Actual Wrestling Legend
#243: Apr 12th 2012 at 8:24:59 AM

Probably because in the olden times, people didn't have much in the way of entertainment, so they kept themselves up through sports and other manly activities.

PE is an exercise in inadequacy between cutthroat strangers, not friends. So it's no mystery why I hated it.

I'm a skeptical squirrel
Barkey Since: Feb, 2010 Relationship Status: [TOP SECRET]
#244: Apr 12th 2012 at 8:33:24 AM

Sounds like justification to me. Going outside is not some outdated stoneage concept yet, it's good to have some actual human interaction sometimes.

It's got the same competitiveness as a computer game, the only difference is that both the body and mind are tested, instead of just the mind. And I say that as both an avid gamer and athlete, more so gamer than athlete.

I don't like that a fat slob in a hoverround can play a video game 18 hours a day and become the best, because I don't feel fat slobs should be rewarded with success.

edited 12th Apr '12 9:48:26 AM by Barkey

johnnyfog Actual Wrestling Legend from the Zocalo Since: Apr, 2010 Relationship Status: They can't hide forever. We've got satellites.
Actual Wrestling Legend
#245: Apr 12th 2012 at 9:44:48 AM

Okay, so maybe it's not an overabundance of fun. Maybe it's a shortage of time.

I'm a skeptical squirrel
TheStarshipMaxima NCC - 1701 Since: Jun, 2009
NCC - 1701
#246: Apr 12th 2012 at 10:01:59 AM

Barkey that's rough. The bottom line, is that physical education, like so many things, isn't properly presented.

I was one of those nerds always ALWAYS picked last. I was also ran cross country and hide side hobbies like pick-up basketball and hockey. It goes back to what we discussed on the merits of competition thread.

People need to be taught that you can be active and have fun and not necessarily win or lose, although gunning to win is two-thirds of the fun.

I too am saddened that the abuse kids heap in PE turns people off to one of the most beneficial healthcare practices in existence. Honestly, three miles jogging a day would cut most people's healthcare bills in half.

It was an honor
Karalora Since: Jan, 2001
#247: Apr 12th 2012 at 1:01:25 PM

I don't like that a fat slob in a hoverround can play a video game 18 hours a day and become the best, because I don't feel fat slobs should be rewarded with success.

You know, speaking as someone whom you would probably consider a fat slob, kindly go *self-thump*

I mean, have some perspective. There are probably things you don't do because you don't enjoy them, which would arguably make you a better, more well-rounded person. Yet if someone said the things you are successful at shouldn't count because of that omission, you would likely be offended...and rightfully so.

edited 12th Apr '12 1:08:38 PM by Karalora

Vehudur Since: Mar, 2012
#248: Apr 12th 2012 at 1:38:59 PM

On the other hand, you need to take care of your body and so many people do not. If you are not taking care of your body but don't like being told that, too bad.

edited 12th Apr '12 1:40:03 PM by Vehudur

The road to hell is paved with good intentions.
Karalora Since: Jan, 2001
#249: Apr 12th 2012 at 2:18:12 PM

Um, no. It's not a random Internet person's job to tell someone their accomplishments are worthless simply because they are sub-par at what the random Internet person thinks is important.

Midgetsnowman Since: Jan, 2010
#250: Apr 12th 2012 at 2:38:11 PM

@Barkey: I can safely say I hated PE because I was never an amazing physical specimen, I was always picked last, and I knew going in I was going to lose.


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