Every now and then I come across a book that really makes me think. Last week a very good friend of mine, who happens to be an exceptional runner, gave me a copy of BORN TO RUN by Christopher McDougall. It basically states that human beings were never meant to wear shoes. Prior to 1970′s and the birth of Nike, pretty much all sneakers were flat bottomed, rubber soles with no arch support or any other technological trickery that is injected into the current $200 running fare. Hence, it is no coincindence that during the pre-1970′s era, there were virtually no ankle, knee, hip, lower back problems, etc. reported. But once Nike came into the scene and created all this “support” & “cushioning”, all those medical problems came into existence and skyrocketed. Diagnosis…the human foot is not meant to be cushioned or supported. The natural arch is a wonder in design that only millions of years of evolution could have crafted. By wearing expensive shoes with all this technological support gadgetry, we are removing our feet from it’s natural state…hence innovating backwards and creating problems. Blew my mind. I’m going to go run barefoot for a while and find out for myself.
What’s something you’ve come across recently that totally blew away your current mode of thinking?
Born To Run
I remember your sneakers from when I photographed Phil and some of the BLT family at the Asian American International Film Festival for Indie Slate magazine. Your sneakers lit up the room!
As far as lower back problems, they might be caused by the stress of living in a heretofore consumeristic society where people pay as you say, $ 200 for sneakers. Maybe the failing economy will change our priorities and backs will heal themselves slowly, over time but first we have to deal with other strains.
Regarding books that changed my mind: that honor still belongs to “Jonathan Livingston Seagul” for me. I consider it spiritual, uplifting and a whole new way to experience a book!
That the stock market is basically a legal Ponzi scheme.
I stumbled onto this fact:
Three out of a thousand men (0.3%) are well endowed enough to fellate (blow) themselves to orgasm.
If anyone reading this falls into this category, please let me know.
That we are or will be drinking water that’s been flushed down the toilet.
Reading an article about a 4,000 yr-old bowl of noodles that was unearthed in China got me thinking about humans, and how we’ve been living the same existence for bazillions of years. Those noodles could have been the same brand that I get at Ranch 99.
Medical things always wow me too. Recently I learned some interesting things about skin grafting and facial transplants.
Great insight, Roger. I am dealing with a foot injury myself. This reminds me of the dramatic increase in breast cancer diagnoses since women were ordered to have a mammogram every year.
Michael Pollan “The Omnivore’s Dilemma”
on a pragmatic note Beth Kobliner “Get a Financial Life”