Comment on Anthropology Film

[Machka]

My class watched an Anthropology film today about the ideas about giving in different cultures. That was interesting ... but something else caught my attention.

One segment was about an Indonesian town and a type of funeral celebration they were going through ...... and I noticed that the people, all the people, in this town were skinny as rails. OK, chances are they didn't eat as much as "western" cultures ... I didn't see any McD's there! But what really struck me was how active they were. The whole town was moving this huge rock as a part of this funeral celebration, but the whole time when they weren't actively involved in pulling, tugging, etc. ... instead of sitting down to rest, they were dancing and hopping around. These people did not sit still!

But it made me think about a study done a few years ago, that people who fidget tend to weigh less than people who don't. Maybe we should start dancing and hopping around when we wait for the bus, or wait in line at the grocery store. :D

[caloso]

When the big Aktins "carbs are evil" fad came out, it reminded me of a trip I took to Vietnam about 10 years ago. They eat rice 3 meals a day and not one person we met was remotely chubby, let alone obese. Everybody walks or rides a bike.

[barba]

There tends to be a focus on our diet, but what seems even clearer to me is that we are a sedentary society. It is amazing how little you can move in a day if you want to here.

[calamarichris]

"We've got it good nowadays. When else have people gone hunting on a full stomach?" -- Chris Rock

Why do I fee like a homeless person whenever I go for a walk? Perhaps because everyone else is driving alone in 6mpg luxury SUVs to the glitzy health club, and pays money for the privilege of doing their walking on treadmills?
And why do I feel like someone who's gotten a DUI whenever I ride a bike in civilian clothes (i.e. non-lycra)?
Why do my neighbors and family all say, "Be careful" whenever they see me heading out on a ride on our SUV-infested roads?
Self-perambulation is so '90's. 1890's I mean.
-CCinC

[Machka]

Self-perambulation is so '90's. 1890's I mean.
-CCinC

Try 1950s or 1960s.

The big thing, as a teenager in the 1980s, was getting our driver's licences, and getting our first cars.

[Carbonfiberboy]

I have a female cycling friend who is just like that - always moving. Super high energy. She can't help it. Even on a diet of ice cream and gummibears, she can't break 100 lbs.