Psychological effect of cars and sitting in chairs (not news but I dont' care)

[mtlouie]

"Sit as little as possible; give no credence to any thought that was not born outdoors while one moved about freely - in which the muscles are not celebrating a feast, too. All prejudices come from the intestines.

The sedentary life is a sin against the spirit."

-Nietzsche, Ecce Homo

Holy cow, Russ!  I've read a lot of Nietzsche, but never that.  That was awesome!  Right into the quote book!   

[710]

"She asked me to stay and she told me to sit anywhere
So I looked around and I noticed there wasn't a chair"
-- The Beatles, Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)

[mtlouie]

Watched the U.S. vs. John Lennon this weekend, 710.  John knew some stuff. 

[710]

That he did.

[msegk]

That small bit about rocking chairs reminds me of something.

When I was a child, my grandparents had a fabulous porch swing.  It was oak, about seven feet long, built in 1914.  I always had a sentimental attachment to it, having first experienced rocking on it at 4 months old.  But as I grew up, I realized gradually that EVERYONE who sat on that swing became extremely attached to it.   In fact after the house became mine, people who had not sat on it in 50 years would recall the experience with great longing!  Everyone who sat on it mentioned how relaxing and mesmerizing it was.  There was literally something about its size, height off the ground, "swinging radius" (and/or other factors?) that impacted people tremendously.  It was lower to the ground and had long chains, creating a long slow glide compared to most swings.

When I was forced to sell that house due to a move out of state, I took that swing with me but never found the right place to put it so I shipped it back to the new owners.  Several people from that town, not just the owners, still thank me for sending it back.

Love the Nietzsche and Lennon together, thanks!

[Biminim]

That small bit about rocking chairs reminds me of something.

When I was a child, my grandparents had a fabulous porch swing.  It was oak, about seven feet long, built in 1914.  I always had a sentimental attachment to it, having first experienced rocking on it at 4 months old.  But as I grew up, I realized gradually that EVERYONE who sat on that swing became extremely attached to it.   In fact after the house became mine, people who had not sat on it in 50 years would recall the experience with great longing!  Everyone who sat on it mentioned how relaxing and mesmerizing it was.  There was literally something about its size, height off the ground, "swinging radius" (and/or other factors?) that impacted people tremendously.  It was lower to the ground and had long chains, creating a long slow glide compared to most swings.

When I was forced to sell that house due to a move out of state, I took that swing with me but never found the right place to put it so I shipped it back to the new owners.  Several people from that town, not just the owners, still thank me for sending it back.

Love the Nietzsche and Lennon together, thanks!

Nice story.

[torchsinger]

OK, Matt, now you are in trouble!   

I read the book section you pointed out and learned that people from "squatting cultures" rarely need hip/knee replacements, etc.  I have a bit of sciatica so I thought that this would probably be good for me. I tried squatting in front of the computer yesterday (for about 5 minutes) and sat on the floor for a  while, too.  Today, I think that I need traction...

Seriously, I hurt a bit, but in a good way. I am going to try to work up to squatting for longer and longer periods while I am using the computer so that I can get just a bit of physical benefit.  Anyone else want to join in?

P.S.  Check my new signature!

[thesublimetaoist]

Did you see this bit Matt?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20090722/sc_livescience/strangehumansglowinvisiblelight

[Russ]

"Sit as little as possible; give no credence to any thought that was not born outdoors while one moved about freely - in which the muscles are not celebrating a feast, too. All prejudices come from the intestines.

The sedentary life is a sin against the spirit."

-Nietzsche, Ecce Homo

Holy cow, Russ!  I've read a lot of Nietzsche, but never that.  That was awesome!  Right into the quote book!   

His preferred routine, when he was in the workshop of ideas, and when his health allowed it, was to go for long walks, thinking, stopping now and then to jot ideas in his notebook, and then writing it up into longer notes when he got back.

[JurisDoctorOfDoom]

OK, Matt, now you are in trouble!   

I read the book section you pointed out and learned that people from "squatting cultures" rarely need hip/knee replacements, etc.  I have a bit of sciatica so I thought that this would probably be good for me. I tried squatting in front of the computer yesterday (for about 5 minutes) and sat on the floor for a  while, too.  Today, I think that I need traction...

Seriously, I hurt a bit, but in a good way. I am going to try to work up to squatting for longer and longer periods while I am using the computer so that I can get just a bit of physical benefit.  Anyone else want to join in?

P.S.  Check my new signature!

Definitely want to check out:

http://www.magnificentmobility.com

Get a foam roller, pull up some videos on youtube and put the thing to use.

You can try squat-sitting on a pilates ball. Sort of like the third world squat but for you lean against the ball. Hard to explain but if you get one I'll take a pic and post it.

Google "squat to stand". That's the name of an exercise to help with this stuff.

[EyesWideOpen]

That small bit about rocking chairs reminds me of something.

When I was a child, my grandparents had a fabulous porch swing.  It was oak, about seven feet long, built in 1914.  I always had a sentimental attachment to it, having first experienced rocking on it at 4 months old.  But as I grew up, I realized gradually that EVERYONE who sat on that swing became extremely attached to it.   In fact after the house became mine, people who had not sat on it in 50 years would recall the experience with great longing!  Everyone who sat on it mentioned how relaxing and mesmerizing it was.  There was literally something about its size, height off the ground, "swinging radius" (and/or other factors?) that impacted people tremendously.  It was lower to the ground and had long chains, creating a long slow glide compared to most swings.

When I was forced to sell that house due to a move out of state, I took that swing with me but never found the right place to put it so I shipped it back to the new owners.  Several people from that town, not just the owners, still thank me for sending it back.

Love the Nietzsche and Lennon together, thanks!

Good feng shui, I hope the new owners hung it in its original spot.

[BJ]

Matt, I'm reminded of a point you've made before, about the disconnection to the real world you get when driving.  Try driving when the weather isn't good and compare that to attempting the same journey on foot or by bicycle or even motorcycle.  The world is very different.

In a similar vein I was disturbed watching the CNN promo for future warfare, using drones for missile attacks in Afganistan where the operators don't even have to be in the same country.  Launching missiles is not the sort of thing I want people to be doing while they sit at computer screens and drink coffee. 

[Emeline]

"First, be a good animal" - Emerson.

[BillPeakOil]

I am not saying this is not true, but citing one single book as a source for this, is not enough.

Please do not particpate any further in this thread. Thank you, that is all.

Well, I must say I agree with Matt's thread on this topic and am against chairs.  That said,I have to wonder if it is a good idea to shut down someone with a valid thought.  It usually is a good idea to be open minded and have several sources for information.  This site complains that the public and mainstream media are not open minded enough to consider our argument.  Seems hypocritical to be so scared of someone questioning you that you immediately shut them down.  I realize that as you say this is Matt's board and you can do whatever you want.  But really if you start treating everyone badly they will go else where and eventually ad and affiliate sales will crater.  I know that now my account will be closed and this post deleted for questioning the master, but I'm okay with that hopefully a few people will see it before its gone.   Just thought someone should stick up for 'ballad' whoever they are.  Peace, I'm outta here for good and won't check back so don't bother flaming, and yes I know most of you will say good riddance since I questioned your leader.   But someone had to check that ego.

[Max und Moritz]

Whoa, Bill, chill it a bit, okay? No need to get defensive - thread´s got a lot of potential and you can say pretty much anything for or against - as long as you stay as factual as possible and above all, non-confrontational 

Back to topic, I wondered sometimes why Romans - highly sophisticated bath-lovers, masseur-crazy and athletics freaks - insisted on eating, studying, and even being transported (all who could afford it!) in a litter: ALL of those activities were done reclining, not sitting if they could avoid it. Many years ago we did a very long "I, Claudius" theatre play abbreviated version, it ran for about three and a half hours, and as most of it is intrigue and plot moving through dialogue, we spent a LOT of time reclining/eating, reclining/intriguing, reclining/philosophising, etc. Bottom line, after a short getting used-to time most people found it most relaxing and comfortable. Just my 2$ worth - I don´t know how that might influence chakras positively, if at all?