reader feedback
You talk, we listen! Here’s what you had to say about previous issues of id. Thanks for your feedback and suggestions. Keep ’em coming.
THE SCIENCE OF STUPID
The November issue’s article on stupidity versus evolution was probably the funniest thing I’ve read in id. But beyond the humor, it was also illuminating to read about what impels people to do the crazy, stupid stuff that can get some of them memorialized on the Internet. The biological motivation aspect makes a lot of sense, though in the absence of fierce predators and do-or-die situations, the impulse is channeled into “innovative” home repairs or feats that aspire to derring-do. And though we’d all like to think we’re better than that, I’m sure we all have our moments when we’re doing something that we know is not the best idea, but we’re doing it anyway—come what may! No one is immune. So to all the thrill-seekers and danger rangers out there, I’ll just say: Be conscious of your actions, and try to look before you leap. Jim Thornfeld, San Francisco, CA
We had a lot of fun with this one. But we’re glad the story hit the mark not just for its humor but for its presentation of this aspect of the human condition, which is really integral in its way. The concept of the Darwin Award, though gruesome and somewhat derisive, makes sense for those of us who lived to repeat the tale. And of course stupidity itself is all relative, though as the photos show, there are things you can just look at as a frozen moment in time and know that that’s an “uh-oh.”
With all that in mind, we’d like to recommend a movie that is among our very favorites here at id. Idiocracy presents an amazingly entertaining treatment of the subject of stupidity, and specifically with regard to stupidity considered in the context of evolution. (It certainly doesn’t hurt that the movie has a star-studded cast that includes Luke Wilson, Maya Rudolph, Dax Shepard, and Terry Crews.) Some say Idiocracy started out as comedic fiction but ended up a documentary. It chronicles the crazy adventure of a man who was perfectly average in our time who gets frozen in a military experiment and wakes up hundreds of years later in a future where the world has become severely dumbed down, and now he’s the smartest man alive. From the guy who brought you Office Space and Beavis and Butt-head (who even makes a cameo in the film), this work is surely timeless and worth watching. (Rated R—sorry, kids.)
VITAL INFORMATION
I didn’t know about telomeres until I read the aging article in the November issue, but I fear I’ve shortened mine significantly for no good reason. I sleep poorly, have a crappy diet, and don’t move that much. But now I can no longer ignore the impact I’m having on my longevity. So kudos to you all for your article on what makes a body age and what keeps it young, as it contains what I’d call “vital” information. I hope it will also motivate others to turn over a new leaf with regard to their health, because it’s later than we think… Janice Simpson, Aurora, CO
At our core many of us know what we should do to preserve and enhance health, but actually doing it is another matter. Embarking on a new paradigm is usually harder than being in the midst of the endeavor. Be aware of your portion sizes and how late you eat your last meal, avoid artificial ingredients, and don’t overindulge in refined sugar, white flour, and salt. And eat your veggies! If you don’t like them, find a way to make them palatable. And move: If you aren’t down for anything more, simply walk at least 20 minutes each day. On a psychological level, don’t harbor resentment and anger. It seems intangible, but these energy aspects of our being do have a significant influence on health and wellness, because all of the elements of our selves are interconnected. So be kind to your cells, as they’re all striving for optimal functionality. And once you get used to better habits, maintaining them shouldn’t be onerous.
id UPDATE: BREATHING BAD
Just as we were going to press with our November issue, which contains an article called “Breathing Bad” about the dangers of meth labs in private homes, news broke of a meth lab bust in a house in West Orange, New Jersey. Ultimately it was noise complaints about late-night parties that prompted authorities to surveil the house for months, and on July 29th they moved in for the bust. Essex County authorities arrested 23-year-old Brian Cheda Hackembruch and confiscated almost $1 million in methamphetamines. They described the home lab as among the most elaborate they had ever seen, and a HAZMAT team had to be called in.