Podcast Summary
Mental health improvements, Disney's identity: BetterHelp simplifies mental health improvements through online therapy and Disney challenges long-held beliefs, encouraging growth and new perspectives
Making improvements to your mental health can be a simplified process with the help of BetterHelp's online therapy. Unlike traditional methods of finding a therapist, BetterHelp's platform allows you to fill out a questionnaire and get matched with a licensed therapist quickly. This not only saves time but also provides a safe space to focus on what truly matters to you. Meanwhile, in a different context, Disney, once known for its unique approach to memory making and tradition, now faces the challenge of maintaining its identity amidst growth. As Disney continues to evolve, it's important to question long-held beliefs, such as the connection between posture and health. Beth Linker challenges the notion that having bad posture leads to bad health, encouraging us to reconsider the messages we've been told for years. By staying open to new perspectives and embracing change, we can improve our mental health and challenge long-held beliefs. Visit betterhelp.com/unexplainable today to start your journey with BetterHelp and get 10% off your first month.
Origin of posture beliefs: Early European societies did not emphasize good posture as we do today, and the shift towards rigid posture in the late 1800s was influenced by cultural and societal norms rather than scientific evidence
Our modern beliefs about the importance of good posture and its origins have a cultural and historical foundation that is not as scientifically grounded as we might assume. Beth Harris, a historian of science, shares in her book "Slouch" that early European societies did not place the same emphasis on sitting up straight as we do today. In fact, sitting too upright was considered ill-bred and crude. The shift towards rigid posture came around the late 1800s when scientists began to theorize about human evolution and the first human characteristic to evolve was posited to be upright standing. However, Harris argues that the scientific foundation for these beliefs is shaky, and that our understanding of posture has been shaped by cultural and societal norms as much as scientific evidence. This story highlights the importance of critically examining the origins of our beliefs and questioning the assumptions we hold about health and wellness.
White degeneration fears: During late 1800s and early 1900s, some scientists and eugenicists believed white Europeans and Americans were degenerating due to over-civilization and sedentary lifestyles. They incorrectly attributed this to the supposed primitive nature of indigenous peoples, leading to fears about evolutionary fitness.
During the late 1800s and early 1900s, some scientists and eugenicists were concerned about the posture of white Europeans and Americans, believing they were degenerating compared to colonized indigenous peoples. They attributed this to "over-civilization" and the sedentary lifestyles brought about by industrialization. This belief was rooted in racist assumptions that indigenous people were more primitive and uncivilized, leading to a blame game against civilization for causing the slouching. This misconception fueled concerns about the evolutionary fitness of white populations and the potential for degeneration.
Historical origins of posture beliefs: Understanding the historical roots of posture beliefs is crucial, even if we no longer focus on their origins in eugenics and cultural biases. Consumers should demand transparency regarding the source and sustainability of seafood to address concerns like overfishing.
Our modern understanding of good posture has roots in the turn of the last century, where it was intertwined with cultural beliefs and eugenics. The American Posture League, an organization promoting good posture, even depicted Lenape warriors with ideal posture on their posture pins. While we don't focus on these origins today, it's essential to understand how these ideas became deeply ingrained in our collective understanding of posture. In the realm of sustainability, another critical takeaway is the complexity of the wild-caught versus farmed debate. Jason Scott, who grew up in the Pike Place fish market, emphasizes that consumers should demand transparency regarding where their fish comes from and how it's caught. Overfishing is a significant concern, and we need to find ways to ensure that everyone can access seafood without further depleting the oceans.
Food and Data Consumption: Understanding the impact of our food and data consumption choices on the environment and our health is crucial for making informed decisions that benefit both.
Being informed and conscious consumers is crucial for making choices that benefit both the environment and our health. In the realm of food, this means understanding the difference between sustainably farmed and wild-caught seafood, as explored in the PBS docuseries "Hope in the Water." Meanwhile, in the digital world, being aware of how our data is being used is essential, as delved into in the podcast "Technically Optimistic." Additionally, historical examples like the link between posture and tuberculosis prevention demonstrate the power of combining seemingly unrelated issues to create significant impact. So, whether it's our food, data, or posture, staying informed and making conscious choices can lead to positive change.
Early 20th century posture culture: During the early 20th century, maintaining good posture was crucial for overall health and well-being as poor posture was linked to various diseases and negative health outcomes. Posture checks were standard in medical exams, making it essential for individuals to prioritize good posture to avoid potential consequences.
During the early 20th century, there was a strong emphasis on good posture for overall health and well-being. Poor posture was believed to negatively impact various organs and systems in the body, potentially leading to diseases like tuberculosis, anxiety, back pain, and digestive issues. Posture checks became standard in medical exams, including for life insurance, military, and immigration, making it crucial for individuals to maintain good posture to avoid potential consequences. The American Posture League and other organizations promoted this message through posters, guidebooks, and even mandatory posture photographs during college orientation weeks. These examinations were seen as a baseline measure of an individual's health.
Posture Promotion: Posture promotion became a cultural phenomenon in the mid-20th century through educational films, media, and popular culture, emphasizing the importance of good posture and its benefits.
Good posture was heavily promoted through educational films and media in the mid-20th century, with messages about the importance of standing up straight becoming ingrained in popular culture. For instance, films featured characters like Adriene, who was encouraged to improve her posture by a talking mirror. By the 1970s, posture promotion had become commonplace, appearing in fitness media, television shows, and movies. Characters like Amelia from The Princess Diaries, baseball players in A League of Their Own, and Anastasia from the classic animated film all reinforced the idea that good posture is worthwhile. Today, the importance of good posture is still widely recognized and continues to be a focus of health and wellness efforts.
Posture and Health Benefits: Modern research challenges the notion that poor posture is a significant cause of back pain, as its causes are multifactorial and not easily identifiable.
The connection between good posture and health benefits, particularly in relation to back pain, is not as clear-cut as commonly believed. While the idea of sitting up straight may seem intuitive and beneficial, the science behind it is more complex than we might expect. Early research on this topic is outdated, and modern studies show that posture may not play a significant role in the development of back pain. A survey of physiotherapists revealed a lack of agreement on what constitutes good posture, further muddying the waters. Researchers have found that back pain is multifactorial, meaning that its causes are not easily identifiable. While it may be difficult to accept, the evidence does not definitively support the notion that poor posture leads to back pain or other health issues.
Unexplained phenomena: Understanding the mechanics behind unexplained phenomena doesn't diminish our fascination with them, and remaining curious and open-minded can lead to new discoveries.
Even when we understand the mechanics behind a seemingly magical or unexplained phenomenon, we can still be captivated by it. This was illustrated in the magic trick example, where the listener knew how the trick was done but still found herself wondering and being entertained as she watched it again. Similarly, in science, questioning what we think we know and exploring the unexplained can lead to new discoveries and insights. Beth Linker's book "Slouch" delves into various unexplained phenomena, from the history of posture to the mystery of green chicken eggs. The episode was produced by a team of dedicated individuals, and the hosts encourage listeners to send in their thoughts and questions. The takeaway is to remain curious and open-minded, even when faced with the unexplainable.