Slouching is for suckers

A 1953 Centron Corporation educational film explains how poor posture is the root of all social misery, poor health, and general malaise. And that's one to grow on.

Here is what you’ll learn today, fellow computer users: slouching is the reason no one talks to you at parties, even if you’re a perfectly attractive and friendly person, and the key to good posture is exercise, rest, and good shoes. Though we will tell you one thing: If your reflection in the mirror is mocking you because of your posture, you might have bigger problems than slouching.

1950s Educational Film Explains: Slouching Is For Terrible People [Video]

I write books. My latest is a YA science fiction novel called Homeland (it's the sequel to Little Brother). More books: Rapture of the Nerds (a novel, with Charlie Stross); With a Little Help (short stories); and The Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow (novella and nonfic). I speak all over the place and I tweet and tumble, too.

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vrplumber

So slouching is the key to effective self-isolation? I will have to remember that for when the zombie apocalypse happens.
freshacconci

No one likes me and I slouch. That must be the reason.
chaopoiesis

Posture, shmosture… she’s a communist.
theophrastvs

but but… i’ve no other way to get to Bethlehem
joeposts

I’m glad it’s not the halitosis and body odour, it’s gotta be my terrible slouch.
http://disqus.com/Kimmoth/ Kimmo

In other news, studies have shown that pain leads to arthritis.
ironbear

America’s war against people who are female, queer, physically challenged or different continues…
- http://twitter.com/gkiltzVA Glen Kiltz
  
  In those days, males were expected to “learn posture. Females got it from the girdles they were required to wear.
BDiamond

This is a must for RiffTrax to have fun with.
http://twitter.com/stellaaaa Stella

Wait, there is something profound. The students are advised to seek help from the science teacher. Imagine how impossible that is now. Instead, they would be directed to their preacher, or the celebrity self help web page on “posture”.
Steve Taylor

Ok, it’s cheesy, but… A couple of years ago when I was hunting for a job, my ironclad rule was always to do yoga the night before a job interview. Felt like it helped to me.
http://artdonovan.typepad.com Art

…And starring a very young Rutger Hauer.
http://www.kmoser.com kmoser

I was hoping it would be propaganda promoting Rolfing.
sockdoll

At least the students in the film got to keep their clothes on.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivy_League_nude_posture_photos
http://twitter.com/perizade Perizade

I love how children are shamed for innocent infractions in 1950′s PSAs.
frozenintime

I’m a 50s kid and my aunt was alway’s harping on me not to slouch. No wonder I read boing boing, I’m such a sucker.
SomeGuyNamedMark

“poor posture is the root of all social misery, poor health, and general malaise”

I thought it was either due to masturbation or jazz music.
GawainLavers

I’d laugh, but it’s the root of my rotator cuff bursitis, which has kept me out of the gym, which as impacted my weight, which…
http://twitter.com/gkiltzVA Glen Kiltz

Finally, medical science figured out that the natural position of the spine is NOT upright like a toy soldier. it IS slightly forward. That is what the human spine has evolved for. As a result, schools, and an increasing number of employers have finally gotten this “posture” nonsense out of their heads.
purple-stater

Posture is a lost art. It’s mind-boggling being around a bar these days, or a school at prom time, and seeing so many young men and women dressed up fancy and looking like refugees from a costume party, simply because their posture is so poor. Movie awards (Oscars, Grammies, et. al.) are another great source of amusement and disappointment.