# The World According to Scylla **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [October 23, 2003, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-world-according-to-scylla/209021 "2003-10-23T01:36:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2003, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-world-according-to-scylla/209021/41 "2003-10-25T23:05:09Z")
Uncertain as to how to adapt your technique to Earth Shoes. Advise. ---
**Author:** ![Scylla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2003, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-world-according-to-scylla/209021/42 "2003-10-25T23:29:02Z")
what is an earth shoe? ---
**Author:** ![akennett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee59a6/32.png) [@akennett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/akennett)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2003, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-world-according-to-scylla/209021/43 "2003-10-25T23:55:11Z")
Love the walking advice. I broke my leg (the tibia just at the knee plateau) this past summer and walking has not been much fun since. I tried out your technique and it feels much better on my knee than walking around like I normally do. It even helped going down stairs. I’ll have to give your breathing technique a whirl tomorrow on the stat. bike. ---
**Author:** ![GilaB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8e7dd6/32.png) [@GilaB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GilaB)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2003, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-world-according-to-scylla/209021/44 "2003-10-26T00:58:35Z")
Doesn’t walking this way make your foot more likely to overpronate? ---
**Author:** ![Freiheit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e8c25b/32.png) [@Freiheit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freiheit)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2003, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-world-according-to-scylla/209021/45 "2003-10-26T01:23:17Z")
Scylla: this new way of walking intrigues me.\* I tried it using leather-soled slippers, and it seems great. But I wouldn’t want to wear these out+about. What moccasins/alternative shoes do you recommend? ## Also awaiting your mental things. \*and I would like to subscribe to your newsletter ---
**Author:** ![E72521](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dbc845/32.png) [@E72521](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E72521)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2003, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-world-according-to-scylla/209021/46 "2003-10-26T14:22:00Z")
> [@](#): > > what is an earth shoe? Back in the 70’s the style was to wear shoes that had the heel low and the ball and toes higher. I think they came out of Sweden or Norway. You were a total geek if you didn’t wear them to school. Didn’t last long. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2003, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-world-according-to-scylla/209021/47 "2003-10-26T18:45:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Scylla \* > Meant by evolution. Evolution doesn’t mean or plan anything. It just _is_. There is no greater r&d centre thinking up how we’re ‘supposed’ to breathe. However, even though I don’t agree on that point, I _do_ agree that breathing by the method you describe is vastly superior. I’m surprised no one who’s a singer or works on stage has said anything. This is the way many speech therapists advocate as the best way to speak to be able to project ones voice. Less strain on the vocal chords and throat, wider range. I’ll try your way of walking, since I have a problem with arthritis. On preview: **E72521** You mean [Ecco](http://www.ecco.com/aw2003/company/history.asp?sCountryID=10) from Denmark. They’re still very much around, still making those shoes. If you click 1970 on the page, you’ll find the shoe, named ‘Joke’. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/41988e/32.png) [@El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Cid_Viscoso)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2003, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-world-according-to-scylla/209021/48 "2003-10-27T04:37:11Z")
Hey guys, not to argue, but I always thought earth shoes were the predecessors to _Birkenstocks_. Then again, my memories of the early 70s are a little foggy… ---
**Author:** ![Wake\_up\_call](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/dec6dc/32.png) [@Wake\_up\_call](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wake_up_call)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2003, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-world-according-to-scylla/209021/49 "2003-10-27T11:46:45Z")
From the Time Magazine Cover of September 1988 **Fit for What?** Fifteen years ago, the highlights of the article were: “Running and breathing well enables us to serve our individual purpose in life, but that is not **the** purpose in life. One can serve purpose with impaired health. One might even regain health through purpose”. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2003, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-world-according-to-scylla/209021/50 "2003-10-27T12:19:12Z")
Ecco made Earth Shoes? I’ll be darned. Ecco makes some of the best, most comfortable dress shoes in the world. Better and more supportive than most sneakers. I _highly_ reccomend picking up a pair… try Sierra Trading Post for good discounts, they’re not cheap. ---
**Author:** ![Wake\_up\_call](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/dec6dc/32.png) [@Wake\_up\_call](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wake_up_call)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2003, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-world-according-to-scylla/209021/51 "2003-10-27T12:44:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by E-Sabbath \* > \*\*Ecco made Earth Shoes? I’ll be darned. Ecco makes some of the best, most comfortable dress shoes in the world. Better and more supportive than most sneakers. I _highly_ reccomend picking up a pair… try Sierra Trading Post for good discounts, they’re not cheap. \*\* Pleeeese. Let’s stick to the OP, which clearly said: **They say man learns from experience, but a wise man learns from the experience of others.** One of the problems people from outside US have with Americans is that: all you seem to be knowledgeable about is the price of the milk bottle, even if you have $10 million dollars in your bank account. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2003, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-world-according-to-scylla/209021/52 "2003-10-27T15:20:09Z")
Oh, yes. Entirely so, old bean, we’ll just have the servants whip round and buy us a bit of the old cow. Ha! Price? Think nothing of it, for we are the rich americans who care naught for such material things. You _are_ in the USA, aren’t you? (Also, apparently, you don’t understand the actual _price_ of these shoes. Good pair of Ecco costs the same as a cheap bicycle.) Which, of course, brings us back to the point of the op. Learning from others. It is true that the way you walk (He’s a ladies man, no time to talk) is half of the battle. The other half is what you walk _in_. And a good solid pair of shoes is worth its weight in gold. ---
**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2003, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-world-according-to-scylla/209021/53 "2003-10-27T15:56:29Z")
**Wake up call** , what are you fishing for in this thread? ---
**Author:** ![E72521](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dbc845/32.png) [@E72521](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E72521)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2003, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-world-according-to-scylla/209021/54 "2003-10-27T17:49:29Z")
> [@](#): > > You mean Ecco from Denmark. They’re still very much around, still making those shoes. If you click 1970 on the page, you’ll find the shoe, named ‘Joke’. Now that I’ve thought about it, I recall the brand being Kelso, with a slash through the o. Very popular at Granada Hills High School '75-'76. I think John Elway even wore them. I thought they went out of business when the fad faded. > [@](#): > > However, even though I don’t agree on that point, I do agree that breathing by the method you describe is vastly superior. I’m surprised no one who’s a singer or works on stage has said anything. This is the way many speech therapists advocate as the best way to speak to be able to project ones voice. Less strain on the vocal chords and throat, wider range. What you’re describing is _diaphragmatic breathing_. Simply put, when you inhale, you concentrate on pushing your belly out. When you exhale, you concentrate on pushing your belly in. Frequently used by singers and horn players. It is also taught to pulmonary rehab patients because the diaphragm is the most efficient muscle for inhaling deeply. It also allows better control of the amount of air that passes through the vocal chords and mouth piece on exhalation. I doubt its practicality during exercise. Maybe **Scylla** could attempt to sing an aria during his next run and report back.😉 ---
**Author:** ![Wake\_up\_call](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/dec6dc/32.png) [@Wake\_up\_call](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wake_up_call)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2003, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-world-according-to-scylla/209021/55 "2003-10-28T00:26:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by whuckfistle \* > \*\ ***Wake up call** , what are you fishing for in this thread? \*\* The OP said: **There’s a couple of mental things I’ve learned, and I’ll probably mention them tomorrow**. That’s what I am fishing for. But, then again, he did say “probably”. So, I am ready to give up checking this thread. Hopefully, if he decides to do it, he’ll open a new thread. ---
**Author:** ![Freiheit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e8c25b/32.png) [@Freiheit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freiheit)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2003, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-world-according-to-scylla/209021/56 "2003-10-28T23:24:43Z")
I, too, am awaiting the mental things. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/41988e/32.png) [@El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Cid_Viscoso)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2003, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-world-according-to-scylla/209021/57 "2003-10-29T05:38:16Z")
> [@](#): > > _by Wake up call_ [bracketing mine] > > [mental things from Scylla] That’s what I’m waiting for. > [@](#): > > _by Freiheit_ > > I, too, am awaiting the mental things. There’s a joke here, except I’m laughing too hard to articulate it. ---
**Author:** ![Wake\_up\_call](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/dec6dc/32.png) [@Wake\_up\_call](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wake_up_call)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2003, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-world-according-to-scylla/209021/58 "2003-10-29T06:18:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mr. B \* > \*\*There’s a joke here, except I’m laughing too hard to articulate it. \*\* Well, you see, **Scylla** has averaged over 8 posts per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year for the past 4 years, just to this forum alone. Who knows what other forums he has also been posting. Forget the walking and breathing tricks. I want to know his secret of those agile and healthy fingers busily dancing non-stop on the computer keyboard. OK **Mr. B** , I think I get the joke. Are you insinuating that there is nothing mental there, and thus **Freiheit** and I should quit waiting? ---
**Author:** ![El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/41988e/32.png) [@El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Cid_Viscoso)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2003, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-world-according-to-scylla/209021/59 "2003-10-29T06:32:15Z")
> [@](#): > > _by Wake up call_ > > OK **Mr. B** , I think I get the joke. Are you insinuating that there is nothing mental there, and thus **Freiheit** and I should quit waiting? [dial a cliche] Your phone bill will reflect a $1.99 charge, **Mr. B**. [/dial a cliche] I can distinctly hear a grindstone in the background. [dial a cliche] Your phone bill will reflect a $1.99 charge, **Mr. B**. [/dial a cliche] Is that a roll of Certs in your pocket or did you just land on an aircraft carrier? ---
**Author:** ![Scylla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2003, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-world-according-to-scylla/209021/60 "2003-10-30T02:46:55Z")
Wake up call: > [@](#): > > That’s what I am fishing for. But, then again, he did say “probably”. So, I am ready to give up checking this thread. Hopefully, if he decides to do it, he’ll open a new thread. Well. One of the mental things that you might be interested in is this thing called “patience.” > [@](#): > > Well, you see, Scylla has averaged over 8 posts per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year for the past 4 years, just to this forum alone. Who knows what other forums he has also been posting. > > Forget the walking and breathing tricks. I want to know his secret of those agile and healthy fingers busily dancing non-stop on the computer keyboard. Sure thing. Here’s how I do it: Short posts. Don’t proofread. Just make sure 95% of your posts are real short, and do a long one once in a while and you too can average lots of posts per day. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-world-according-to-scylla/209021.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-world-according-to-scylla/209021.md?page=4)