When astronauts launch, they never sit up straight. The gravitational forces are apparently better handled in a reclining position. Makes sense, right? So why do people think we should sit up straight? Where does that belief come from?

Oh, what I would do for an office that had a recliner with a monitor suspended above me, like the astronauts…

I always felt like reclining was a more comfortable position and was often scolded in school for my posture. The highlight of abuse came from Mrs. Hebert, a french teacher in high school, who asked me “are you retarded or something” when I slouched in my desk during her class.

Well, research has started to come forward to state the obvious: a reclining position is better for your health.

They told the Radiological Society of North America that the best position in which to sit at your desk is leaning slightly back, at about 135 degrees.

Experts said sitting was known to contribute to lower back pain.

Data from the British Chiropractic Association says 32% of the population spends more than 10 hours a day seated.

The cost to the economy of the incorrect ergonomics must be significant. How much more rested and ready would staff be if they were allowed to assume a more relaxed position?

Unbelievably, despite all the facts staring us in the face, the most common office furniture today threatens humans with a harmful position.

And what about airplanes? Why not start the flight in a reclining position? Would it really be that hard for people to get out of their chairs in an emergency?

Perhaps the reasons for the upright position are to do with “regal” or “monarchial” habits from western culture — it is more proper to be perpendicular, or even leaning forward, and easier to dethrone a king who sits upright.

One thing is certain, those who are not bound by the past traditions of others and left to establish their own are more inclined to recline.

Neo-nazis have found a loophole in the German laws, allowing them to create a shrine from a hotel built around one of Hitler’s bunkers:

Obersalzberg near Berchtesgaden, located in Bavaria near the Austrian border, became Hitler’s holiday retreat in 1923. It was expanded after 1933, becoming a second seat of government along with Berlin under the Nazi regime.

The hotel “Zum Türken” and adjoining bunker were once the quarters for Hitler’s personal security staff and bodyguards from the Sicherheitsdienst des Reichsführers (SD). Visitors to the bunker can view SD detention cells and shooting ranges.

[…]

“The problem is that a relic of the Third Reich is privately owned and commercially marketed by the owner.”

Funny thing about fascists, perhaps due to want of corporatism, is they always seem to know how to manipulate the private sector to undermine rule of law for profit.

This conflict has nothing to do with VW. Really, the car company just happened to use the name Tuareg. The ultimate irony would be if the Niger and Mali military started driving the VW SUVs when patrolling for Tuareg rebels.

…a Tuareg splinter group in Mali announced it had formed an alliance with Tuareg rebels in neighbouring Niger, who have begun a new military offensive this year against the Niger government.

The governments of Mali and Niger have said they will work together against the rebels who have demanded better development and a share of Niger’s mineral wealth.

Will VW come out with a Tuareg Rebel edition?

How many other vehicles have been named after a group of people? The Chrysler New Yorker comes to mind.