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Hah!

From the Times UK:

Short men were irresistible to women until mankind’s ancestors learnt how to use tools as weapons, research suggests.

Being short made modern man’s predecessors more adept at fighting — with a lower centre of gravity and better balance — and guaranteed them huge sex appeal, according to the study by David Carrier, of the University of Utah.

The adaptation was so successful that for two million years human ancestors with the shortest legs were the most successful. They would also have been the most aggressive, probably because they were confident of winning fights rather than having a complex about their height.

So the state wrestling championship comes into focus for me now - even how 205lbs me beat the 380lbs behemoths in the Unlimited class.

Interesting (to me) sidenote. I'm just shy of 6 feet tall, but always had a problem with the Army's weight regs... because the bulk of my height is in my torso, not legs. Made me a good sprinter, too - 10.3 in the 100 yards, 4.5 in the forty. But the Army's system didn't account for that too well. My inseam is... 30. The current deputy commander at Fort Leavenworth is BG Joe Ramirez. Joe and I were Majors together as small group leaders at Fort Sill. Joe used to bug me about my weight compared to his until I made this comparison for him - Joe is about 5 feet, 8 inches tall, or just under 4 inches shorter than I am.

We have the same inseam.

I could take him, though. Not that he cares, given what his retirement check is going to be like compared to mine.

8^ D

H/t, Jim C.

12 Comments

I feel much better now. I'm 6'4", 30 in inseam also.
 
And a wingspan of 6' 7 1/2". It's OK if anyone wants to add any ape jokes, I'm sure I've heard them, but anything new is always welcome.
 
Smaller and thicker also tends to be more efficient as far as body heat retention, as well. Another advantage when you can't make fire or skin other animals to make clothing. And at 6'2.5" and 175(ish) with a 36" inseam, I suck at combatives and sprints (getting those long legs moving takes a bit), but I come into my own at the quarter mile and beyond.
 
I'm a good stout Irish boy at 5ft 9 and 200 Lbs. Toss in a little Wild Turkey and I'm 10ft 4 and 300 Lbs as well as bullet proof :)
 
Six foot, one-sixty-five to one-seventy (depending on humidity), thirty-five inch inseam, thirty-four inch waist. A decided advantage climbing into a Huey cockpit, a decided *dis*advantage scrunching into the front seat of a Cobra. One of my Air Guard buds got me into the F-16 sim to see if I really *could* fly with my knees poking me in the chest...
 
You and me, and General Lee. I, too, have a 30" (-) inseam. With the seat in my truck all the way forward, I can just barely depress the clutch pedal all the way, with some ankle flexing. Puts me 'way too close to the safety bomb in the steering wheel, and with my long torso (I used to be 5'11"+) the wheel obscures the instruments. I'm definitely not a 50th percentile guy, in *any* way. Lee was a shortshanks too. He looked very tall on horseback.
 
Ya know, if any of you guys need help verifying measurements, Maggie and I are available.
 
I wish I had a 30 inch inseam, mine is barely more than 28 inches. I got to ride in a Blackhawk last year when the JROTC at Nevada High got a visit from the Air Force Reserve. The ground was a little uneven where they landed and the bottom of the door hit me right above the belly button. The cadets waiting for their chance to ride got a real show when I tried to hoist my 5 foot 11 inch 300+ pounds into the back. If I ever get another chance I'm bringing a step ladder!
 
AFSis has a great point. The Denizennes are definitely available to verify measurements. And as Adjutant, I should be present to record any important factoids as well. *guh-Rin*
 
...if any of you guys need help verifying measurements, Maggie and I are available. And I'm available if you or Maggie need help verifying measurements. Any measurements at all. Hmmmpf. Now you'll prob'ly want to know how high yer ceiling is...
 
Hmmmpf. Now you'll prob'ly want to know how high yer ceiling is... Hmmmm......lowering expectations out of the box....what kind of attitude is that for a fluffer? AFSis beat me to the punch on this. My only defense is that I was recovering from my midweek escape to the Spa @ Foxwoods. So I will just echo her offer.
 
No ape jokes!!! I'm pleased and disappointed. My favorites have been variations of the "Old suit on an ugly ape" type. I know there are others out there. BTW ladies, I'd take you up on the kind offers, however I reside in a third world country and would be gentlemanly enough to not expose you to that. But I thank you for't anyway.
 
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