What is your State the Worst at?
January 24, 2011 5:00 PM Subscribe
The United States of Shame. Surprisingly, Florida is not the oldest state. Unsurprisingly, Utah uses the most internet porn.
How can Washington be the worst at bestiality? Someone get Dan Savage on the phone immediately.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 5:03 PM on January 24, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 5:03 PM on January 24, 2011 [2 favorites]
Utah doesn't use the most internet porn necessarily - it just pays for the most, through subscriptions. As someone once said, that's a testament to the honesty of the people of Utah.
posted by Sticherbeast at 5:03 PM on January 24, 2011 [20 favorites]
posted by Sticherbeast at 5:03 PM on January 24, 2011 [20 favorites]
So what exactly does it mean to be "worst" at abortions? Are the doctors all butterfingers?
posted by 2bucksplus at 5:05 PM on January 24, 2011 [4 favorites]
posted by 2bucksplus at 5:05 PM on January 24, 2011 [4 favorites]
Ohio has the highest library usage, and that's somehow a bad thing?
posted by DoctorFedora at 5:05 PM on January 24, 2011 [21 favorites]
posted by DoctorFedora at 5:05 PM on January 24, 2011 [21 favorites]
I guess the good bad people of Minnesota brought all those tornadoes upon themselves? For shame, Minnesota. For shame.
posted by The Card Cheat at 5:05 PM on January 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by The Card Cheat at 5:05 PM on January 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
No, I think the original phrasing was right. Utah is the worst at using internet porn. If they knew what they were doing, they'd be getting it for free.
posted by nebulawindphone at 5:06 PM on January 24, 2011 [15 favorites]
posted by nebulawindphone at 5:06 PM on January 24, 2011 [15 favorites]
Mayor Curley was right: Maine IS the dumbest state.
(Our governor recently told the NAACP to kiss his ass. That's like kicking the Dalai Lama in the shins.)
posted by dunkadunc at 5:07 PM on January 24, 2011
(Our governor recently told the NAACP to kiss his ass. That's like kicking the Dalai Lama in the shins.)
posted by dunkadunc at 5:07 PM on January 24, 2011
Not just arson, but arson deaths? That must be happening in the Pennsyltucky part of the state.
posted by fixedgear at 5:09 PM on January 24, 2011
posted by fixedgear at 5:09 PM on January 24, 2011
Also: Ohio is the "Nerdiest State"? Really? That's something to be PROUD of.
posted by dunkadunc at 5:09 PM on January 24, 2011 [4 favorites]
posted by dunkadunc at 5:09 PM on January 24, 2011 [4 favorites]
"35. Ohio: nerdiest state claim based on highest number of library visits per capita (6.9)"
Dur hur hur
And yay, more reasons to be hostile toward women who have abortions.
A one-sentence post with a link to a crap chart could be a good fit for Reddit, but not MetaFilter.
posted by Pruitt-Igoe at 5:13 PM on January 24, 2011 [2 favorites]
Dur hur hur
And yay, more reasons to be hostile toward women who have abortions.
A one-sentence post with a link to a crap chart could be a good fit for Reddit, but not MetaFilter.
posted by Pruitt-Igoe at 5:13 PM on January 24, 2011 [2 favorites]
We may have the highest cost of living, but we're tied with California - which means they secretly have two bad things. At least.
posted by Joey Michaels at 5:14 PM on January 24, 2011
posted by Joey Michaels at 5:14 PM on January 24, 2011
In my mind, having the highest corporate taxes (NH) would be a good thing - less tax burden for joe schmoe.
posted by notsnot at 5:14 PM on January 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by notsnot at 5:14 PM on January 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
More like BEST at Binge Drinking.
*Drowns sorrows with another beer*
posted by drezdn at 5:14 PM on January 24, 2011 [2 favorites]
*Drowns sorrows with another beer*
posted by drezdn at 5:14 PM on January 24, 2011 [2 favorites]
Wow, I'm from Ohio, and at least in Columbus we do have an excellent library system.
Apparently this analysis was sponsored by the Ohio Department of Development.
posted by demiurge at 5:14 PM on January 24, 2011 [2 favorites]
Apparently this analysis was sponsored by the Ohio Department of Development.
posted by demiurge at 5:14 PM on January 24, 2011 [2 favorites]
East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94: "Delaware is the oldest state."
The phrasing was deceptive: Iowa is the state with the highest percentage of people 85 and over.
posted by l33tpolicywonk at 5:14 PM on January 24, 2011
The phrasing was deceptive: Iowa is the state with the highest percentage of people 85 and over.
posted by l33tpolicywonk at 5:14 PM on January 24, 2011
Thats right Minnesota; be ashamed of your tornadoes.
posted by Felex at 5:15 PM on January 24, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by Felex at 5:15 PM on January 24, 2011 [2 favorites]
I'm very comfortable with Ohio being the nerdiest state.
posted by jscalzi at 5:16 PM on January 24, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by jscalzi at 5:16 PM on January 24, 2011 [2 favorites]
Yeah, looks like another one of those SEO-optimized infographics intended to get eyeballs pointed at ads. A pox upon such people, I swear.
posted by dunkadunc at 5:16 PM on January 24, 2011
posted by dunkadunc at 5:16 PM on January 24, 2011
TEXIS, FUK YEAH!
posted by punkfloyd at 5:17 PM on January 24, 2011 [5 favorites]
posted by punkfloyd at 5:17 PM on January 24, 2011 [5 favorites]
So what exactly does it mean to be "worst" at abortions? Are the doctors all butterfingers?
Pennsylvania gets that award. (Warning: not for the squeamish)
posted by schmod at 5:17 PM on January 24, 2011
Pennsylvania gets that award. (Warning: not for the squeamish)
posted by schmod at 5:17 PM on January 24, 2011
Really, being old is something to be ashamed of?
posted by blue mustard at 5:19 PM on January 24, 2011
posted by blue mustard at 5:19 PM on January 24, 2011
As a proud Massachusetts resident I would argue heavily that there is no way to truly quantify "worst drivers," but, alas, I got into a car accident this morning.
posted by missmary6 at 5:21 PM on January 24, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by missmary6 at 5:21 PM on January 24, 2011 [3 favorites]
Any insight on the South Dakota-Nebraska vortex of violence against women?
Actually, I read that in a sexist manner. It occurs to me that forcible rape and violence against women may both be more gender neutral than I initially thought.
posted by jabberjaw at 5:24 PM on January 24, 2011
Actually, I read that in a sexist manner. It occurs to me that forcible rape and violence against women may both be more gender neutral than I initially thought.
posted by jabberjaw at 5:24 PM on January 24, 2011
So what exactly does it mean to be "worst" at abortions? Are the doctors all butterfingers?
"8. Delaware: highest abortion rate (27 per 1,000 women aged 15 to 44)"
...
posted by Beardman at 5:25 PM on January 24, 2011
"8. Delaware: highest abortion rate (27 per 1,000 women aged 15 to 44)"
...
posted by Beardman at 5:25 PM on January 24, 2011
I used to roll my eyes when everyone told me how impressive it was that I graduated from high school in Texas. Now I realize that I fought against the odds.
Don't mess.
posted by SNWidget at 5:32 PM on January 24, 2011
Don't mess.
posted by SNWidget at 5:32 PM on January 24, 2011
Obama should talk about demanding each state to make these terms their official state motto appearing on their "Welcome to..." sign and license plates.
South Dakota
1 2 3 A B C
The Rape State
posted by birdherder at 5:35 PM on January 24, 2011
South Dakota
1 2 3 A B C
The Rape State
posted by birdherder at 5:35 PM on January 24, 2011
So what exactly does it mean to be "worst" at abortions? Are the doctors all butterfingers?
"8. Delaware: highest abortion rate (27 per 1,000 women aged 15 to 44)"
...
Oddly enough, Delaware's abortion rate rose dramatically between 2005 and 2007, if this data is to be believed. I wonder why that is. More abortion clinics reporting, or did something actually change in Delaware in that span?
posted by dd42 at 5:35 PM on January 24, 2011
"8. Delaware: highest abortion rate (27 per 1,000 women aged 15 to 44)"
...
Oddly enough, Delaware's abortion rate rose dramatically between 2005 and 2007, if this data is to be believed. I wonder why that is. More abortion clinics reporting, or did something actually change in Delaware in that span?
posted by dd42 at 5:35 PM on January 24, 2011
How can Washington be the worst at bestiality? Someone get Dan Savage on the phone immediately.
Dan Savage is for the liberal homosexualist sin city that is Seattle, not the god fearing folks of Enumclaw.
posted by Artw at 5:37 PM on January 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
Dan Savage is for the liberal homosexualist sin city that is Seattle, not the god fearing folks of Enumclaw.
posted by Artw at 5:37 PM on January 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
Kansas: poorest health based on highest average number of limited activity days per month (3.5 days)
To be fair, there is jackshit to do in this state. Hell, I'm close to KC, and all the good stuff is on the Missouri side.
posted by hellojed at 5:45 PM on January 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
To be fair, there is jackshit to do in this state. Hell, I'm close to KC, and all the good stuff is on the Missouri side.
posted by hellojed at 5:45 PM on January 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
I have serious doubts that anyone from the Daily Beast has been anywhere east of Passaic, let alone seen a North Dakotan. List disqualified.
posted by Ber at 5:51 PM on January 24, 2011
posted by Ber at 5:51 PM on January 24, 2011
Wisconsin, Arizona, and North Dakota need to get to know one another. Then they can get Montana to drive 'em to South Carolina and settle down.
posted by octobersurprise at 5:51 PM on January 24, 2011
posted by octobersurprise at 5:51 PM on January 24, 2011
I am not a Maine-iac, but I need to put in a word in Maine's defense: "Lowest SATs" is a remarkably crap metric to determine the "Dumbest" state.
"Lowest SATs" is more likely to mean: "State where the highest proportion of kids are encouraged to try for college".
(The choice of a better metric for deciding the "Dumbest state" is left as an exercise for the Metafilter crowd.)
But, to get the ball rolling - - How about: "Highest vote for George W. Bush after his disastrous first term" = "Dumbest State"? (Answer: Utah.)
Or How about: "Lowest book sales per capita"? Or "Lowest percentage of adults with advanced degrees"? (Sheesh, "Lowest SATs" is a crap metric....)
posted by AsYouKnow Bob at 5:51 PM on January 24, 2011
"Lowest SATs" is more likely to mean: "State where the highest proportion of kids are encouraged to try for college".
(The choice of a better metric for deciding the "Dumbest state" is left as an exercise for the Metafilter crowd.)
But, to get the ball rolling - - How about: "Highest vote for George W. Bush after his disastrous first term" = "Dumbest State"? (Answer: Utah.)
Or How about: "Lowest book sales per capita"? Or "Lowest percentage of adults with advanced degrees"? (Sheesh, "Lowest SATs" is a crap metric....)
posted by AsYouKnow Bob at 5:51 PM on January 24, 2011
D'oh, west of Passaic. What can I say, I'm from flyover country.
posted by Ber at 5:52 PM on January 24, 2011
posted by Ber at 5:52 PM on January 24, 2011
How can Washington be the worst at bestiality? Someone get Dan Savage on the phone immediately.
Not that I pay attention to such matters, but last I heard bestiality is not illegal in Washington but animal cruelty is. Basically you cant hurt an animal but you can make loovvvvvvvveeeeeeeee to it. As this link states, in one of the more famous cases, it's a cottage industry.
Having been to Enumclaw more than I care to admit, I can only think of 4 statues, 2 of horses one of a oxen and another is a war memorial. Enumclaw is an excellent example of why David Lynch makes movies about small time.
posted by I love you more when I eat paint chips at 5:53 PM on January 24, 2011 [2 favorites]
Not that I pay attention to such matters, but last I heard bestiality is not illegal in Washington but animal cruelty is. Basically you cant hurt an animal but you can make loovvvvvvvveeeeeeeee to it. As this link states, in one of the more famous cases, it's a cottage industry.
Having been to Enumclaw more than I care to admit, I can only think of 4 statues, 2 of horses one of a oxen and another is a war memorial. Enumclaw is an excellent example of why David Lynch makes movies about small time.
posted by I love you more when I eat paint chips at 5:53 PM on January 24, 2011 [2 favorites]
New Hampshire: highest rate of corporate taxes
everyone hates high corporate taxes amirite??
posted by DU at 5:59 PM on January 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
everyone hates high corporate taxes amirite??
posted by DU at 5:59 PM on January 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
I mean to say towns not time. I'm too used to being able to edit my posts.
posted by I love you more when I eat paint chips at 6:01 PM on January 24, 2011
posted by I love you more when I eat paint chips at 6:01 PM on January 24, 2011
Some of these shames are not so bad.
posted by CNNInternational at 6:01 PM on January 24, 2011
posted by CNNInternational at 6:01 PM on January 24, 2011
As a graduate of the University of Wisconsin - Madison, I'm not surprised by Wisconsin's thing.
posted by John Cohen at 6:02 PM on January 24, 2011
posted by John Cohen at 6:02 PM on January 24, 2011
"Ohio has the highest library usage, and that's somehow a bad thing?"
Haters gotta hate
But seriously, roads in Ohio are shit. Do you remember how in SimCity2000 if you reduced the TRANSPORTATION budget even a little bit you'd get REPEATED ALL CAPS WARNINGS from the very wise man in charge of it and then if you ignored him your city would go to hell and you would beg for mercy and give him anything he wanted? The Ohio electorate has clearly played an insufficient amount of SimCity2000 to run a successful state in the 21st century.
posted by Blasdelb at 6:03 PM on January 24, 2011 [3 favorites]
Haters gotta hate
But seriously, roads in Ohio are shit. Do you remember how in SimCity2000 if you reduced the TRANSPORTATION budget even a little bit you'd get REPEATED ALL CAPS WARNINGS from the very wise man in charge of it and then if you ignored him your city would go to hell and you would beg for mercy and give him anything he wanted? The Ohio electorate has clearly played an insufficient amount of SimCity2000 to run a successful state in the 21st century.
posted by Blasdelb at 6:03 PM on January 24, 2011 [3 favorites]
The 'robbery' tag for Illinois isn't so bad. It's just saying we take what's best from other states, and make them our own. Is that so bad?
/whistles innocently in a awkwardly bulging coat, slowly backing towards the exit...
posted by chambers at 6:04 PM on January 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
/whistles innocently in a awkwardly bulging coat, slowly backing towards the exit...
posted by chambers at 6:04 PM on January 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
Shame for most abortions? I think that's ridiculous. Shame for having the most children in poverty or shame for having unwanted and unwelcome children I can understand. But a state that has the most number of abortions suggests to me that there is better access to abortion services than in other states, which is important. Shame on the states that have the fewest abortion services and providers, and deny pregnant women the opportunity to truly weigh all of their options.
posted by anniecat at 6:05 PM on January 24, 2011 [19 favorites]
posted by anniecat at 6:05 PM on January 24, 2011 [19 favorites]
Somewhere in Idaho, a bunch of guys in camouflage jumpsuits with bibles sewn into their underwear are stroking the muzzles of their AK-47s and beaming with pride.
posted by koeselitz at 6:07 PM on January 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by koeselitz at 6:07 PM on January 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
How about "Delaware: Laxest financial regulations." Why do you think your credit card bill always has a Delaware return address?
posted by George_Spiggott at 6:07 PM on January 24, 2011
posted by George_Spiggott at 6:07 PM on January 24, 2011
So if I want to put my feet diagonally on the four corners, do I choose "Alcoholism" and "Cocaine Use"? or "Porn Usage" and "Anti-Social"?
posted by CNNInternational at 6:11 PM on January 24, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by CNNInternational at 6:11 PM on January 24, 2011 [2 favorites]
Everyone whose livelihood depends on being paid wages by a corporation, yes.
Nonsense, have you spoken to all of them? My livelihood has always depended on salaries or consulting fees paid by corporations, and I'm fine with them paying high taxes. For one thing, taxes encourage reinvestment over profit-taking, and reinvestment results in the activities I get paid to do. I don't wax yachts for a living, so I'm less warm toward the whole profit-taking thing.
posted by George_Spiggott at 6:19 PM on January 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
Nonsense, have you spoken to all of them? My livelihood has always depended on salaries or consulting fees paid by corporations, and I'm fine with them paying high taxes. For one thing, taxes encourage reinvestment over profit-taking, and reinvestment results in the activities I get paid to do. I don't wax yachts for a living, so I'm less warm toward the whole profit-taking thing.
posted by George_Spiggott at 6:19 PM on January 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
Ohio has the highest library usage, and that's somehow a bad thing?
Also, library usage doesn't necessarily correspond to nerdiness. People go to the library for CDs and DVDs. And I imagine more library usage correlates with less wealth.
posted by John Cohen at 6:20 PM on January 24, 2011
Also, library usage doesn't necessarily correspond to nerdiness. People go to the library for CDs and DVDs. And I imagine more library usage correlates with less wealth.
posted by John Cohen at 6:20 PM on January 24, 2011
So if I want to put my feet diagonally on the four corners, do I choose "Alcoholism" and "Cocaine Use"? or "Porn Usage" and "Anti-Social"?
I kinda think that all four go hand in hand, bro.
posted by NoMich at 6:20 PM on January 24, 2011
I kinda think that all four go hand in hand, bro.
posted by NoMich at 6:20 PM on January 24, 2011
Also surprisingly: this was posted by a Canuck.
("Canada: worst flannel")
posted by notsnot at 6:25 PM on January 24, 2011
("Canada: worst flannel")
posted by notsnot at 6:25 PM on January 24, 2011
A twister game in the making. Mix it with one of those Fisher-Price animal noise toys ("the cow says...moooo") and you've got the most depressing party game in years!
"Virginia has...Motorcycle Deaths... Left Hand!"
"Colorado has...Cocaine... Left Foot!"
posted by chambers at 6:29 PM on January 24, 2011
"Virginia has...Motorcycle Deaths... Left Hand!"
"Colorado has...Cocaine... Left Foot!"
posted by chambers at 6:29 PM on January 24, 2011
What the fuck, Seattle?
Pullman probably earns Washington that designation. . .you know, WSU, where men are men and sheep are scared.
posted by Danf at 6:30 PM on January 24, 2011
Pullman probably earns Washington that designation. . .you know, WSU, where men are men and sheep are scared.
posted by Danf at 6:30 PM on January 24, 2011
You definitely got Louisiana on "Gonorrhea." But I would have taken it a step further, because I hear we've got the highest incidence of Neurosyphilis, a disease not seen regularly since the advent of Penicillin.
posted by eustatic at 6:32 PM on January 24, 2011
posted by eustatic at 6:32 PM on January 24, 2011
@NoMich I laughed at that. But have to ask, by your math, do Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana, add up to Wyoming?
posted by CNNInternational at 6:34 PM on January 24, 2011
posted by CNNInternational at 6:34 PM on January 24, 2011
This is a fun idea, but I have a big beef with the execution. Most mobile homes is presumably bad because poor people are bad? And saying North Dakota has the ugliest residents seems just mean-spirited and subjective to me.
On the other hand, I'm tickled that I grew up in Fatal car crashes and now live in Worst drivers.
posted by rosa at 6:35 PM on January 24, 2011
On the other hand, I'm tickled that I grew up in Fatal car crashes and now live in Worst drivers.
posted by rosa at 6:35 PM on January 24, 2011
Indiana: rated the most environmentally unfriendly
Sounds about right.
Brought to you by your next President, Mitch Daniels. Or Mike Pence. Take your pick.
posted by Thorzdad at 6:36 PM on January 24, 2011
Sounds about right.
Brought to you by your next President, Mitch Daniels. Or Mike Pence. Take your pick.
posted by Thorzdad at 6:36 PM on January 24, 2011
I live in the state of binge drinking and I went to college in the state of drunk driving.
BRB, time for a beer.
posted by desjardins at 6:39 PM on January 24, 2011
BRB, time for a beer.
posted by desjardins at 6:39 PM on January 24, 2011
Charles Mudade put Washington State on the map.
posted by KokuRyu at 6:40 PM on January 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by KokuRyu at 6:40 PM on January 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
Actually in this context it was probably that dude who got fucked to death by a horse that put Washington State on the map, Mudede just madea documentary about it.
Also, in fairness to Enumclaw, nobody has died from being fucked by a horse there for at least 5 years now.
posted by Artw at 6:46 PM on January 24, 2011 [2 favorites]
Also, in fairness to Enumclaw, nobody has died from being fucked by a horse there for at least 5 years now.
posted by Artw at 6:46 PM on January 24, 2011 [2 favorites]
BONUS facts: Mississippi ranks last in the most number of categories. These include highest rate of child poverty (31.9 percent), highest rate of infant mortality (10.3 percent) lowest median household income ($35,078), highest teen birth rate (71.9 per 1,000 women aged 15 to 19) and highest overall rate of STDs.
Mississippi's 2010 in Review:
- Louis C.K. interview gets WHYY's Fresh Air banned in Mississippi
- Constance McMillen, Coy Sheppard, Juin Baize
- Haley Barbour
- Haley Barbour
posted by chinesefood at 6:49 PM on January 24, 2011
Mississippi's 2010 in Review:
- Louis C.K. interview gets WHYY's Fresh Air banned in Mississippi
- Constance McMillen, Coy Sheppard, Juin Baize
- Haley Barbour
- Haley Barbour
posted by chinesefood at 6:49 PM on January 24, 2011
Felex writes "Thats right Minnesota; be ashamed of your tornadoes."
Is this an anomaly of the reporting year or does Minnesota consistently have the most reported tornadoes annually? 'Cause when I think tornado I don't think Minnesota.
Beardman writes "
I don't know; sounds like they are pretty good at it.
posted by Mitheral at 6:50 PM on January 24, 2011
Is this an anomaly of the reporting year or does Minnesota consistently have the most reported tornadoes annually? 'Cause when I think tornado I don't think Minnesota.
Beardman writes "
So what exactly does it mean to be 'worst' at abortions? Are the doctors all butterfingers?"'8. Delaware: highest abortion rate (27 per 1,000 women aged 15 to 44)'"
I don't know; sounds like they are pretty good at it.
posted by Mitheral at 6:50 PM on January 24, 2011
I can't imagine why Wyoming has the most traffic fatalities.
Could it be the rampant drunk driving? The lack of seat belt use? The monotonous, winding rural highways? The fact that, at any given moment, you could crash and be three frickin' hours from the nearest hospital? Or perhaps the mega-fauna that like to wander into the roads. Wait, no, it's the blinding snow storms that happen nine months out of the year.
Gosh, I can't decide. MeFites, I kid you not.
posted by elder18 at 7:13 PM on January 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
Could it be the rampant drunk driving? The lack of seat belt use? The monotonous, winding rural highways? The fact that, at any given moment, you could crash and be three frickin' hours from the nearest hospital? Or perhaps the mega-fauna that like to wander into the roads. Wait, no, it's the blinding snow storms that happen nine months out of the year.
Gosh, I can't decide. MeFites, I kid you not.
posted by elder18 at 7:13 PM on January 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
Is this an anomaly of the reporting year or does Minnesota consistently have the most reported tornadoes annually?
If this page is to be believed we don't make the cut at all! That's right, Minnesotans have nothing to be ashamed of. We're just that nice.
posted by nanojath at 7:16 PM on January 24, 2011
If this page is to be believed we don't make the cut at all! That's right, Minnesotans have nothing to be ashamed of. We're just that nice.
posted by nanojath at 7:16 PM on January 24, 2011
Wouldn't a state that is ranked LAST in ugliest residents, actually be first in attractive people?
posted by Jazz Hands at 7:23 PM on January 24, 2011
posted by Jazz Hands at 7:23 PM on January 24, 2011
seems unfair to peg Maine as dumb since apparently the SAT is mandatory there. (Maine MeFites please corroborate or refute, cause I couldn't find much besides a blogspot mirror of a dead link)
posted by p3on at 7:24 PM on January 24, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by p3on at 7:24 PM on January 24, 2011 [2 favorites]
I don't know if we are best or worst at infertility, but as these thigns go it doesn't sound so terrible. Isn't a low birth rate an okay thing?
posted by jessamyn at 7:33 PM on January 24, 2011
posted by jessamyn at 7:33 PM on January 24, 2011
I think low birth rates are a-okay, but measuring fertility based on birth rate probably isn't.
Lots of these stats are kinda iffy--PA's arson deaths not being adjusted for population? Daily Beast polls?
(Also, I am disappointed that the best they could do for Arkansas was 'worst credit score.' How about driving while on drugs?)
posted by box at 7:51 PM on January 24, 2011
Lots of these stats are kinda iffy--PA's arson deaths not being adjusted for population? Daily Beast polls?
(Also, I am disappointed that the best they could do for Arkansas was 'worst credit score.' How about driving while on drugs?)
posted by box at 7:51 PM on January 24, 2011
We may be the most corrupt, but at least we're not the ugliest!
posted by Deflagro at 7:59 PM on January 24, 2011
posted by Deflagro at 7:59 PM on January 24, 2011
seems unfair to peg Maine as dumb since apparently the SAT is mandatory there....
posted by p3on at 10:24 PM on January 24
Thanks for finding that - that's exactly what I was guessing at above:
"Lowest SATs" is more likely to mean: "State where the highest proportion of kids are encouraged to try for college".
posted by AsYouKnow Bob at 8:13 PM on January 24, 2011
posted by p3on at 10:24 PM on January 24
Thanks for finding that - that's exactly what I was guessing at above:
"Lowest SATs" is more likely to mean: "State where the highest proportion of kids are encouraged to try for college".
posted by AsYouKnow Bob at 8:13 PM on January 24, 2011
Also, in fairness to Enumclaw, nobody has died from being fucked by a horse there for at least 5 years now.
You know, you can be the "gateway to Mount Rainier" for god knows how many years, but get impaled on a horse phallus just once...
I just love the idea that when most people hear "Enumclaw," they think horse fucking, if they think of it at all. God, to be a fly on the wall at the next CoC meeting after that went down...
posted by maxwelton at 8:23 PM on January 24, 2011 [3 favorites]
You know, you can be the "gateway to Mount Rainier" for god knows how many years, but get impaled on a horse phallus just once...
I just love the idea that when most people hear "Enumclaw," they think horse fucking, if they think of it at all. God, to be a fly on the wall at the next CoC meeting after that went down...
posted by maxwelton at 8:23 PM on January 24, 2011 [3 favorites]
Shame for most abortions? I think that's ridiculous.
Just depends on which angle you look at it from. It could indicate a lack of sex education and/or easy access to birth control. Ideally the rate of, non-medically necessary, abortions would be zero. It seems to me that preventing unwanted pregnancies would be preferable to terminating them.
posted by MikeMc at 8:35 PM on January 24, 2011 [2 favorites]
Just depends on which angle you look at it from. It could indicate a lack of sex education and/or easy access to birth control. Ideally the rate of, non-medically necessary, abortions would be zero. It seems to me that preventing unwanted pregnancies would be preferable to terminating them.
posted by MikeMc at 8:35 PM on January 24, 2011 [2 favorites]
I'm in OH tonight and approve of Ohioans airing their nerdy laundry.
posted by airing nerdy laundry at 8:42 PM on January 24, 2011
posted by airing nerdy laundry at 8:42 PM on January 24, 2011
Not just arson, but arson deaths? That must be happening in the Pennsyltucky part of the state.
I'm guessing Philadelphia, where it's popular to burn families to death to silence crime witnesses. Example.
No snitchin'!
posted by Slithy_Tove at 9:34 PM on January 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
I'm guessing Philadelphia, where it's popular to burn families to death to silence crime witnesses. Example.
No snitchin'!
posted by Slithy_Tove at 9:34 PM on January 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
37. Oregon: highest rate of long-term homeless people
But no cite? Or reference to where they got the numbers? From my time here, it's almost more that Oregon has the highest numbers of long-term homeless on record because it (mostly Portland) keeps track of them the most.
Its the same as Connecticut having the highest rate of breast cancer. Just because the state has the most numbers on breast cancer, are those numbers of fatilities or just early detected due to people having health insurance and going to doctors to get it taken care of and are now survivors?
In fact looking at the VERY LINKED SOURCE for Connecticut, it has lower than average death rates across the board for both breast and cervical cancer compared to every other state.
posted by mrzarquon at 9:44 PM on January 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
But no cite? Or reference to where they got the numbers? From my time here, it's almost more that Oregon has the highest numbers of long-term homeless on record because it (mostly Portland) keeps track of them the most.
Its the same as Connecticut having the highest rate of breast cancer. Just because the state has the most numbers on breast cancer, are those numbers of fatilities or just early detected due to people having health insurance and going to doctors to get it taken care of and are now survivors?
In fact looking at the VERY LINKED SOURCE for Connecticut, it has lower than average death rates across the board for both breast and cervical cancer compared to every other state.
posted by mrzarquon at 9:44 PM on January 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
I must rethink my tornado theories if the state of most tornadoes is not the state of most mobile homes...
posted by MuChao at 9:57 PM on January 24, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by MuChao at 9:57 PM on January 24, 2011 [3 favorites]
I know this is just supposed to be a silly chart, but Maine is most certainly not the dumbest state. The chart they link to shows that Maine has the highest SAT participation rate.
States with lower test participation rates get higher scores because only the best students take the test. In Maine the average and below average students take the test as well; presumably because the New England culture places a higher premium on education, and encourages everyone to extend their learning.
Maine is one of the better scoring states on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, while Southern states like Mississippi are consistently on the bottom.
posted by dgaicun at 12:23 AM on January 25, 2011
States with lower test participation rates get higher scores because only the best students take the test. In Maine the average and below average students take the test as well; presumably because the New England culture places a higher premium on education, and encourages everyone to extend their learning.
Maine is one of the better scoring states on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, while Southern states like Mississippi are consistently on the bottom.
posted by dgaicun at 12:23 AM on January 25, 2011
it's almost more that Oregon has the highest numbers of long-term homeless on record because it (mostly Portland) keeps track of them the most.
Right, this is kind of like the Maine thing. Sometimes when a statistic shows a region is "worst at X", it actually means the region is "best at X".
For example, if statistics show a low incidence of rape it could be because of good law enforcement and a progressive culture but it could just as well be because of bad law enforcement and a culture that stigmatizes reporting rape.
posted by dgaicun at 12:35 AM on January 25, 2011
Right, this is kind of like the Maine thing. Sometimes when a statistic shows a region is "worst at X", it actually means the region is "best at X".
For example, if statistics show a low incidence of rape it could be because of good law enforcement and a progressive culture but it could just as well be because of bad law enforcement and a culture that stigmatizes reporting rape.
posted by dgaicun at 12:35 AM on January 25, 2011
I knew it would be bestiality. I'm just happy it wasn't "serial murder."
posted by Neofelis at 1:14 AM on January 25, 2011
posted by Neofelis at 1:14 AM on January 25, 2011
Also, to hell with anyone who thinks "obesity" is morally equivalent to "drunk driving." Etc. And all that other stuff people said.
posted by Neofelis at 1:20 AM on January 25, 2011
posted by Neofelis at 1:20 AM on January 25, 2011
I've seen the RI statistic for drug use before, and no. Just... no. You'd be tripping over dealers on the way to the mailbox. When I was in college, yeah, one out of every ten people I knew was using some kind of drug regularly, but that was in college, which was in Florida. The partying'est school in the state is URI, which isn't that much of a party school, as it's on a tiny campus in the ass end of nowhere.
Unless there are entire communities of working adults who toke a bowl with their morning wheaties and shoot up before bedtime, the stat is more indicative of a RI resident's inclination to fuck with pollsters.
posted by Slap*Happy at 4:17 AM on January 25, 2011
Unless there are entire communities of working adults who toke a bowl with their morning wheaties and shoot up before bedtime, the stat is more indicative of a RI resident's inclination to fuck with pollsters.
posted by Slap*Happy at 4:17 AM on January 25, 2011
So, let's see ... I was born and raised in Taxes, but moved at the age of 13 to Unemployment, where I also went to college. After that, I departed for Worst Drivers, and stayed there until I followed by sweetheart to Alcoholism. We left there when she got a job in Cost of Living. We live out of the country at the moment, but she does have another job interview coming up in Binge Drinking.
I've been everywhere, man
Across the deserts bare, man
I've breathed the mountain air, man
Of travel I've had my share, man
I've been everywhere
Been to Dumbest State, Corporate Taxes, Worst Drivers, Drug Use,
Daily Commute, Breast Cancer, Arson, Taxes, Abortion, AIDS,
Motorcycle Deaths, Most Sickly, Identity Theft, Corruption,
Nerdiest State, Least Green State, Unemployment, Binge Drinking,
Corruption, Robbery, Oldest State, Bankruptcy,
Violence on Females, Poorest Health, Worst Credit Score, Female Criminals,
High School Graduation, Antisocial, Cocaine Use, Alcoholism,
Porn Usage, Crime, Air Pollution, Homeless Population,
Bestiality, Cost of Living, I've been everywhere.
posted by kyrademon at 4:27 AM on January 25, 2011 [5 favorites]
I've been everywhere, man
Across the deserts bare, man
I've breathed the mountain air, man
Of travel I've had my share, man
I've been everywhere
Been to Dumbest State, Corporate Taxes, Worst Drivers, Drug Use,
Daily Commute, Breast Cancer, Arson, Taxes, Abortion, AIDS,
Motorcycle Deaths, Most Sickly, Identity Theft, Corruption,
Nerdiest State, Least Green State, Unemployment, Binge Drinking,
Corruption, Robbery, Oldest State, Bankruptcy,
Violence on Females, Poorest Health, Worst Credit Score, Female Criminals,
High School Graduation, Antisocial, Cocaine Use, Alcoholism,
Porn Usage, Crime, Air Pollution, Homeless Population,
Bestiality, Cost of Living, I've been everywhere.
posted by kyrademon at 4:27 AM on January 25, 2011 [5 favorites]
New York: Longest commute? That's the best... I mean worst New York can do? I am disappoint.
posted by Decani at 4:35 AM on January 25, 2011
posted by Decani at 4:35 AM on January 25, 2011
Columbus libraries might be cool, but Cincinnati libraries are the best:
For the fifth consecutive time our Library has been ranked among the ten best public libraries among those serving a population of more than 500,000.
posted by Mick at 5:39 AM on January 25, 2011
For the fifth consecutive time our Library has been ranked among the ten best public libraries among those serving a population of more than 500,000.
posted by Mick at 5:39 AM on January 25, 2011
How bad are those drivers in Massachusetts?
Let's just say that Boston has a very good public transportation system and you don't need to see any of the rest of the state.
/sent from my cellphone while barreling down I-90 at 85 mph with three feet of snow on the roof of the car and the lights off
posted by backseatpilot at 5:53 AM on January 25, 2011 [1 favorite]
Let's just say that Boston has a very good public transportation system and you don't need to see any of the rest of the state.
/sent from my cellphone while barreling down I-90 at 85 mph with three feet of snow on the roof of the car and the lights off
posted by backseatpilot at 5:53 AM on January 25, 2011 [1 favorite]
mrzarquon: not to mention that the link is presenting breast cancer as shameful. Maybe they should have gone with "50 states and their hastily researched outlying statistics?"
posted by jtron at 7:04 AM on January 25, 2011
posted by jtron at 7:04 AM on January 25, 2011
/sent from my cellphone while barreling down I-90 at 85 mph with three feet of snow on the roof of the car and the lights off
I'm just gonna go ahead and hate you right now, m'kay?
posted by grubi at 7:18 AM on January 25, 2011
I'm just gonna go ahead and hate you right now, m'kay?
posted by grubi at 7:18 AM on January 25, 2011
In New Jersey, it's widely acknowledged that all of the asshole drivers are from New York.
In New York, everyone knows all of the asshole drivers are from Connecticut.
In Connecticut, it's stone cold fact the asshole drivers are from Rhode Island.
In RI, we all know it's the Massholes.
In Massachusetts, they try to blame the Canadians, usually after making a right hand turn from the left lane with the left blinker on.
In their defense, the roads are basically asphalt slapped down on every cow path, game trail and worn spot in the grass. This results in things like a seven way intersection, with only a blinking yellow light and a yield sign someone ran over as traffic control. In that kind of environment, being a good and conscientious driver will get you killed dead.
posted by Slap*Happy at 7:43 AM on January 25, 2011 [2 favorites]
In New York, everyone knows all of the asshole drivers are from Connecticut.
In Connecticut, it's stone cold fact the asshole drivers are from Rhode Island.
In RI, we all know it's the Massholes.
In Massachusetts, they try to blame the Canadians, usually after making a right hand turn from the left lane with the left blinker on.
In their defense, the roads are basically asphalt slapped down on every cow path, game trail and worn spot in the grass. This results in things like a seven way intersection, with only a blinking yellow light and a yield sign someone ran over as traffic control. In that kind of environment, being a good and conscientious driver will get you killed dead.
posted by Slap*Happy at 7:43 AM on January 25, 2011 [2 favorites]
If they think Wisconsin feels any shame about binge drinking, clearly they have never been to Wisconsin.
posted by quin at 8:23 AM on January 25, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by quin at 8:23 AM on January 25, 2011 [3 favorites]
dunkadunc: "(Our governor recently told the NAACP to kiss his ass. That's like kicking the Dalai Lama in the shins.)"
Aw man. I had almost succeeded in forgetting that!
Grumble, grumble, Maine has no recall provision, grumble.
posted by that's candlepin at 9:48 AM on January 25, 2011
Aw man. I had almost succeeded in forgetting that!
Grumble, grumble, Maine has no recall provision, grumble.
posted by that's candlepin at 9:48 AM on January 25, 2011
I first read this as saying Minnesota was worst in tomatoes. I couldn't figure out why anyone would even try to grow tomatoes in Minnesota.
posted by QIbHom at 12:26 PM on January 25, 2011
posted by QIbHom at 12:26 PM on January 25, 2011
Here's why I grow tomatoes in Minnesota.
I hate January.
posted by norm at 12:48 PM on January 25, 2011 [1 favorite]
I hate January.
posted by norm at 12:48 PM on January 25, 2011 [1 favorite]
I find it hard to believe that the drunk driving state is not the worst driving state. How bad are those drivers in Massachusetts?
Rhode Island drivers are actually a lot worse, from experience, but I guess we just don't have the stats to back it up.
Just a f'rinstance here: It is a commonly held belief that the person turning left at an intersection has the right of way. And also, does not have to use a turn signal. In fact, the existence of the turn signal is entirely mythical.
Not just one or two jackholes doing this. Entire states. Any day you drive in the greater PVD/Boston area and don't die is a good day.
Also: passing on the right, especially in the break-down lane... well, you'd be hard pressed to find a MA/RI driver who can identify that as "wrong."
posted by sonika at 3:29 PM on January 25, 2011
Rhode Island drivers are actually a lot worse, from experience, but I guess we just don't have the stats to back it up.
Just a f'rinstance here: It is a commonly held belief that the person turning left at an intersection has the right of way. And also, does not have to use a turn signal. In fact, the existence of the turn signal is entirely mythical.
Not just one or two jackholes doing this. Entire states. Any day you drive in the greater PVD/Boston area and don't die is a good day.
Also: passing on the right, especially in the break-down lane... well, you'd be hard pressed to find a MA/RI driver who can identify that as "wrong."
posted by sonika at 3:29 PM on January 25, 2011
I find it hard to believe that the drunk driving state is not the worst driving state.
Here's the thing - to get anywhere in Montana you have to drive a lot. It's not unusual to drive 40 miles just to go to dinner. But there's no traffic. Ever. So you can be a really shitty driver and it doesn't matter, because you might not see another car for 100 miles. You just have to not actually run off the road and you're good. Unless there's a cow on the road, which is a real possibility for much of the state.
I am pretty sure that if the statistic was calculated as "number of drunk driving deaths per trip taken," Wisconsin would be #1.
posted by desjardins at 5:54 PM on January 25, 2011
Here's the thing - to get anywhere in Montana you have to drive a lot. It's not unusual to drive 40 miles just to go to dinner. But there's no traffic. Ever. So you can be a really shitty driver and it doesn't matter, because you might not see another car for 100 miles. You just have to not actually run off the road and you're good. Unless there's a cow on the road, which is a real possibility for much of the state.
I am pretty sure that if the statistic was calculated as "number of drunk driving deaths per trip taken," Wisconsin would be #1.
posted by desjardins at 5:54 PM on January 25, 2011
Also: passing on the right, especially in the break-down lane... well, you'd be hard pressed to find a MA/RI driver who can identify that as "wrong."Now I am pretty strong against the death penalty and all but people who drive in the break-down lane during traffic slowdowns etc should be given the mazzatello.
posted by jtron at 8:41 AM on January 26, 2011
people who drive in the break-down lane during traffic slowdowns etc should be given the mazzatello.
When traffic is really bad on I-90 (The Mass Turnpike), the breakdown lane literally becomes another whole lane. Of cars who aren't going anywhere. I swear they'd go one step over to the right and drive on the grass if not for the barriers. You and your mallet would be pretty busy.
posted by sonika at 11:58 AM on January 26, 2011
When traffic is really bad on I-90 (The Mass Turnpike), the breakdown lane literally becomes another whole lane. Of cars who aren't going anywhere. I swear they'd go one step over to the right and drive on the grass if not for the barriers. You and your mallet would be pretty busy.
posted by sonika at 11:58 AM on January 26, 2011
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posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 5:02 PM on January 24, 2011 [5 favorites]