Jan 22 2013
Tuesday News: The sobering statistics surrounding our veterans; Kindle rentals; GQ segregates hotness by race
Charts: Suicide, PTSD and the Psychological Toll on America’s Vets – Mother Jones has complied statistics to create an infographic on the terrible mental toll that the war has taken (and is currently taking and will be taking) on our soldiers. The mental disorders often translate into negative physical outcomes. Veterans make up 7% of the US population but account for 20% of its suicides. Mother Jones
Amazon Kindle ebook rentals take the time out of reading – Slashgear believes that Amazon may be testing out rental of books on the down low. It points to the sale page of “Theories of International Politics and Zombies” which has a rental option. Textbooks have been available for rent on Kindle for some time but the International Politics and Zombies book is a book of humor although it is published by Princeton University Press. Additional research shows other Princeton University Press books
GQ’s Sexiest Women List Includes ‘Hottest Chinese Chick’ and ‘Hottest Indian Chick’ – Non white women get their own special category of hotness according to GQ magazine who itemized the Hottest Indian Chick and Hottest Chinese Chick separately from the mainstream hot chicks. These Asian chicks were placed in the same sub categories as the hottest blue chicks and the hottest pregnant Sri Lankan. I guess I can’t blame those poor college boys who think that Asians have something special going on downstairs when we are placed in the same listing as blue cartoon characters. Jezebel
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Jan 22, 2013 @ 07:56:01
As the world sinks further and further into WTH-ness. First chicks? Really? Are we in a 60′s commune somewhere and no one told the rest of us? Second Chinese==blue in sexiness?
The suicide rates, I’d seen those before and there’s just nothing to say except that how (as an society) we treat our veterans is downright shameful. We send them into horrible situations in places that quite honestly probably resemble Hell and then we welcome them home with a handshake and a parade before we ship them either a.) back to hell or b.) home so they can shut up about it. It’s just shameful.
Jan 22, 2013 @ 08:38:46
I heard about that GQ list of “Hot Chicks” last week. What makes it even worse is that it’s the same issue with Beyonce on the cover. In the interview she says this: “I truly believe that women should be financially independent from their men. And let’s face it: Money gives men the power to run the show. It gives men the power to define value. They define what’s sexy. And men define what’s feminine. It’s ridiculous.”
And then GQ printed that ridiculous list in the same issue. I just don’t get it.
Jan 22, 2013 @ 11:29:40
My son returned from Afghanistan last spring. Still waiting to hear if he’s going back this year. He’s a 22 year old infantryman. My and my husband’s biggest fear was how he would adjust to being back. Luckily my son was open about how hard it was to adjust to the lack of constant adrenaline and I think talking to us about it with no stigma or fear helped. Some of his friends did not fare so well upon their return. My husband and I are both veterans so we get the culture, but we served during Desert Storm which was nothing like this. And so I wonder and worry still today about the future impact.
Jan 22, 2013 @ 12:32:40
The thing about the suicide rates is….
Men have 3-4 x the suicide rate of women. And most vets are men. (90%+) So what proportion of this is due solely to gender?
Not to say that vets are not facing significant problems. But I don’t think the suicide stats are very meaningful without being split by gender, and they usually aren’t presented as such.
Jan 22, 2013 @ 16:45:05
I’m not sure that PTSD and related ills are more common now than they were for earlier vets, but there’s a name for it now. In the past, it was more like, “Oh, that’s just Harry. He’s been a little weird ever since he came back from the army.”
Not sure suicide is more common either, since it used to be covered up whenever possible.
I’m not saying the way veterans are treated isn’t dreadful, just that I’m not convinced that recent wars are any worse than earlier ones were. (Of course, pre-20th century, the wounded were far more likely to die. That would cut down on the number of survivors with PTSD.)