Sometimes things happen that are a wee bit eerie and make us wonder. That very thing happened to me this past week.
I was reading the Google News in the AM and saw a headline that made me shake my head in wonder. It was about new scientific study on why shoelaces come untied. HUH?? REALLY??
I didn't bother to read it and scanned further down the page for news with more substance. After all, I could not remember the last time my shoelaces came untied. Maybe I was six years old if it happened at all. Did this phenomenon actually deserve a study?? Who pays for these ridiculous studies??
Later in the day I went shopping. As I walked through the store, my shoe felt funny and I looked down. Low and behold, my left shoe was untied and the laces flopped about tauntingly. No way! This NEVER happens to me. I was feeling a bit spooked.
I decided the Gods of Physics must be having fun with me for my arrogance earlier. With a slightly red face and feeling a little childlike, I retied my shoes and resumed my shopping.
After lunch that same day, I was taking my "instead of dessert" walk when I got that loose shoe feeling again. In total disbelief, I noticed that now my right shoe was undone. You have to be kidding! I was incredulous--both shoes in the same day after a perfect record for 70 years.? This could not be happening.
I had tied my shoes that day long before seeing the headline so it wasn't power of suggestion that made me tie my shoelaces differently that morning.
Boy I must have really ticked off the Gods of Physics by snubbing the study. I am blaming some mischievous little elves on Physics' payroll who tugged on the long end of my laces. They must have felt I needed slapped around a little for being so dismissive. OK, I get it.
So far that oddity has not reoccurred though I must say I have been a bit more attentive tying my laces.
Do you have trouble with shoelaces?? Do you think this scientific study was necessary when we have so many demanding problems that could put scientific minds to better use? Or are you grateful this problem has finally been addressed?
That is funny. My shoes do come untied often. So often that I got the plastic slide clips that keep the from getting loose. Without them, I'd be retying my shoes 4-5 times a day. It's such a problem for runners that they sell a lot of these gadgets.
ReplyDeleteThe study does sound flaky on the surface but studying things like bugs have led to some pretty important advancement in aircraft and space travel so I don't question the hunch that a shoelace study could lead to an understanding of why our DNA breaks down and thus lead to a prevention for genetic abnormalities.
What's funny is that just reading the study worked to under mind your shoelaces abilities. LOL
Jean R,
DeleteMy goodness, seems like this study had you in mind. Lets hope some further benefit comes from the shoelace study. No reason why it can't.
Ha Ha! So glad we've got the "research" behind this burning question of why shoelaces become untied :-)
ReplyDeleteI had a pair of sneaker that drove me nuts, because the laces alway came undone. Finally figured out the laces were "slippery". No kidding! Replaced them with normal laces and problem solved.
Thanks for my Monday morning chuckle Patti!
Carole,
DeleteNow I have heard of slippery shoelaces. Loved your reference to the "burning question".
I double tie my running shoes when I'm out with the ladies, but I'll be keeping an eye on my regular ones. You've now planted the idea that they might try some funny stuff! :-)
ReplyDeleteDjan,
DeleteHa ha, be on guard. They are capable of "funny stuff":))
I usually double knot my laces to prevent them from coming undone.
ReplyDeleteStephen,
DeleteBut if you didn't, they would? I am surprised at the depth of this affliction.
Regardless of the conclusion, I see not value in such a study. I'm with the formerly chubby artist above me and double knot mine.
ReplyDeletejoeh,
DeleteWow, I am amazed at the number of double knotters. Hey, what ever works.
For some strange reason, I've always had trouble with my laces coming undone, so I always double knot them. They might look stupid that way, but at least I don't have to worry about tripping over them! Now, I'm wondering how much was spent on that study that didn't really prove anything? :)
ReplyDeleteCheryl,
DeleteI am finding out with this post just how common a problem it is. Do not feel alone. Most seem comfortable with the double knot.
I know, these "studies" always make me wonder who is paying for them. Probably us.
As I was reading this, I was hoping you would go back and read the article and you would enlighten all of us. My laces are always dangling. But some laces seem more slippery than others. When I go for my long walks, I tie them in an extra bow.
ReplyDeleteWhen I had my arm in a cast this winter, I had those curly laces put in my shoes (don't know the name). You just pull them and they stay. I hated them. I'd rather go with the ties. I guess there is a lot of conversation in shoe laces. LOL
Belva,
DeleteI have seen those curly laces and wondered about them. I can see where they would be really handy for some one with difficulties tying their shoes. Hope you are back to the normal ones now.
Hah! I thought that it just happened to me. My shoelaces come untied unless I double knot them. Thank you for the link.
ReplyDeleterobin,
DeleteI am really amazed at how common a problem this is. Now I am wondering what I have been doing differently all these years.
Hi There, I just laughed and laughed... You did get bomboozled.....Those mean ole gods were zapping you bigtime!!!!!!!! Love this post!
ReplyDeleteI constantly see and read about how so much of our Govt's money (OUR TAXES pay for this crap) is spent on stupid studies such as this... Drive me nutty! And it is never just a tiny bit of money spent on these studies. LOTS of money is spent doing this... GADS....
I hate to admit this but this started when my kids were little. I would double-knot their shoes so that they'd stay tied... AND--I started double-knotting mine also and still do to this day... SO---no problem with untied shoe laces here... ha ha
Hugs,
Betsy
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DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteBetsy,
DeleteHa ha, I was beginning to feel picked on by those rascally critters. I am totally amazed at the large number of double knotters. Mine just stay tied the normal way--except when I irritate those Gods of Physics:))
Took me three tries to get this right:)
Hahaha I think it was tiny trolls that wanted you to take notice of their undeniable force to make you bend over twice in one day. There is excercise in that too.
ReplyDeleteHeidrun,
DeleteI am agreeing with you. They came out of nowhere to follow me around for the day. They sure were persistent:))
This is not a problem for me since I go barefoot!!
ReplyDeleteFran,
DeleteSmart. Barefoot or sandals solve the problem completely.
Yes I do. Good old cotton shoe laces usually don't come untied. I have slippery synthetic things on my tennies that come undone all the time.....even if they are double tied.
ReplyDeleteMage,
DeleteOk then. That solves it. Let's banish those slippery laces. Begone ye foul ties!
I tried to find out how much this study cost but all I could find out is who paid for it and the funding came from a Chancellor's Fellowship from the University of California at Berkeley. For laughs you can see the detailed study at: http://rspa.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/473/2200/20160770#sec-12 It was presented to the Royal Society of Mathematics, Physical and Engineering Sciences
ReplyDeleteJean R,
DeleteThank you so much for doing the extra credit. I read it and it seems inadvertently I am making a strong tie as apposed to a weak one. Don't ask me what the difference is. Good to know such great minds worked on this:))
What a strange coincidence!
ReplyDeleteActually I do have trouble with shoelaces coming untied, more so all the time than I used to. I attribute it to arthritic hands and shoelaces that are round and of a different structure than they used to be in the good old days. When I am out walking I always double knot them.
Linda R,
DeleteIt really was a bizarre day and hasn't happened again. Double seems to be the solution of choice though I just learned in that piece Jean found that it is the difference between a granny know--not good--and a square know--good.
I can't say it happens often, but my shoe (one or the other) does come untied occasionally. I've never really thought about the why...nor do I feel it is necessary for a study. I just find a spot to stop and tie them up again.
ReplyDeleteFunny it happened twice in one day...the shoelace gods must have been laughing.
Eileen,
DeleteThey were working me over for sure and I am sure if I had listened closely, I'd have heard the laughing.
Funny, because I heard a piece n NPR, must have been Science Friday, with an interview with a woman who had done a study -- actually doing video recording of shoe laces as subjects walked or ran on treadmills to see the mechanics of how shoes came untied. I had the same reaction -- really? Someone pays you to do this?
ReplyDeleteShe also said most people tie their shoes wrong, but I didn't hear hear explain how o do it correctly.
Olga,
DeleteWhat I got from the article Jean referred to is that the wrong way is using a granny knot and the right way is to use a square knot. I'd need a boy scout to explain the difference to me.
Oh good grief! Now that you've mentioned it, I'll bet I'll be looking down at my shoe laces all day.
ReplyDeleteGranted, I've caught my Zumba teacher with her laces undone and I have to wave at her so she doesn't trip. Hmmmm...
Kay,
DeleteOops, sorry about that. Hope they don't go astray on you. Don't think I'd want to do Zumba with floppy laces. Good of you to catch it.
I think you are on to something, it definitely could be little elves I believe they could be cousins to the gremlins that tie knots in our strands of Christmas lights.
ReplyDeleteThis study was on our morning news, the newscaster even made a comment of how he thought it a waste of money.
Jimmy,
DeleteThanks for stopping by and commenting, Welcome. Pretty sure they share the same gene pool. They do love to cause havoc.
This was so funny sweet Patti. The only time I have a problem with shoe laces coming untied are when they are made of slick material or they are too short to double tie. Now for knots I don't know how to make but one knot...therefore the double tie works fine for me. As for studies I think there are far too many frivolous studies done, especially those that use our tax dollars. It is quite a simple thing to figure out why your shoe laces come untied in my opinion. I am glad this study was done though so I could laugh and enjoy reading your post. Hugs
ReplyDeleteMaggie,
DeleteHa ha, pretty sure the only thing I got out of it was post material. Wonder what it cost us.
I do not own a pair of shoes with laces. It is bad enough that I trip on throw rugs. Just imagine me trying to walk without tripping over my flopping shoe laces? I do believe that your shoes are haunted.
ReplyDeleteAnnie,
ReplyDeleteWell you are totally unaffected by the study along with Fran who goes barefoot.
I think you are right. There was definitely something paranormal going on.
Yes, I do sometime have trouble with my shoelaces. I seldom wear laced shoes because I find them uncomfortable. I do double tie the laces if I'm walking in laced shoes, but they will come undone at times. I thought it was because they would keep hitting my pant legs.
ReplyDeleteI saw the article too, but I didn't read it. Now, I'll go back and read it. I remember my father trying to teach me to tie shoes. He had a system he had been taught where he would make two loops and then do a sort of square knot. I never could replicate his complicated shoe tying lesson. He said it would keep me from tripping on my shoe laces and falling.
Sally,
DeleteYour dad was right about the square knot. Evidently that is the key to success. My brother was a boy scout and taught me so I guess I have been using the square knot all my life. Thanks Jack.
It's a common & dangerous problem for me. Not as serious as my falling down the basement steps but no scientific research is needed for me. Being easily distracted & not a multi-tasker....:(
ReplyDeleteTB,
DeleteOuch that sounds painful. Hope you double knot from now on.
I have several pairs of shoes that always come untied. I need no scientific study, though. I know it's a two-sided problem---the laces themselves and the fact that with these particular shoes, the cuff of my jeans hits the exact place where the knot is. So for these shoes I do as most others have mentioned. I double-knot the laces. Problem solved.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn.
ReplyDeleteThat does seem to be the solution of choice and I am glad it works for you. I always have a problem with too long of laces and always have to buy a shorter pair. Why do they make them sooooo long?
Well, look at it this way ... it was good fodder for a blog entry !! You always have interesting things to say.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many stupid, useless studies being done by our government- but yep, the other day my left shor untied itself twice in one day at the grocery store. It's hard enough to bend down with my kness, and even harder to stand back up. But I blame my shoe typing skills...and wonder secretly if this is why I wear those pull on shoes (Bobs, Sketchers, WM)??
ReplyDelete