Peoples & Things Beth Linker on Slouch: Posture Panic in Modern America
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Jun 2, 2025 Beth Linker, a historian and professor at the University of Pennsylvania, dives into her book, Slouch: Postural Panic in Modern America. She links posture to historical issues like racism and eugenics, revealing surprising connections. The conversation critiques misconceptions around posture and the stigma of 'slouch shaming.' Linker also explores the American Posture League's founding and its influence on health perceptions. She reflects on evolving physical therapy practices and hints at her next projects focusing on disability and healthcare narratives.
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Posture Reflects Deep Historical Themes
- The concept of "perfect posture" connects to deep historical themes like eugenics, racism, and Cold War fears.
- Posture ideas reflect broader societal anxieties about health, civilization, and race.
Beth Linker's Path to Slouch
- Beth Linker trained as a physical therapist and transitioned to history through interests in medical ethics.
- Discovering posture's role in disability and military fitness sparked her book Slouch.
Posture as Evolutionary and Moral Symbol
- Upright posture was historically associated with godliness and human superiority.
- Darwin's evolutionary theory emphasized upright walking predating higher cognitive abilities, amplifying posture's cultural importance.