SHOES...

Sunday, December 6. 2009

Fenton and I are back at Beige after spending the weekend at home decorating Tree. She puts a great deal of effort into her appearance, which leads me to wonder if she’s unusual in that regard or if other trees are similarly inclined but just aren’t able to express themselves. I especially wonder about deciduous trees and their gaudy fall colors.
Danielle created shoes for Francis to wear, which makes sense. During the brief time that Fenton and I were in the human world, buying shoes was one of the first things we did. If we had stayed for any length of time our bare feet would have developed protective callouses, but that wouldn’t have solved the cultural problem. All of the humans that we encountered wore shoes, and we didn’t want to stand out more than we probably did. “Look at that couple! They’re eating crickets! And they’re not wearing shoes!”
On this side of the portal the only shoe-wearing species is the horse, and purely for protective purposes. The idea of wearing them as ornamentation doesn’t exist here, probably because with all of our fur we have so many other ways of expressing vanity.
I’m not immune from that. Tonight I’m going to find out what it’s like for someone to decorate me.
So, what kind of shoes do you humans wear?

Posted by Lindesfarne at 13:00 | Comments (40) | Trackbacks (0)

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Uhhh... when did Lindesfarne and Fenton go to the human world? I remember Ki and Nick from GPF visiting, but not the reverse.

#1 MCbastos on 2009-12-06 13:16 (Reply)

It must of happened offscreen. I mean the webcomic can't show us everything that happens to the Dewclaw clan, some stuff gets left out of the author's tapping into their universe (I think that's how they explain how fictionalized acounts of events in other universes works (I'm going by the explanation in that one episode from Justice League, you know the one)). Then agien, I do want to hear the whole story behind that adventure.

#1.1 Alex on 2009-12-06 16:34 (Reply)

It's covered in the bonus strips within "Oh, the Humanity!" Lindy and Fenton went thru the portal to learn more about her origins.

#1.2 Classic Steve (Link) on 2009-12-06 20:06 (Reply)

Personally, I'm more parsial to sandles, basicly the bare minimum of what a shoe is. Of course, since I live near Chicago, which gets a lot of snow durring the winter, I do have to wear gym shoes for half the year. Since I have never been good with tieing, I usually just put the laces under my feet so I don't trip ovr them.

#2 Alex on 2009-12-06 13:38 (Reply)

I'm NOT going to ask about you being decorated!

As for shoes, they vary massively, depending on the situation. The most common 'dress' shoes are made of leather, usually dyed black or brown. They cover the entire foot, up to just below the ankle. The most common 'casual' shoes here in the US are referred to as 'sneakers'. Instead of being entirely leather, their soles (the part that actually contacts the ground) are made of a rubber compound. They are usually more comfortable and are often worn in sports. (I think they got the name 'sneakers' because they are quieter than dress shoes.)

Women often wear shoes with 'high heels.' These have extended pieces which elevate the heel of the foot. It makes women (who are usually shorter than males) appear taller. There may also be an aspect of being more attractive to males in that it causes the leg muscles to be 'tighter'. I cannot imagine that they are comfortable in any way: Walking around on tip-toe all day cannot be good for you... (unless you are evolved to it).

There are sandals of various types. These are basically soles with as little else as possible, just enough straps or whatever to keep them on the foot. This may be as small as a strap across the toes or a simple set of straps that loop around the ankle. Japanese sandals (called 'getta', I think) are sandals as I've described them, but with two blocks on the bottom of the sole. This may have been a development back when roads were unpaved and quite muddy.

One minor point: while eating crickets is uncommon, it's not unknown for humans to eat insects. They aren't our preferred source of protein here in the US, but it happens quite often in other parts of the world.

#3 CharlieG on 2009-12-06 13:51 (Reply)

Re. eating insects: One rather trendy product for sale is chocolate-covered ants. You'd probably like them, Lindy. They cluster a bunch of dead ants together and pour hot, melted chocolate on top of them. when it cools, you got yourself a nice crunchy, chocolaty blob.

#3.1 Mortar on 2009-12-06 21:30 (Reply)

Mmmm....Chocolate covered ants. Mainly sold at movie concessions.

#3.1.1 Lindesfarne Dewclaw on 2009-12-07 02:01 (Reply)

Shoe wearing is not universal. In warmer climes humans often go barefoot. There are risks beyond cuts, puncture wounds, and infection. Hookworms is one. It's noteworthy that many cultures have invented forms of sandals - soles that strap directly to the feet.

The type of footwear varies. Insulated shoes and boots are common in cold environments. Rubber boots are handy when constantly exposed to moisture. OTOH, sweating can lead to fungal infections, so breathability is important. There's fabrics that allow warm water vapor to wick away from the skin while at the same time giving a degree of moisture protection. Some designs allow ventilation without compromising protection.

Protection remains the primary function of shoes for most of us. Steel toed shoes to protect from crushing injuries, along with metacarpal guards for some work. Some shoes also have a steel shank in the sole to protect from puncture wounds.

It's common to find industry specific shoes. There's boots for linemen and loggers; boots geared specifically for hiking, shoes that are electrically conductive for work around microchips, shoes that are electrically insulated for work around electricity (for higher voltages you need special overshoes to protect against electrocution).

In jobs where function isn't as important as fashion, you find horribly uncomfortable shoes. Such has been the bane of women through the centuries. In our era, high-heel shoes do the most damage by forcing all the weight on the very ball of the foot as well as cramming the toes into a tiny space. Ironically, women seem to wear it more for the comments of other women. We males don't particularly care if a woman wears flat soles or high heels.

Due to the rise of synthetics, leather isn't as popular as in bygone days. Leather also requires special care compared to synthetics.

#4 Harry on 2009-12-06 13:52 (Reply)

I found it interesting that the shoes that force human woman to walk on the balls of their feet basically mimic how most non-human species walk on their paws.

#5 Lindesfarne Dewclaw on 2009-12-06 14:16 (Reply)

I noticed it as well. The fact that it seems to cause damage also seems to be a theam. I'm no expert in biology, but wouldn't most of the weight beign concentrated to one area be a good thing? Otherwise, why would so manny species function like that?

#5.1 Bioman on 2009-12-06 14:57 (Reply)

"Digitgrade" I think our furry artists call it. (latin, "finger (in this case; toe) angle" I suppose), as opposed to plantigrade, which is heel-to-toe (minus the arch, if the subject has them) contact to the ground. I think at least Kevin has this, too.

Also, the human skeleton is not "perfect" for bipedalism, exactly. Walking is described more as "controlled continous falling" by scientists, and alot of people tend to have ankle/foot pains.

Humans will notice--- and probably humanoid furries, as well:
1. Sit with bare feet, keeping weight off feet.
2. put weight onto feet, slowly, as if to stand
3. observe the ankle; without weight, it is centered, but when weight is put on, the angle at the ankle fold inwards.

Obviously, this means that the force and weight is not going ideally down the foot, since it is shearing inwards. Pretty sure this is the root cause of most people who have sonreness/injury to their feet.
I think humans evolved too fast, or evolution is not "complete" for walking; the chimpanzees and other great apes (besides humans) who occasionally walk bipedaly sort of walk on the outer sides of their feet, which, interestingly, counteracts the same shearing effect they would have had.

Of course, a human can walk like that, too, but as they're not supoosed to, that "edge walk" is uncomfortable.

A good pair of shoes encourages the ankle to stay in alignment, without chafing the skin, of course.

#5.2 Xuncu (Link) on 2009-12-11 06:25 (Reply)

Yep, going without shoes for a human isn't too healthy. Maybe the tribal peoples in tropical areas have developed some partial immunity to parasites like hookworms, but humans in more developed regions don't.

Plus there are other problems. One might step on a sharp object or break a toe while running around barefoot.

I have a few pairs of shoes. One plain-looking pair for everyday use. A pair of steel-toed boots for work. A pair of shiny black shoes for church or going out to a party. Then an older pair of once-everyday shoes too worn out to still be used everyday, but not worn out enough to be thrown away, used for working in the dirt in the backyard.

Women in some countries, such as the US, have a reputation for having a lot of shoes. The extreme case was Emelda Marcos, the wife of the Philipine dictator, whom had thousands or pairs in a house-sized closet in their mansion, discovered when the couple fled the country.

High-heels, I remember reading somewhere they get a woman to stick her chest out slightly.

As for eating bugs, I think you heard this before, but about the only times you'll find people eating bugs here is the occasional "alternative" buffet which draws attention because of the chefs using unconventional items for food, such as spiders, mealworms, and bugs. Chocolate-covered insects used to be a novelty in Europe, and a few cans were imported here in the US, but I think that's no longer the case.

But Americans are among those who like to eat shellfish, which aren't too far away from insects biologically. Probably because bugs here are associated with dirt and filfth, which can harbor germs. In the past, epidemics could take a terrible toll on human populations, especially in cities. Tribal peoples don't always have problems eating insects, especially when they hunt more food than they raise.

#6 Bixyl Shuftan (Link) on 2009-12-06 14:53 (Reply)

Shoes that harm the wearer for fashion's sake have been around for centuries. However at least it's better than the foot-binding (yes, exactly how it sounds) that was dopne in some cultue to artificially make feet smaller, "daintier" and "more feminine". It sometimes ended up crippling the women in question.

Shoes for men nowadays are built around comfort. For women, it's still more about fashion. And fashion among women at that. It's less about attracting a mate than one-upping the competition. It's just one more arena where feminism is forcing women into male stereotypes...

As to eating insects, they tend to be a "survival food" in western cultures, something you'll only eat when you've no other choice. Survival manuals like the SAS Survival Guide list them among things you can find to eat relativey easily if you are lost in the wilderness. I am told that they are quite tasty, however I am not likely to find out (thankfully) as I live in relative wealth compared to other countries, residing as I do in the UK and being a nerdy gamer so I don't go into the wilderness. My loss, I suppose.

#7 Foxfax on 2009-12-06 17:26 (Reply)

From what I have read, high heels have two basic functions, both esthetic rather than practical.

The first is to make a woman's foot look smaller; the second, to alter her posture. When walking on her toes, a woman's stride is basically reduced; also, the effort of balancing makes her tend to arch her back and push her chest forward, producing an impression of sexual arousal.

But this is pretty benign, compared with the actual physical mutilation of women's feet to fit into a drastically undersized shoe, as was done in China as recently as the last century......

By the way, in Jewish culture, there are only three insects considered 'kosher': grasshoppers, crickets and locusts. I wonder if there are any Jewish insectivores on your side..... and do they have similar problems with dietary restrictions?

#8 LA/wts on 2009-12-06 17:54 (Reply)

I like sneakers for every day use. Dress shoes for other ocation. I hear some people like to wear platform shoes. They have soles from 2 to 6 inchs thick. I also heard that people in either the lift as high as 2 feet. Talk about ego trips. They had to hire 2 others to walk on both side of them to keep from falling down.

I too wantg to hear about the trip you made to the human side of the portal. I have seen every strip frok day one thru the magic of the archives without seeing it..

#9 Steven Brams on 2009-12-06 17:56 (Reply)

First tiem user over hear on the insect thing. Manny nations consider insects a standard part of their diet. For example, roasted spiders are a standard snack in Mongolia. Depending where you are, insects may be a standard, commonplace food. One anthropologist told the story of how, after a meal of grubworms, talked to the chief about hamburgers, and he found the idea of ground meat disgusting. It's all relative.

#10 Chris on 2009-12-06 18:24 (Reply)

unlike many ladies on earth, I only wear 3 pairs of shoes most of the time---black tennis shoes, leather sandals, or business like leather shoes (which finally wore out and I replaced on a recent trip). I usually have the leather sandals rebuilt every year by the Cobbler's Bench, in San Jose, California USA. I think, though, I'm on my last rebuild on this pair...(12 years old).

MLD

#11 MLD on 2009-12-06 22:51 (Reply)

me? i wear boots. not combat boots though a few members of my family group wear them just everyday run of the mill work boot.s i do believe that you have them in you world do you not?

#12 e_voyager on 2009-12-07 00:00 (Reply)

Normally I wear boots. You might have seen them in your visit here, but if not, they are thicker taller and more protective that the average shoe. My preferred style is an industrial knee-high variation on a black combat boot.

Do you have industrial or darkwave music over there? If so how do the rivetheads go through life without stompy boots?

#13 Ashley on 2009-12-07 00:36 (Reply)

Yes, that music is popular with species with hooves.

#13.1 Lindesfarne Dewclaw on 2009-12-07 01:43 (Reply)

I've never liked wearing shoes. One of the traits in my family is hot, sweaty feet, and none of us like to wear shoes.

Some countries have a custom where you take off your shoes where you enter a home, and some people also request that you do the same. Even though my family doesn't ask that guests remove their shoes, most people who visit my home do, simply because there is a pile of shoes by our front door where we all take ours off.

I would run around barefoot if I could, and usually do when I'm indoors. (Or, if it's cold, like today, I'll just wear socks, fabric tubes, usually knitted, that go between the feet the shoes that act as a cushion and wick moisture away from the foot.) I worry about parasites and injuries when I'm outside, so I'll put on a pair of sandals or other shoes that can easily be slipped on if I'm going out.

For dressier occasions, I'll usually wear a simple pair of flats or small heels. I dislike shoes so much that I never really learned to walk in high heels. (interestingly, socks are common for men during dress occasion, women ether don't wear socks with dress shoes, or a sheer variety known as stockings that mimic skin tone)

#14 Redd on 2009-12-07 03:12 (Reply)

Today Fenton decorated Lindesfarne as a xmas tree. looks very nice. Now all they have to is discourage that dog from doing what I think it wants to do.

#15 Steven Brams on 2009-12-07 11:11 (Reply)

Having looked at some of the choices for foot-coverings (hereinafter referred to as "shoes") worn by humans; I have to say that I'm surprised that they can walk at all considering how much they abuse their feet! ("Foot-*binding*"??? Come *ON!!!*)

The only thing that looks anything NEAR comfortable is those "sandal"-things. I did, however find some intriguing footwear called "Vibrams Fivefingers" which are shoes with a very thin rubber sole and individual toes. Those I might be willing to put on my feet if I were human!

Also, regarding going barefoot: The price of freedom is eternal vigilance. (In other words, watch where you step!)

#16 Reynard on 2009-12-07 16:19 (Reply)

UM, when did you and fenton go over to the human world. Sorry, I missed a few years of the comic strip.

#17 Windham on 2009-12-07 19:13 (Reply)

It was never in the strip, only here:
http://www.billholbrookstore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=7

#17.1 Guest on 2009-12-07 22:51 (Reply)

Flip-flops 24-7. Even in the winter.

#18 Liz on 2009-12-07 21:25 (Reply)

Order Oh the humanity from the Bill Holbrook store & learn some of the secrets of Lindesfarne past. Also many other books. The best part of the deal is FREE SHIPPING on all orders untill 12/17/09. It can't get any better then that.

#19 Steven Brams on 2009-12-07 23:27 (Reply)

FREE SHIPPING IS FOR BUYERS IN THE USA ONLY.

#19.1 Steven Brams on 2009-12-09 14:50 (Reply)

This acually raises an interesting thought. Humans in the mainstream culture count in tens, and this is usually atributed tio the fact we have ten fingers and thumbs. But we haven't always done so. Some human cultures in the past - I'm thinking in particular of the Maya from Central America - counted in twenty, and there is pleenty of evidence that Europeans counted in twenties in the past (the English word score, the fact that the word for ninty in languages like French and Welsh translates literally as our-twenties and ten).

One speculation is that human cultures who went bare-foot or wore sandals counted in twenties (fingers, thumbs and toes), and ten emerged as the cultural norm after the appearence of closed footwear.

The question is, do all species count in the same way, or do they tend to count in different number bases, and do those bases tend to be correlated to the number of digits on their "hands", or on both hands and feet?

#20 Allan on 2009-12-08 05:33 (Reply)

There is also a long tradition of using 6 or 12, initially because they have easier to use factors. In one speculative fiction work, it was because some people have 6 fingers, and in that work, controlled time (Heinlein, I believe).
And at least one used base 60, again as it is divisible easily by many factors.
And our Clocks are base 60, not base 10. and the hours are base 12 or 24, not 10 or 20.

Some things we will never know for sure.

#20.1 Old Prof. Otter on 2009-12-09 00:27 (Reply)

Hey Lindesfarne, thats a intresting look for you, which brings up a question about pets, or if that dog who was sniffing at you was just a random dude from the wild.

Beyond that, to reply to your question, I wear Combat Boots, which are kinda hard to explain. Boots are like sneakers, only a bit taller, with thicker souls. There are many kinds, but combat boots are what the military wear and give out to their soldiers. They are rather comfortable.

The only other thing I wear for my feet is a 'wrapping' of a kind, not binding, just a wrapping, that works like sneakers or sandles without having to put on sneakers or sandles. I can't wear them right now because its too cold and there is too much snow on the ground, but they are very comfortable and as close to barefoot as I'm willing to go (and that my school allows me to wear...)

#21 Adam on 2009-12-08 10:05 (Reply)

Food for Lindesfarne:
On our side, European Hedgehogs eat:
Unlike the smaller, warmer climate species, the European Hedgehog may hibernate in the winter. It is omnivorous, feeding on a wide range of invertebrates, but preferring slugs, earthworms, beetles and other insects. The preferred arthropods are the millipedes Glomeris marginata and Tachypodoiulus niger as well as the ground beetle Carabus nemoralis.[3] It is also known to eat frogs, small rodents, young birds and birds' eggs.

So if you ever want to branch out and try something exotic, well there is your list.

#22 Old Prof. Otter on 2009-12-09 00:22 (Reply)

Scramble up some eggs, throw in some slugs and have an omelet?

;D

#22.1 Ashley on 2009-12-09 22:13 (Reply)

Add some cheese & make it a cheese omelet. Make it a meal with some pan fried potatos sprinkled with ants.

#22.1.1 Steven Brams on 2009-12-10 12:01 (Reply)

Steel-toed work boots.
(well, composite-ceramic; just as strong, but far lighter)
Add some martial arts training, and a really stong pair of legs; anybody tries to fight me in unarmed melee combat risks severe injury. But the most action I see is the climbing wall at my university. Also, a pair of heavy leather construction worker's boots.
Basically, I like to protect my feet while giving me an advantage to any physical activity I need to do. I don't lose speed with either pair. Function over form, any day.

For around the house; I have sandals and slippers, for warm and cold conditions.

I don't like walking barefoot, so at least almost always with socks, so as to protect my feet, and keep them clean and dry

#23 Xuncu (Link) on 2009-12-11 06:06 (Reply)

Amazing. I never thought about so many kinds of shoes to exist. Believe it or not, our Human cons have more along the lines of adaption props then styles. My Human suit uses a style known as Tennis. Limited knowledge states that it's a stylishly common item that got started in some kind of ball chasing game.

I have to admit that the Santa statue's been hard at work over the last week. Hot lead to all predators! Ho, ho...gotcha ya!

#24 jup-reindeer on 2009-12-11 23:57 (Reply)

Its more like a ball hitting game played over a net. The person on the other side hits the ball in your direction & you have to send it back. Its also the only game I know of where love means nothing.

#24.1 Steven Brams on 2009-12-12 21:23 (Reply)

This week Fiona asked Rudy what his best xmas presant was. He said when he was 4 it was a red rider gravity powered remote triggered herbivore trap. The most expencive toy in the store. I remember Coney's 1st time going out to eat. She is given a kids menu & some crayons. She turns them into a trap just like the one in the store window & bait. Cost nothing. Its amazing how they can take something so simple & put a big price on it.

#25 Steven Brams on 2009-12-19 09:24 (Reply)

Don't they do that in our world to? I just bought my lil bro a modle of Luke's Snowspeeder from Empire Strikes Back for $15, and I've seen things like that go along for $100. (Of course, that could just be for collectors)

#25.1 Alex on 2009-12-19 16:03 (Reply)

I actually have some of the foot problems described, so I can only wear flat mary jane shoes (that's a shoe with a strap across it) or court shoes (a sort of pointed lady's shoe) with orthotics inside for arch support.

#26 Cooler Becky (Link) on 2010-04-08 23:39 (Reply)

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