Summary of "99% Invisible" - Episode: Mini-Stories: Volume 19

Release Date: December 17, 2024
Host: Roman Mars
Producer(s): Chris Berube, Vivian Ley, Joe Rosenberg

"99% Invisible" delves into the unnoticed elements of design and architecture that shape our daily lives. In "Mini-Stories: Volume 19," host Roman Mars presents a collection of engaging narratives that explore quirky highway signs, Jane Fonda's surprising influence on California's rent control laws, and the historical obsession with foot aesthetics in Western art.

1. The Humor Behind Highway Signs

Overview: Roman Mars and producer Chris Berube kick off the episode by discussing the emergence of humorous electronic highway signs in the United States. Unlike the more straightforward signage in Canada, U.S. signs often incorporate witty messages that capture drivers' attention and make safety information more memorable.

Key Points:

• Comparative Design: Roman highlights the contrast between Canadian and U.S. highway signs. While Canadian signs are typically direct (e.g., bilingual warnings like "Don't drive drunk"), U.S. signs often employ humor to convey similar messages.

  Quote:
  Roman Mars [02:32]: "In Canada, the signs are always bland. They will say something like don't drive drunk... But to express the same message in the U.S., I have found there are often jokes."

• Examples of Humorous Signs:

  • Pennsylvania: "Don't drive Star Spangled hammered."
  • Mississippi: "Four eyes in Mississippi, two eyes on the road."
  • Massachusetts: "Use Yablinka."
  • New Jersey: "Slow down, this ain't Thunder Road."

• Creation Process: Matt Berting from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) explains the collaborative effort behind crafting these signs. A dedicated writer's room meets quarterly to brainstorm and vet humorous messages that fit within specific character and space constraints.

  Quote:
  Matt Berting [04:40]: "Think about the Super Bowl, and you watch the ads during the Super Bowl. Which ads are you most likely talking about Monday morning? You're talking about the ones that made you laugh or the ones that made you have an emotional reaction."

• Balancing Humor and Safety: While humor enhances message retention, it must not compromise safety. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has expressed concerns that overly distracting signs, like New Jersey's "Hold onto your butts. Help prevent forest fires," can lead to unsafe driving behaviors, prompting stricter guidelines.

  Quote:
  Matt Berting [12:28]: "I don't think we're going to suddenly see a huge swing in fatalities or crashes because of these, but I think we are taking little bites at it, and it's worth it."

Insights: Humorous signage serves as an effective tool for communication by making safety messages more relatable and memorable. However, it requires careful consideration to ensure that humor does not detract from the sign's primary purpose.

2. Jane Fonda's Workout Tapes and California's Rent Control

Overview: Joe Rosenberg narrates a fascinating story about how Jane Fonda's wildly popular workout tapes inadvertently funded political initiatives that led to significant changes in California's housing laws, particularly rent control in Santa Monica.

Key Points:

• Historical Context: In the mid-1970s, Jane Fonda and Tom Hayden founded the Campaign for Economic Democracy (CED) to support progressive candidates in California. Running such a political action committee required substantial funding.

  Quote:
  Jane Fonda (in historical context) [15:14]: "We elected people that are still serving in public office in California."

• Creation of Workout Tapes: After breaking her foot in 1978, Jane Fonda sought low-impact exercise options, leading her to collaborate with instructor Lenny Kazden. This partnership resulted in the creation of the Jane Fonda Workout studios and books, which became New York Times bestsellers.

  Quote:
  Joe Rosenberg [17:36]: "Jane Fonda has been a huge progressive activist for literally decades... but she agreed to do it because... she thought it might bring some extra cash in for the CED."

• Economic Impact: The success of Fonda's workout tapes and books provided the necessary financial support for the CED to invest in various progressive causes, including solar power, labor rights, and anti-war initiatives. Notably, the funds contributed to the enactment of rent control laws in Santa Monica, offering lasting benefits to residents.

  Quote:
  Joe Rosenberg [20:34]: "If you enjoy the institution of the funny highway sign, you have an opportunity. It's at the website zerodeaths.ohio.gov so check it out."

• Legacy: Fonda's dual impact as an entertainer and activist underscores the potential of popular culture to influence political and social change in unexpected ways.

Insights: This story exemplifies how entrepreneurial ventures, even those seemingly unrelated to politics, can provide essential support for significant legislative achievements. It highlights the interconnectedness of media, finance, and activism in shaping public policy.

3. The Ancient Greek Obsession with Perfect Feet

Overview: Producer Chris Berube and co-host Vivian Ley delve into the historical preference for a specific foot shape in Western art—the "Greek foot"—where the big toe is shorter than the second toe. This aesthetic ideal has been perpetuated through millennia of art and sculpture, influencing societal perceptions of beauty.

Key Points:

• Personal Anecdote: Chris shares a humorous experience where his roommate criticizes his "Greek foot," prompting an exploration of the term and its historical significance.

  Quote:
  Chris Berube [31:06]: "In the Western artistic tradition... there are three major foot shapes: Egyptian, Roman, and Greek."

• Foot Classifications:

  • Egyptian Foot: Big toe longer than other toes (common globally, ~70%).
  • Roman Foot: Big toe same length as second and third toes (~25%).
  • Greek Foot: Big toe shorter than the second toe (rare, ~5%).

• Historical Influence: The ancient Greeks, particularly sculptors like Polykleitos, idealized the Greek foot in their art, establishing it as a standard for beauty that persisted through Renaissance masterpieces and modern monuments like the Statue of Liberty.

  Quote:
  Chris Berube [34:36]: "Throughout most of Western artistic history, it was an idealized form which has persisted as an aesthetic standard."

• Cultural Impact: This long-standing preference has influenced how feet are depicted in art, often sidelining natural variations in human anatomy. The conversation touches on modern implications, including the niche of foot modeling and the attention given to foot aesthetics in popular culture.

  Quote:
  Chris Berube [38:37]: "I think we also might actually make great foot models if we ever needed the extra cash, because I can't confirm this, but a quick Google search for foot-related products like sandals suggests that a disproportionate number of foot models also have Greek feet."

Insights: The preference for the Greek foot demonstrates how cultural and artistic standards can shape and sometimes distort natural human features. It raises questions about the influence of historical aesthetics on contemporary beauty standards and the importance of embracing diversity in physical appearances.

Conclusion

"Mini-Stories: Volume 19" of "99% Invisible" masterfully intertwines tales of humor in public signage, the unforeseen political ramifications of Jane Fonda's fitness empire, and the deep-seated artistic preferences shaping our perceptions of beauty. Through these narratives, the episode underscores the profound impact of design and cultural standards on societal behaviors and policies.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Berting [04:40]: "Which ads are you most likely talking about Monday morning? You're talking about the ones that made you laugh or the ones that made you have an emotional reaction."

• Matt Berting [06:08]: "They always try to make sure they have people from different generations at each meeting."

• Joe Rosenberg [20:34]: "If it makes it better for even a handful of people, then I think it's worth that effort."

• Chris Berube [34:36]: "Throughout most of Western artistic history, it was an idealized form which has persisted as an aesthetic standard."

This episode exemplifies "99% Invisible's" commitment to uncovering the hidden stories behind everyday designs and cultural phenomena, revealing the intricate ways in which they influence and reflect our world.