3 ms·

This reminds me that SkyMall (RIP) always had those advertisements for height increasing shoes. Now that I think of it, the inflight magazines still have those

by bombcar 8mo ago

This reminds me that SkyMall (RIP) always had those advertisements for height increasing shoes. Now that I think of it, the inflight magazines still have those ... Amusingly enough the best CEO and best salesman I ever knew (two different people) were below average height.

neilv 8mo ago
It could be that height says nothing about competence as a CEO, or it could be that the people who attain CEO and succeed despite height bias need to have an exceptionally strong mix of merit/will/effort. I've heard the latter theory at least a couple times about US Navy SEALs. The first time, it was a retired SEAL I knew (well over 6', and a brick wall) who one day out of the blue said something like, "You shouldn't feel bad about being short. The best SEAL I knew was a short guy, and he could kick my ass." Later, I heard a similar anecdote in a speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxBQLFLei70&t=440s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxBQLFLei70&t=440s
- bombcar 8mo ago
  As famously quoted by Darth Vader: https://youtu.be/6A0rwG39Jzkt=349 https://youtu.be/6A0rwG39Jzkt=349 I've heard a number of times that you want to be worried about the guy who looks out of place because he's there through pure grit, skill, and determination.
  - mikkupikku 8mo ago
    Reminds me of Mike Vining in his dress shirt: https://primegazette.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/mike-vining-1-1536x1018.jpg https://primegazette.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/mike-vin... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Vining https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Vining
- mikkupikku 8mo ago
  I've heard that special forces guys tend to be smaller, but I'm not sure that's true. It seems like there could be a few tactical advantages to being shorter, less likely to bump your head maybe, but who knows.
  - Ostrogoth 8mo ago
    Spec ops tend to be more averaged sized, with denser builds (as opposed to bulkier muscle mass)(1). Although, quick caveat, take a look at old photos of Vietnam War era special forces vs modern late GWOT; the difference in average muscle mass is rather stark. Historically, military selection emphasized calisthenics and load carrying capacity (body armor/weapons/rucks) + endurance. Although modern assessments have somewhat shifted towards weightlifting components, calisthenics/rucking are still a major focus. There is generally a disadvantage with height, where longer limb length creates more leverage to overcome, which is a disadvantage in both calisthenics and moving external weight around. Average size is ~5’10” @ 180lbs at selection (1) https://sofprepcoach.com/special-forces-selection-body-composition-ideal-weight-body-fat-and-muscle-mass-targets-with-data/ https://sofprepcoach.com/special-forces-selection-body-compo...
  - yencabulator 8mo ago
    I've heard the expression "gazelle build" used there. Think more long distance runner than weight lifter. Long legs, short back. Strong sure but even more than that, high endurance.
Obscurity4340 8mo ago
Putin and DeSantis all wear them

by bombcar 8mo ago

neilv 8mo ago

It could be that height says nothing about competence as a CEO, or it could be that the people who attain CEO and succeed despite height bias need to have an exceptionally strong mix of merit/will/effort. I've heard the latter theory at least a couple times about US Navy SEALs. The first time, it was a retired SEAL I knew (well over 6', and a brick wall) who one day out of the blue said something like, "You shouldn't feel bad about being short. The best SEAL I knew was a short guy, and he could kick my ass." Later, I heard a similar anecdote in a speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxBQLFLei70&t=440s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxBQLFLei70&t=440s

bombcar 8mo ago
As famously quoted by Darth Vader: https://youtu.be/6A0rwG39Jzkt=349 https://youtu.be/6A0rwG39Jzkt=349 I've heard a number of times that you want to be worried about the guy who looks out of place because he's there through pure grit, skill, and determination.
- mikkupikku 8mo ago
  Reminds me of Mike Vining in his dress shirt: https://primegazette.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/mike-vining-1-1536x1018.jpg https://primegazette.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/mike-vin... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Vining https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Vining
mikkupikku 8mo ago
I've heard that special forces guys tend to be smaller, but I'm not sure that's true. It seems like there could be a few tactical advantages to being shorter, less likely to bump your head maybe, but who knows.
- Ostrogoth 8mo ago
  Spec ops tend to be more averaged sized, with denser builds (as opposed to bulkier muscle mass)(1). Although, quick caveat, take a look at old photos of Vietnam War era special forces vs modern late GWOT; the difference in average muscle mass is rather stark. Historically, military selection emphasized calisthenics and load carrying capacity (body armor/weapons/rucks) + endurance. Although modern assessments have somewhat shifted towards weightlifting components, calisthenics/rucking are still a major focus. There is generally a disadvantage with height, where longer limb length creates more leverage to overcome, which is a disadvantage in both calisthenics and moving external weight around. Average size is ~5’10” @ 180lbs at selection (1) https://sofprepcoach.com/special-forces-selection-body-composition-ideal-weight-body-fat-and-muscle-mass-targets-with-data/ https://sofprepcoach.com/special-forces-selection-body-compo...
- yencabulator 8mo ago
  I've heard the expression "gazelle build" used there. Think more long distance runner than weight lifter. Long legs, short back. Strong sure but even more than that, high endurance.

Obscurity4340 8mo ago

Putin and DeSantis all wear them