Out on a Limb

[thirdtime's . . .]

Since we’re in the off-season doldrums I take it no one will take offense at a little social analysis to while away the time. If you read carefully you’ll see that this isn’t about politics, it's about understanding the vibes of certain forum members' environment, which suggests that they’re not going to roll over and play dead, or if they do they will do it serenely.


https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/06/opinion/happiness-trust-americans-states.html

 

[Steamboat]

Your link is paywalled. What vibes do you wish to tap into?

 

[thirdtime's . . .]

Your link is paywalled. What vibes do you wish to tap into?

OMG I’ve done it again! Apologies to all my exasperated fans out there! NYT access is sometimes 50/50, but I’m beginning to lose more often than not. Never again!!!

The gist of the article was that Minnesota is #1 when a reputable survey asks: Which state does best at ensuring the well-being of its citizens, giving them health, education and hope? I was posting half tongue-in-cheek for our WCHA friends, though the article by Nicholas Kristof is anything but amusing, noting the pervasive discontent in the country. Minnesota is the happiest state in an unhappy union. But the Minnesota hook was irresistible: What does the state’s steady-as-she-goes, keep-an-even-keel reputation suggest for the poor, beleaguered Gophers?

That’s it. Time-killer for the doldrums.

 

[Steamboat]

OMG I’ve done it again! Apologies to all my exasperated fans out there! NYT access is sometimes 50/50, but I’m beginning to lose more often than not. Never again!!!

The gist of the article was that Minnesota is #1 when a reputable survey asks: Which state does best at ensuring the well-being of its citizens, giving them health, education and hope? I was posting half tongue-in-cheek for our WCHA friends, though the article by Nicholas Kristof is anything but amusing, noting the pervasive discontent in the country. Minnesota is the happiest state in an unhappy union. But the Minnesota hook was irresistible: What does the state’s steady-as-she-goes, keep-an-even-keel reputation suggest for the poor, beleaguered Gophers?

That’s it. Time-killer for the doldrums.

As a Minnesotan, we are used to being denied the ultimate prize. Name any sport played and when the season winds down, the nails get bitten, the anxiety rises, and when the team crashes out, it's "Yep, just as I expected". When the Gopher women started their glorious run in the early 20-teens, I was quick to nab season tickets, which I still have. Many great memories, and some sad finales. That is part of being a Minnesotan.
Now of course I also have the St. Thomas team to root for. Much easier to watch an underdog over-perform than seeing the overdog underperform.

 

[Timothy A]

What does the state’s steady-as-she-goes, keep-an-even-keel reputation suggest for the poor, beleaguered Gophers?

That’s it. Time-killer for the doldrums.

LOL. That undefeated season never really happened, eh? That should be living rent free in their heads forevah!