Boy Thread: put a hat on ur butt

[AngrySquirrel]

[link to Stephen Fry's opinions on Panama hats]

Just because one persone doesn't like Panama hats....

Never, ever question Sir Stephen on anything.

His pronounciation of Eyjafjallajøkull is quite poor.

[Belial]

I can basically guarantee it is better than mine.

Unless it's pronounced eye-ah-fyal-a-yokel.

[Garm]

On the subject of hats:
http://hugoboy.typepad.com/hugo_schwyzer/2005/07/thursday_short__1.html

[OBrien]

Never, ever question Sir Stephen on anything.

His pronounciation of Eyjafjallajøkull is quite poor.

Nope, he's just the only person who pronounces it properly.

[Jacque]

Never, ever question Sir Stephen on anything.

His pronounciation of Eyjafjallajøkull is quite poor.

Nope, he's just the only person who pronounces it properly.

Ol' Chuck might have an opinion on that statement.

[Ulc]

What was that weird rule about hats inside again?

"Never wear hats inside unless it's halloween or you're sporting some sort of physical anomaly." ...or you work in the food/packing industry.

Personally, I happily wear my hat inside - but then, I'm usually spotting some very nasty wounds in the scalp due to my psoriases, and again due to the same condition I'm forced to keep my scalp shaved. And as soon as some money move into my account, I'm very much planning to buy a couple more hats, which I'll also happily wear inside.

[SecondTalon]

I always heard from hairdressers that the genes responsible come from the mother's side

I still refute this. Most of my family on my Dad's side have the same thickness of hair as my Granddad, who hasn't gone bald at all and only went grey at about 55/60ish. The only variation between me and my Dad's side of my family's hair is straightness and colour. Only one of my uncles has gone grey before 55 and he still only went grey at 50ish and had blonde hair anyways. Also, if I remember my GCSE biology correctly, dominance and recessiveness shouldn't be affected by which family member they come from. It just seems like an old wives tale to me (and not one of the ones I believe in / make life better if you act like they're true).

I thought they determined that Baldness was carried on the X chromosome, which would imply the maternal genetic influence. Or has biology advanced beyond "One chromosome per parent" thing?

[Ulc]

I thought they determined that Baldness was carried on the X chromosome, which would imply the maternal genetic influence. Or has biology advanced beyond "One chromosome per parent" thing?

Nah, biology has just mostly advanced beyond the high-school teaching that traits are based on one single thing.

It's very few traits where that is actually the case, and baldness doesn't seem particularly likely to be one such, seeing how it's based on hormone levels, which are a nigh-infinitely complex system of feedback mechanisms.

Edit: That said, a quick reading indicates that the maternal line is probably, maybe, possible, more important than paternal. It's not clear however, and the study that links it heavily with the X-chromosone is quite seriously disputed.

[OBrien]

Last two posts, TIL.

I still refute it. Like I said, my family on my Dad's side all have very similar hair to my Granddad, whether it be their mum or dad that's the blood relation.

[SecondTalon]

Last two posts, TIL.

I still refute it. Like I said, my family on my Dad's side all have very similar hair to my Granddad, whether it be their mum or dad that's the blood relation.

..which proves..what, exactly? If the X-Chromosome thing is true, you'd want to look at the fathers and brothers of the women, not your father's granddad, uncles, and so on. If, for example, every male on your Grand Maternal side is bald as bald can be, but your father is still rocking a full head of hair at 60, then that'd dispute it.

[OBrien]

OK, I worded it badly. Here's what I meant:
My family on my Dad's side all have very similar hair to my Granddad in terms of thickness (whether it be their mum or dad that's the blood relation), and their hair bares very little resemblance to their not-my-blood-relative-parent's hair, except in colour.

[Shivahn]

I thought they determined that Baldness was carried on the X chromosome, which would imply the maternal genetic influence. Or has biology advanced beyond "One chromosome per parent" thing?

Nah, biology has just mostly advanced beyond the high-school teaching that traits are based on one single thing.

It's very few traits where that is actually the case, and baldness doesn't seem particularly likely to be one such, seeing how it's based on hormone levels, which are a nigh-infinitely complex system of feedback mechanisms.

Edit: That said, a quick reading indicates that the maternal line is probably, maybe, possible, more important than paternal. It's not clear however, and the study that links it heavily with the X-chromosone is quite seriously disputed.

Wikipedia indicates that there might be one (of many) "baldness genes" on the X. If so, then you would expect if your maternal grandfather is bald, then your mom had a 50% chance of passing one of several of the genes to you.

So, yeah. It's possible that there is a disproportionate influence of the maternal side, but as usual, trying to make a simple rule for something in biology just ends with confusion.

[Izawwlgood]

I've heard the maternal grandparent thing, and didn't think it ever made any sense until I learned about Imprinting. But the corroboration of the existence of imprinting doesn't support the hypothesis of 'material grandfathers hair status' as being the true indicator of baldness.

All I know is my hair line is receding, thanks very much, you fucking asshole.

[SecondTalon]

Both my grandfathers were bald. I myself have a nice growing spot on my crown, while my brother's is doing a march to the rear. I don't know about him, but I personally don't give a fuck.

[Izawwlgood]

Oh yeah, and the whole thing with different patterns to baldness is super interesting too. My hair isn't thinning, but it's definitely receding from my forehead.

I just wish I had really grown my hair out. I spent all of high school shaving my head, then all of college manically bouncing between shaggy and unkempt and shorn again... I shoul dhave just grown some niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice, looooooooooooooong, jewcurls...

Sigh... Whelp, no time like graduate school to not give a fuck how my hair looks, and with any luck, the receding-ness will be covered by sexy shaggy curls.

[Noc]

I have long hair at the moment, and both my slight widow's peak and the receding hairlines of most of my extended family suggest that that is going to be a thing of relevance in the next couple of decades.

Which doesn't really bother me, but does mean that I'll have to change hairstyles at some point to dodge the "aging hippy look" bullet. The reason I'm broadly unworried about my aging appearance is because I already sort of look like a wizard, which makes me suspect that as I get older I'll just grow to look more awesome.

[Fantastic Idea]

100% agreement, Noc!

[Shivahn]

I have long hair at the moment, and both my slight widow's peak and the receding hairlines of most of my extended family suggest that that is going to be a thing of relevance in the next couple of decades.

Which doesn't really bother me, but does mean that I'll have to change hairstyles at some point to dodge the "aging hippy look" bullet. The reason I'm broadly unworried about my aging appearance is because I already sort of look like a wizard, which makes me suspect that as I get older I'll just grow to look more awesome.

I have inherited bad genes, and have long hair, but right now I am taking both finasteride and minoxidil to combat loss preemptively.

There's a non-negligible chance I'll end up on a full blown testosterone blocker though, so that would definitely make it far less troublesome.

[OBrien]

Sigh... Whelp, no time like graduate school to not give a fuck how my hair looks, and with any luck, the receding-ness will be covered by sexy shaggy curls.

If not, cut it mid-length, oil it back and get some sweet, thick lensed glasses like the drummer from Gentle Giant, the most badass looking drummer in the world:
Skip to about 5:04 to see him at his best, or watch the whole thing for some prog awesomeness (including recorder acapella).

[Nath]

Back to hats for a second, I don't know why casual full-brimmed hats are so hard to find. I often wear a hat outdoors, to keep rain off my head. Much more convenient than an umbrella. I wear baseball caps, because they are cheap, easily available, and don't look like part of a costume. Unfortunately, they do little to keep the rain off my ears and the back of my neck. There ought to be a brimmed counterpart.

[bigglesworth]

Excuse the ridiculous stock image (eating an apple!), but would this count?

[Felstaff]

Perhaps if you wanted to look like a member of Ocean Colour Scene.

[OBrien]

Bush hats are the way forward man:

[Shro]

Here are some (reasonably priced-under $60) hat's that are weather resistant and either made of wool/wool felt/waxed cotton and more of a shape than just "bucket":
L.L. Bean Scottish Tweed Rain Hat with Gore-Tex
L.L. Bean Wool Crusher Hat
L.L. Bean Waxed Cotton Packer Hat
Filson Wool Packer Hat
Filson Tin Cloth Packer Hat
Filson Tin Cloth Bush Hat
Orvis Packable Felt Hat
J.Crew's Wool Crusher Hat in Khaki Tweed

[Whelan]

People are always telling me to get hats, but I'm not a Hat Person. Might be that I've yet to find a hat that isn't too big for me.

[OBrien]

Wait, how could we forget the mighty fedora?


I'm also currently lusting after a proper, made in Russia ushanka, but I don't have the money and haven't done the research into whether the Russian rabbit fur trade is ethical or not (although if it's not I'm still getting an acrylic fur one). First image spoilered for ridiculously large:

Spoiler:

Should keep the rain off the sides and back of your head too.

[pseudoidiot]

People are always telling me to get hats, but I'm not a Hat Person. Might be that I've yet to find a hat that isn't too big for me.

A particular type of fashion isn't for everyone. I don't really care for hats, myself.

[Noc]

People are always telling me to get hats, but I'm not a Hat Person.

Maybe it's because you don't get hats?

>.>
<.<

I'll get my coat. And hat.

[Nath]

Thank you for the hat suggestions, hat people. I shall return to them when wider awake.

[semicharmed]

I'm also currently lusting after a proper, made in Russia ushanka, but I don't have the money and haven't done the research into whether the Russian rabbit fur trade is ethical or not (although if it's not I'm still getting an acrylic fur one). First image spoilered for ridiculously large:

Spoiler:

Some of it is, some of it isn't, if it's anything like Ukraine. Rabbit meat is popular here, but home-raised. So if you find someone who raises rabbits, kills them, eats the meat and then makes hats from the skins, it's about as ethical as a fur product will get. Plenty of my neighbours have rabbits, and they're well taken care of until they become dinner.

But if you buy something from a fur shop or from a stall in a major city, probably not.

[OBrien]

To be honest, given my opinions on leather and sheep-skin, if their meat is eaten and they're raised and killed humainly I'm fine with it. If they're wild in an area where hunting them is sustainable and the meat is eaten, then that's even better. I'll be checking out each company individually though.

If I can't find any ethical* fur ones online, though, I'll ask my friend in Moscow to look out for some home-made ones next time he goes for a trip in the countryside before I give in to the acrylics. Cheers!

*to my definition, at least. Subjectivity is a bitch.

[I Am Raven]

This here is my hat. Keeps my head warm and mostly dry during even heavy rain (for about an hour). Been my loyal companion for the past 4 (5?) years.

[dubsola]

Here are some (reasonably priced-under $60) hat's that are weather resistant and either made of wool/wool felt/waxed cotton and more of a shape than just "bucket":

I need to get a new hat, summer is coming, but for some reason I don't like any of those. I wish I knew why. I have worn hats to great success in the past:

Spoiler:

I like your hat, Raven

[I Am Raven]

I like your hat, Raven

Why thank you. I must say the one you're showcasing is a mighty fine instance as well.

[EmptySet]

So, I'm going to tangent off on balding, because I think it's something worth talking about, even if other discussions are interesting and actually maybe most of the crap has stopped being flung. Also, I'm pretty sure we can discuss a couple things in one thread well enough.

I'm kind of curious, rob (and everyone really), why you are afraid of it? Is it that you'll be bald and don't want that, appearance wise? Or the in-between stages? The holy-crap-aging thing? Societal baggage? Something else? Not that any of those are wrong or more or less valid, naturally, I'm just curious why.

Speaking as someone who is also balding at an early age, for me it's not really the appearance so much as a combination of "holy crap aging" and "societal baggage". It's probably similar to women being insecure about their weight, body hair, wrinkles, and so on - going bald marks me as old and unattractive. Since I am nerdy and single, it also puts me closer to the "ugly geeky loser" stereotype. If I was forty and happily married it might be considered dignified, but on a young guy it's just regarded as ugly and shameful.

[Jumble]

I don't know if it helps, but I am 40 (and a bit) and happily married, and I too dread the thought of going bald. Every time I get my hair cut I dread that bit when they angle a mirror to show you the back of your head as I fear the day that the previously unnoticed bald patch winks back at me.

However, I am at least at an age where most of my friends and colleagues are either thinning or just bald, and it does make you realise that so long as you accept it, get a number one all over and get on with life no one will think anything of it. You notice, but everyone else will see it as part of you. Sure, it shows you're getting older, but it also shows you've lived and survived. Anyway, really short haircuts are a hell of a lot easier.

[Ulc]

However, I am at least at an age where most of my friends and colleagues are either thinning or just bald, and it does make you realise that so long as you accept it, get a number one all over and get on with life no one will think anything of it. You notice, but everyone else will see it as part of you. Sure, it shows you're getting older, but it also shows you've lived and survived. Anyway, really short haircuts are a hell of a lot easier.

A small interesting fact:

After I went entirely bald due to hair loss (medical induced) I have never spent so much on my hair as I do now - the rate at which I go through razor blades is entirely unbelievable!

[Plasma Man]

My hairline is receding, which doesn't bother me, but does seem to bother those who cut my hair. They leave a bit more hair in the fringe, seemingly to try to hide a bit more of my forehead. I don't ask for it, so I'm guessing that's something they're trained to do (or think looks good).

[colinrmitchell]

<threadjack>
Beautiful day in northeastern Ohio!

Time to do some cutting and welding!



</threadjack>

[TheMaskedGecko]

That is an elegant solution to both the hairline and the hat problems. Well done.