A few years ago Orcmagazine.com created an Internet meme with “Google your race.” The site compiled a list of the top Google results when you search “White people are known for…” “Black people are known for…” “Asian people are known for…” etc.
This was obviously before Stuff White People Like.
Is there any significance to Google’s hodgepodge snapshot? Maybe.
In his book “Click: What We Do Online And Why It Matters,” Bill Tancer of Internet research company Hitwise argues that search data helps “get an understanding of what people really think about a topic – as opposed to what they tell researchers or friends.” Here’s more on that subject if you wish to explore further.
But to test the “Click” theory, you can try the Google “is known for” game on anyone or anything. My favorite result is Tim is known for being exceptionally organized and disciplined, as well as being super-intelligent. This just proves that there’s probably no truth whatsoever to these results.
So just for fun, I explored the phrase with a few fitness themes. Do you see yourself in any of them?
Triathletes are known for…
Triathletes are known for: not cleaning their bikes more than once a decade, spitting, sweating, drooling, and peeing on their bicycles.
Triathletes are known for their leg strength, endurance, power and mental toughness.
Triathletes are known for their grueling training schedules.
Triathletes are known for focusing all of their energies into their training plans.
Triathletes are known for having “weak glutes,” caused by years and years of loading the hips/pelvis area of the body resulting in something called Hip Spasm.
Triathletes are known for being pretty hard on their bodies.
Triathletes are known for their poor bike etiquette, but even more so for their poor swimming skills.
Triathletes are known for their individuality, their fierce independence, and even defiance.
Runners are known for…
Runners are known for their fanaticism.
Runners are known for pushing themselves too far and running through pain.
Elite Kenyan runners are known for completing hill climbs as long as 20K.
Runners are known for running. Who would’ve thought?
Runners are known for their distinctive orange shirts.
Kenyan runners are known for their superior performance in distance running.
Runners are known for having skinny “athletic” butts
Several Olympic runners are known for taking icy plunges after a tough workout, insisting that it prevents muscle soreness and stiffness.
Cyclists are known for…
Cyclists are known for staying on top of their training heart rate zones and pedal cadence.
Cyclists are known for “weaving” – riding in and out of traffic.
Dutch cyclists are known for their ingenuity and, sometimes, misplaced confidence.
Cyclists are known for their passion for riding and life.
Cyclists are known for their flashy fashion.
Cyclists are known for having large strong legs, but a relatively weak upper body.
Toronto cyclists are known for their energy and willingness to have a good time.
Yoga is known for…
Yoga is known for its immense health benefits.
Yoga is known for the asanas or postures.
Bikram yoga is known for burning anywhere from 500-1000 calories a session.
Yoga is known for decreasing health problems or fixing existing problems.
Thai Yoga is known for its profoundly relaxing and restorative effects, leaving even the most harried or inactive individual with restored breathing.
Yoga is known for its capacity to reduce stress.
Pilates is known for…
Pilates is known for helping people develop both strength and flexibility.
Pilates is known for its ability to improve strength and endurance of the core (abs and back) muscles.
Pilates is known for creating long lean muscles and a balanced strength.
Winsor Pilates is known for its weight loss, body sculpting, and abdominal workouts.
Pilates is known for creating long lean bodies.
Pilates is known for its ability to flatten abs.
Pilates is known for it’s amazing ability to strengthen your core, improve back stability and create a long, lean, supple look to the body.
Pilates was known as a gregarious party lover who nevertheless managed his diet carefully. His only weakness was a lifelong addiction to cigar smoking, which is believed to have caused an ultimately fatal case of emphysema.
Swimmers are known for…
British swimmers are known for their good form.
Swimmers are known for their tough, well-built and flexible body.
Elite swimmers are known for their intense workouts.
Olympic swimmers are known for their bodies and looking good in their suits.
Swimmers are known for their endurance, so we last much longer when we’re in “the zone.”One Olympic Swimmer is known for his love of water both in the pool and bong.
