A post in the comments section reminded me of a short but essential article on speed and the South by Jonathan Chait in Slate. It's as effective a refutation of the "Southern speed myth" as we've ever seen. We've never bought this line of crap for an instant. People aren't any faster down here; if anything, with the abundance of Sonics, Wal-Marts, and Golden Corral "all-you-care-to-eat" buffets, we've always though life moved a little slower here, if only thanks to skyrocketing obesity rates.
Shazam! Just genetically faster, I guess. Must be the buttermilk!
Yet legions of pundits say we're wrong. Why does this persist? Especially when the two most notable electron-fast players in the nation--Reggie Bush and Ted Ginn--come from California and Ohio. We guess pundits will just attribute this to being from the southern portion of their respective states, or maybe through early exposure to warm weather through extensive and regular Florida vacations. They could ask why the last five national champs leaned heavily on California, Ohio, and Texas recruits, but that would be work, wouldn't it? Nooo, it's more fun to talk out of your ass, right, Kirk?
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