I need your help picking out a tee-shirt.

Posted by Greg Laden on October 30, 2009
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I would very much like your help in picking out a tee-shirt to wear around town. Let me tell you about the town, and you’ll be able to make an appropriate suggestion.

I live in a conservative, working class, quasi-religious city, though my heart is in a nearby radical lefty atheistic edgy cool city. To put a fine point on it, a few blocks from where I sit right now is Michele Bachmann’s congressional district, but the congressional district I’ve mostly lived in while in Minnesota, and to which I hope to move within the next year, is represented by the first African American Muslim member of congress ever, and by local standards, Keith Ellison is not off any kind of scale. We think of him as politically run of the mill, very smart, and very honest.

Anyway, what this means (among other things) is that when I go to the grocery store I see more mullets than people in Keith’s district will see in a lifetime, but I am also seen. I’ve noticed that when I wear one particular tee-shirt that says “Evolution” in large letters on the front (it’s from a conference) I get stares. Sometimes they are hostile stares. At the gym, even worse.

It is a little different, but not much different, when I wear my Scienceblogs blogging shirt to the gym (and this shirt is one of the shirts I wear to the gym normally).

Let me put this even more starkly perspective for you. I’m walking out of the locker room at the gym the other day, wearing my Scienceblogs blogging shirt (which says “Blog Science” on it) and walking apace and a bit behind me are two local males. One is a young guy (in his 20s) the other is an old guys (in his 70s).


Young Guy: “So, are they going to let him in?”

Old Guy: “Hmphrh”

Young Guy: “Into the White House.”

Old Guy: “Hmphrh”

Young Guy: “Are they going let him into the White House?!”

Old Guy: “Hmphrh”

Young Guy: “The Black Guy. Are they going to let him into the White House?”

Old Guy: “Hmphrh”

Young Guy: “Obama, the Black Guy. Are they going to let him into the White House? … Get it?”

And please don’t think for a moment that offensive ignorance of this kind is atypical. It’s what I see, what I hear, all the time around here.

But my Evolution tee-shirt is getting worn out. I need a new tee-shirt. The words should be visible enough that they can be easily seen from some distance. Although pro-evolution/science/whatever sloganry can be on the back, I’d really like it on the front too, so I can see the reaction. Both front and back would be good, I guess.

So, help me pick out a tee-shirt. I’m mostly interested in Evolution, but other issues are good too. And, most importantly, it should be good quality, all cotton, better than average fabric. I’m going to be wearing this thing all the time.

So, which one (or two) should I get for wearing around Coon Rapids, Minnesota?

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Comments

  1. #1 Paul F
    October 30, 2009

    I don’t suppose xkcd’s “Science: it works bitches” t-shirt would appeal?

    http://store.xkcd.com/xkcd/#Science

  2. #2 Greg Laden
    October 30, 2009

    Whoa… we are off to a great start!!!!

  3. #3 djfav
    October 30, 2009

    You should get this shirt and wear it next time you go to the gym.

  4. #4 Ben Zvan
    October 30, 2009

    Browse t-shirt hell for a while. I’m sure they have something you’d like.

  5. #5 DCBob
    October 30, 2009

    I recommend the Darwin-as-Obama shirt:

    http://www.zazzle.com/darwin2009/

  7. #7 Nox
    October 30, 2009

    I like this one a lot, though I’m a girl so YMMV:

    “Science is a verb now”
    http://www.topatoco.com/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=TO&Product_Code=QC-SCIENCEVERB&Category_Code=QC

  8. #8 Stephanie Z
    October 30, 2009

    Can’t forget these.

  9. #9 Kierra
    October 30, 2009

    I think many of these would be awesome:

    Teach the Controversy

  10. #10 Joshua Zelinsky
    October 30, 2009

    I was going to make the same recommendation as Stephanie so I’ll just repeat that. Also, consider the xkcd shirt with “Make me a sandwich.” “Make yourself a sandwhich”. “Sudo make me a sandwhich.” “Ok”.

  11. #11 mk
    October 30, 2009

    “Evolve Already!”

  12. #12 Jay
    October 30, 2009

    I like XKCD’s “Stand Back – I’m Going to Try Science” shirt. I’ve had that one spark a few interesting conversations.

  13. #13 Mike V
    October 30, 2009

    Northern Sun has quite a few Darwin and related shirts. I picked up this one at Twin Cities Pride this year. I think they were also at the Living Green Expo. They’re based in the Twin Cities, but I don’t know if they have an actual storefront.

  14. #14 name
    October 30, 2009

    testing comment system

  15. #15 Odin
    October 30, 2009

    Gun control means ….

    http://www.cafepress.com/+gun_control_white_tshirt,51704917

  16. #16 Irene
    October 30, 2009

    “Contrary to Belief” on the back

    “Armed and Dangerous Liberal” on the front.

  17. #17 SQB
    October 30, 2009

    Viva la Evolución! by Busted Tees. Or check out shirt.woot.

  18. #18 Don
    October 30, 2009

    Many Good ones here:

    http://evolvefish.com/fish/shirts.html

  19. #19 Paul D.
    October 30, 2009

    “Voting Member of the Donner Party”

  21. #21 Pete
    October 30, 2009

    Gun nut classic:

    “The NRA Called … You’re Fired!”

  22. #22 noel
    October 30, 2009

    My OBAMA T got similar looks here in Houston. Not, because it was unusual – he won the county – but because I look like a red neck. I do like the double take, too!
    How about simply “LIBERAL”? I got my sister one from Cafe Press; the bumper sticker is on my car. Michele would hate that.

  23. #23 OmegaMom
    October 30, 2009

    I’ve always liked Back off, I’m doing science!”, from Retropolis.

  25. #25 Katharine
    October 30, 2009

    http://www.cafepress.com/antireligion

    Excellent t-shirts.

  27. #27 katydid13
    October 30, 2009

    You could go old school with one of the bright green Wellstone t-shirts. Although, too many people may have forgotten/not know for that to be effective.

    Reading your blog makes me miss Minnestoa.

  28. #28 JL
    October 30, 2009

    I’ll send you one of mine:

    “Genius in a World of Idiots”

  29. #29 Carlyle K.
    October 30, 2009

    HEALTH CARE FOR MOST!

  30. #30 MikeMa
    October 30, 2009

    They are classics but I’ll bet you could get a pile of those evolution tees cheap from the high school band in Sedalia Missouri where the ijit parents complained…

    Link here

  31. #31 Lorax
    October 30, 2009

    Ive worn this one with surprising success (and no overt hatred as of yet). Its way more subtle than some of the militant suggestions others made.

    http://angrybychoice.blogspot.com/2008/06/new-t-shirt.html

  32. #32 Some guy
    October 30, 2009

    Robot Evolution (see link above)

  33. #33 Donna
    October 30, 2009

    I’d be willing to give you my “I Love Lucy” shirt with a picture of her skeleton that I got from HMNS when she was in Houston

  34. #34 Sally
    October 30, 2009

    The following tee shirt has been banned:

    http://www.momlogic.com/2009/09/band_shirt_evolution_intelligent_design.php

    Consider it.

  35. #35 Denise
    October 30, 2009

    This is the one you are looking for, dear:

    http://www.zazzle.com/evolution_fish_we_have_the_fossils_we_win_tshirt-235329872728934673

  37. #37 davef
    October 30, 2009

    someecards.com are awesome, and I recently got this from them:
    http://www.someecards.com/store/product.php?productid=16455

  38. #38 Kitty'sBitch
    October 30, 2009

    I used to have an awesome shirt from The Lord’s Gym. It was a buff Jesus snapping the cross in half.
    I’m not sure what happened to it or I’d send it to you.
    It was sooooo awful.

  39. #39 Bradley W. Schenck
    October 30, 2009

    I’m conflicted: I actually stumbled in here because one of the comments linked to a t-shirt of mine at the Retropolis Transit Authority – but after reading your post the t-shirt I believe you need is “Save Yourself, Mammal! We Will Fend Off the Asteroids!”

    http://www.topatoco.com/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=TO&Product_Code=SMBC-DINOSAVE&Category_Code=ALLSHIRTS

    It’s not one of mine, but it’s just a fantastic shirt.

  40. #40 Greg Laden
    October 30, 2009

    Bradley, that Klaatu Barada Nikto T-Shirt is pretty cool.

  41. #41 Bradley W. Schenck
    October 30, 2009

    And so useful!

  42. #42 Greg Laden
    October 30, 2009

    Exactly. If I wore that tee-shirt, I wouldn’t have to drive back home when I’m half way somewhere and remember I left the index card home.

  44. #44 Marek
    October 30, 2009

    I humbly recommend one of my own, the “Viva la Evolution” Raptor…

    http://www.cafepress.ca/trilobite/6407407

  45. #45 José
    October 30, 2009

    I think you should keep looking until you find a shirt that says you’re a gay, black, atheist, seltzer drinking scientist from New York City. It should also have a picture of Al Gore hugging Kanye West aboard the HMS Beagle on the back.

  46. #46 José
    October 30, 2009

    Or how about an ascent of the linux penguin t-shirt?

  47. #47 Laurie
    October 30, 2009

    I have always liked the T rex eating the Jesus fish emblem.

    http://www.zazzle.com/t_rex_t_shirt_dark-235004904098942433

  48. #48 Mike B
    October 31, 2009

    I’ve always been a fan of Allahsaurus.

  49. #49 JSB
    October 31, 2009

    Some of my favorite science shirts are made by Ray Troll. I’m quite fond of “The Data is in the Strata”, but you may also enjoy “Embrace your Inner Fish” (Darwin holding Tiktaalik rosae).

    Check out his art posters while you are there – “Paleo Fishing Charters” is a favorite.

    http://store.trollart.com/

  50. #50 Nemo
    October 31, 2009

    I’m still trying to find a “Carl Sagan is my Homeboy” shirt like the one Weird Al wore. (There’s one online, but it’s nothing like the one in the video.)

  51. #51 becca
    October 31, 2009

    I’m amused people think evolution shirts are subversive.

    Just wear a pink feather boa. Or at least one of these https://store.feminist.org/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=39

  53. #53 SQB
    November 22, 2009

    So what did you get? If you haven’t picked one yet, I recommend one with a Bad Religion Logo. Even if you’re not into punk, you could at least support their singer, your colleague Greg Graffin.