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?
Politics
Comments
I don't suppose xkcd's "Science: it works bitches" t-shirt would appeal?
http://store.xkcd.com/xkcd/#Science
Posted by: Paul F | October 30, 2009 11:17 AM
Whoa... we are off to a great start!!!!
Posted by: Greg Laden | October 30, 2009 11:19 AM
You should get this shirt and wear it next time you go to the gym.
Posted by: djfav | October 30, 2009 11:24 AM
Browse t-shirt hell for a while. I'm sure they have something you'd like.
Posted by: Ben Zvan | October 30, 2009 11:30 AM
I recommend the Darwin-as-Obama shirt:
http://www.zazzle.com/darwin2009/
Posted by: DCBob | October 30, 2009 11:35 AM
Four options:
"My ancestors survived the end-Cretaceous extinction and all I got was this lousy tee-shirt"
"Evolution: How can 100 bazillion antibiotic-resilient bacteria be wrong?
"Product of Evolution"
"Fine, I evolved, you didn't"
Posted by: VampDuc | October 30, 2009 11:37 AM
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
Posted by: Nox | October 30, 2009 11:38 AM
Can't forget these.
Posted by: Stephanie Z | October 30, 2009 11:39 AM
I think many of these would be awesome:
Teach the Controversy
Posted by: Kierra | October 30, 2009 11:40 AM
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".
Posted by: Joshua Zelinsky | October 30, 2009 11:42 AM
"Evolve Already!"
Posted by: mk | October 30, 2009 11:47 AM
I like XKCD's "Stand Back - I'm Going to Try Science" shirt. I've had that one spark a few interesting conversations.
Posted by: Jay | October 30, 2009 12:08 PM
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.
Posted by: Mike V | October 30, 2009 12:13 PM
testing comment system
Posted by: name | October 30, 2009 12:22 PM
Gun control means ....
http://www.cafepress.com/+gun_control_white_tshirt,51704917
Posted by: Odin | October 30, 2009 12:36 PM
"Contrary to Belief" on the back
"Armed and Dangerous Liberal" on the front.
Posted by: Irene | October 30, 2009 12:37 PM
Viva la Evolución! by Busted Tees. Or check out shirt.woot.
Posted by: SQB | October 30, 2009 12:41 PM
Many Good ones here:
http://evolvefish.com/fish/shirts.html
Posted by: Don | October 30, 2009 1:00 PM
"Voting Member of the Donner Party"
Posted by: Paul D. | October 30, 2009 1:06 PM
http://store.richarddawkins.net/products/crocoduck-t-shirt
Posted by: epe | October 30, 2009 1:23 PM
Gun nut classic:
"The NRA Called ... You're Fired!"
Posted by: Pete | October 30, 2009 1:25 PM
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.
Posted by: noel | October 30, 2009 1:28 PM
I've always liked Back off, I'm doing science!", from Retropolis.
Posted by: OmegaMom | October 30, 2009 1:33 PM
98% Chimp
http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts-apparel/unisex/sciencemath/9899/?cpg=ab
Posted by: L.F. | October 30, 2009 1:45 PM
http://www.cafepress.com/antireligion
Excellent t-shirts.
Posted by: Katharine | October 30, 2009 1:49 PM
http://www.evolvefish.com/fish/product4241.html
Posted by: Katharine | October 30, 2009 1:51 PM
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.
Posted by: katydid13 | October 30, 2009 1:53 PM
I'll send you one of mine:
"Genius in a World of Idiots"
Posted by: JL | October 30, 2009 1:57 PM
HEALTH CARE FOR MOST!
Posted by: Carlyle K. | October 30, 2009 2:00 PM
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
Posted by: MikeMa | October 30, 2009 2:03 PM
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
Posted by: Lorax | October 30, 2009 2:06 PM
Robot Evolution (see link above)
Posted by: Some guy | October 30, 2009 2:11 PM
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
Posted by: Donna | October 30, 2009 2:33 PM
The following tee shirt has been banned:
http://www.momlogic.com/2009/09/band_shirt_evolution_intelligent_design.php
Consider it.
Posted by: Sally | October 30, 2009 3:10 PM
This is the one you are looking for, dear:
http://www.zazzle.com/evolution_fish_we_have_the_fossils_we_win_tshirt-235329872728934673
Posted by: Denise | October 30, 2009 3:14 PM
how about this one?
http://www.topatoco.com/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=TO&Product_Code=SMBC-MYMOTHER&Category_Code=SMBC-SHIRTS
Posted by: daedaluss2u | October 30, 2009 3:33 PM
someecards.com are awesome, and I recently got this from them:
http://www.someecards.com/store/product.php?productid=16455
Posted by: davef | October 30, 2009 4:32 PM
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.
Posted by: Kitty'sBitch | October 30, 2009 4:59 PM
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.
Posted by: Bradley W. Schenck | October 30, 2009 5:04 PM
Bradley, that Klaatu Barada Nikto T-Shirt is pretty cool.
Posted by: Greg Laden | October 30, 2009 5:20 PM
And so useful!
Posted by: Bradley W. Schenck | October 30, 2009 5:33 PM
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.
Posted by: Greg Laden | October 30, 2009 5:39 PM
I kinda like this one...it's extra relevant to Minnesota cause Charles Schultz was from there
http://www.topatoco.com/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=TO&Product_Code=DC-DARWIN&Category_Code=DC
That being said, they have a few other good shirts:
http://www.topatoco.com/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=TO&Product_Code=ASW-TROUBLE&Category_Code=ASW
http://www.topatoco.com/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=TO&Product_Code=CG-PFFT&Category_Code=CG
http://www.topatoco.com/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=TO&Product_Code=WIGU-JREX&Category_Code=WIGU
Posted by: Rob | October 30, 2009 5:44 PM
I humbly recommend one of my own, the "Viva la Evolution" Raptor...
http://www.cafepress.ca/trilobite/6407407
Posted by: Marek | October 30, 2009 6:34 PM
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.
Posted by: José | October 30, 2009 6:37 PM
Or how about an ascent of the linux penguin t-shirt?
Posted by: José | October 30, 2009 8:18 PM
I have always liked the T rex eating the Jesus fish emblem.
http://www.zazzle.com/t_rex_t_shirt_dark-235004904098942433
Posted by: Laurie | October 30, 2009 10:09 PM
I've always been a fan of Allahsaurus.
Posted by: Mike B | October 31, 2009 12:44 AM
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/
Posted by: JSB | October 31, 2009 2:46 AM
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.)
Posted by: Nemo | October 31, 2009 4:38 AM
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
Posted by: becca | October 31, 2009 9:12 AM
http://www.redbubble.com/people/kaptainmyke/t-shirts/3544730-1-science-proves-others-are-dumb-funny-t-shirt
short and to the point
Posted by: jake | November 2, 2009 7:03 PM