Men: (and Women) Are You 5'11" or 6 Feet Tall?

Men: (and Women)Are You 5’11” or 6 Feet Tall? (Refreshing session with the MJ BizCon in NV.)

I started my day by tuning into a podcast video on YouTube while preparing myself to leave the house for my Osteo Bone-Builders class. This class is part of the RSVP or Retired Senior Volunteer Program in Oswego County, Central NY, which receives support from both the state and federal levels. I’ve been an instructor for the class, averaging about 10 people, for seven years.

Specifically designed for individuals aged 55 and above, the Osteo Bone-Builders class is a one-hour bone-strengthening exercise regimen developed by Tufts Medical University. We use weights in our hands and wrapped around our ankles to build muscles and strengthen our bones, which tend to get brittle as we age. Sucks, but that’s the way it is. Currently, I have a six-pound weight in each hand and eight-pounders wrapped around each ankle. It was a lot more before COVID. But enough of that…

Let’s dive into the intriguing topic of height discrepancies.

When it comes to stating one’s height, especially among men, there seems to be a tendency to round up. While the average height of a man, according to various search engines, is 5’9″, individuals measuring 5’11” often claim to be 6 feet tall. This phenomenon prompts reflection on how our perception of age and measurements changes over time.

In my childhood and during my son’s growth years, there was a trend of adding “and a half” to one’s age, reflecting a desire to appear a bit older. You asked how old he was, and he would respond, “I’m 4 and a half.” Always looking toward being a little older.

It’s just the opposite as we get older.

Men and women, too, are no different. When asked about their age, we get younger. Instead of being 65, I’m now in my early 60s. I don’t have to dip into my IRA quite yet. But Skip, my husband, will by next summer. The same phenomenon happens with our weight.

Returning to my day, I listened to the podcast recorded in Las Vegas, Nevada’s MJBizCon, focusing on potency levels in branding, packaging, and selling cannabis products. MJBizCon featured 135 speakers, attracting attendees from across the US and the world to explore innovations, developments, and regulatory proposals in the $34 billion US-regulated marijuana industry.

Because I have been writing for clients in the CBD/Cannabis industry, I wanted to know more. I don’t want any kind of retribution if I promote a company that is misrepresenting itself or its products and becomes entangled in a lawsuit.

A highlight of the conference was Jill Carreiro, a Global Cannabis Science and Growth Strategist and Vice President at Orange Photonics She delivered an informative talk on the [LightLab 3 machine] —a portable device built by Orange Photonics for analyzing the potency content of cannabis products.

The portable machine utilizes High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) to separate cannabinoids before quantification using multi-wavelength UV spectroscopy. This precise measurement ensures accurate THC (or CBD) content, preventing mislabeling and the associated financial losses for businesses.

Do I have a clue what that means? No way. I understand the principle, just not how it breaks down the light waves into readable data.

Jill pointed out that many products in the marketplaces are mislabeled, leading to increased costs for businesses and consumers.

The LightLab 3 machine enables businesses to test their crops at different growth stages, optimizing harvest times and providing accurate THC content information. This accuracy, verified by lab processing, saves companies thousands of dollars by preventing overpayment for crops with lower THC content than initially reported.
In the cannabis industry’s uncertain landscape, mislabeling potency content is not tolerated in many states with recreational cannabis.

Laws and fines are in place to curb such practices. An article by Chris Roberts highlights the issue of routine THC inflation and data manipulation in marijuana lab testing. “Marijuana Lab-testing Analysis Finds Routine THC Inflation, Data Manipulation.”

To foster public acceptance and support federal endorsement, it’s crucial to ensure transparency in the cannabis marketplace. Regular examinations of labs and cross-checking storefronts for accurate THC levels are essential to maintain integrity in product sales. Just as we want individuals to embrace their true height, honesty in product labeling is vital for the cannabis industry’s credibility and growth.

AND: We want our people who are 5’11” to say, “I’m 5’11.” And then leave it be.

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Understanding Height Perception

Height perception plays a significant role in how individuals present themselves in social situations. For many, the way they perceive their height can influence their confidence and interactions with others. This perception often prompts people, particularly men, to round up their height, as there is a social tendency to associate greater height with positive attributes such as strength and authority.

In a society where physical appearance often impacts personal and professional opportunities, height rounding becomes more than just a personal quirk; it can reflect deeper societal values. The impulse to claim to be taller than one actually is transcends mere vanity and speaks to the desire for acceptance. Thus, while saying "I'm 6 feet tall" when one is actually 5'11" might seem harmless, it reveals a broader cultural narrative about self-image and societal expectation.

Trends in Height Representation

Throughout history, various trends have surfaced regarding how individuals represent their heights, especially among younger generations. The phenomenon of adjusting one's age by adding fractions has evolved similarly in height claims, where being "6 feet" is often a benchmark that people aspire to. This trend, while potentially amusing, reflects a larger cultural fixation on appearance and the desirability of height.

Interestingly, this behavior is not limited to only men; women also often adjust their height perceptions. In many cases, women aspire to align closely with societal standards of beauty, which sometimes correlate with height. This duality in height representation showcases a shared desire among genders to conform to established ideals, thereby fostering a dialogue about the implications of such perceptions in everyday interactions.

The Role of Authenticity

As discussions about authenticity become increasingly common in various social and professional spheres, the topic of height also merits consideration. Encouraging individuals to embrace their true height can promote a healthier body image and foster genuine connections with others. By normalizing the conversation around height, individuals can feel liberated from societal pressures that dictate certain standards.