The following appeared in my inbox today:

Dear Mr. Meh,

It has come to our attention that in a previous entry to your online blog you made several spurious claims about shoes, the wearing of shoes, and exercise. In it you claim, without evidence of any kind, that running shoes are to blame for many of the injuries experienced by runners and other athletes today. You recklessly termed them “boots” and nakedly asserted that the modern running shoe is made for “stomping.”

This is a blatant falsehood and misleading in many ways. The modern running shoe adds additional protection that the feet would otherwise lack. Padded sole material ensure that shock waves are eliminated on hard surfaces such as asphalt and concrete. A molded insole provides necessary support to the arch and prevents the harmful rolling of the ankle that results in mobile feet. The toes are forced upwards and inwards to provide focussed directional support. The heel enables a more natural heel to toe running stride that is not possible with bare feet or in minimalist shoes.

The technology found in the modern running shoe has been developed and improved by the finest minds in coaching, injury prevention, and generalized training over decades. They can and do prevent most of the injuries that would occur in an unshod population, and we are making even more progress as time lapses. Orthotics can also be added to shoes to further prevent movement and to hold the feet as still as possible.

A solid foot is a strong foot. A supported foot is a safe foot. A bound foot is a healthy foot.

It is unnatural to allow the metatarsals, the arches, and other parts to move while running. It is this stress that leads to injury and can be prevented. Appealing to the naturalism fallacy, or any rejection of modern scientific knowledge is irresponsible and dishonest. There exist no peer reviewed scientific studies that would suggest that bare feet are capable of such movement. You are spread false and dangerous information.

The human foot is not designed to function without such support. For the first time in human history we have the ability to learn about their structure enough to correct inherent weaknesses. Finally, we can improve and perfect what nature has failed at. We seek only to prevent an ongoing epidemic of bare foot related injuries that are growing in recent years

We ask you to cease at once shoveling this muck to a credulous readership. We issue this warning in lieu of further action, to include listing your blog on our Online List of Threats on our website, and a possible boycott of your sponsors. We urge you to consult with us in future for accurate podiatric information.

We thank you for your time,
Rachel Bodum
Managing Director
Podiatric Anti-Defamation League