Things We Saw Today: This Ranking of States Has Everyone Mad

There’s no better way to get people mad on social media than a ranking. It really doesn’t matter what you rank, only that you say one thing is better than another, and boom, fight time. It’s a tale as old as the Apple of Discord but that doesn’t make the fights any less brutal or ranking any less annoying. Just take a new ranking of all 50 states that came out today from pollster YouGov which had everyone pretty mad.

For this survey, “1,211 US adults were asked to choose the better of two states from a list of the 50 US states and Washington, D.C. in a series of head-to-head match-ups. The survey was conducted between March 12 – 15, 2021.” The results are … something. Now, I cannot argue at all with number 1, Hawaii. (69% win rate? Nice.) It’s beautiful, peaceful, and just all around one of the best places on earth. So good work there. YouGov also gave Colorado props for recreational marijuana, as well they should.

But number 3 is Virginia? Why? YouGov claims it’s “a destination for American history and ocean coastlines?” But how does that outrank California? Was voter suppression a positive factor for respondents that got Texas and Georgia up there? And as an Oregonian, nothing makes me angrier than seeing us right behind Washington of all places.

Everyone has something to say!

The residents of #48 ranked New Jersey, in particular, are not taking this news well.

What this really tells us is that ranking things is a fools errand … but we also want to know what you think of this ranking, so sound off in the comments!

(via YouGov, Image: YouGov)

Here are some other things we saw today as well.

• Did you say naked Sebastian Stan? (via Pajiba)
• An antique coin found in an orchard may have solved a pirate mystery. (via Smithsonian Magazine)
• Charles Booker is getting closer to challenging Rand Paul. (via Huff Post)
• We live in strange times.
  See more

  At some point, a history book or media textbook or academic tome is going to cover this. Your children will ask you, “Where were you when Steak-Umm had righteous Twitter beef with Neil Degrasse Tyson?” Then your child will say “Steak-Umm bless” as they head to Steak-Umm church. https://t.co/OtJwd4Py9R

  — Chuck Wendig (@ChuckWendig) April 13, 2021

• An ER reunion is on the horizon and yes it will include George Clooney. (via TVLine)
• Should the national parks be returned to Native Americans? (via The Atlantic)
• A Lightsaber that can actually expand and retract like in the movies? (via Gizmodo)
• SOB!
  See more

  “We’ll say hello again…” 💔 #WandaVision pic.twitter.com/k0jOIoxsA3

  — Alice X. Zhang (@alicexz) April 13, 2021

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Jessica Mason

Jessica Mason (she/her) is a writer based in Portland, Oregon with a focus on fandom, queer representation, and amazing women in film and television. She's a trained lawyer and opera singer as well as a mom and author.

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