Letter to the Editor

December 11, 2015

Editor

The Economist

25 St. James Street

LONDON

SW1A 1HG

RE: Novelty Socks

I disagree with the statement, “Nobody changed the world with novelty socks,” on the mailing cover of the December 5th-11th 2015 edition of The Economist. I am personally familiar with one person’s world that has been changed by a wild array of hosiery and all who know him are better for it.

When he was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer, he decided he needed something to help him to remember to be happy. As the disease and treatments progressed, others followed him in fanciful footwear. His siblings were the first to pick up on the trend and they quickly amassed a large and varied collection of novelty socks between them. A group phone chat was even organized so they could share daily pictures of each new pair as they were acquired. (So eager were they to show off their spectacularly dressed feet, a rule needed to be established for appropriate times to share, scattered as they were across many time zones.)

The extended family soon joined in the earnest folly. Clinicians and doctors in two states are participating. More will undoubtedly follow. As we dress each morning, we are reminded to be happy and grateful for each other. We have been brought closer together in our common goal to see this man and his family through this journey and support them as best we can.

Can novelty socks change the world? Why not? They changed us. No matter the end of his story, we will have the socks to help us to remember to be happy, grateful, and supportive to each other. I say we give it a try.

Sincerely,

Lynn C Dot