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geekery

Riese’s Team Pick: The United States of Shame

Riese
—
Jan 25, 2011
COMMENT (88)

I’m from Michigan but I live in California so I don’t know what’s wrong with me. What’s wrong with you? This website explains how the math was done.

?

COMMENT (88)
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Riese

Riese is the co-founder of Autostraddle.com as well as an award-winning writer, video-maker and LGBTQ+ Marketing consultant. Her work has appeared in nine books, magazines including Marie Claire and Curve, and all over the web including Nylon, Queerty, Nerve, Bitch, Emily Books and Jezebel. She had a very popular personal blog once upon a time, and then she recapped The L Word, and then she had the idea to make this place, and now here we all are! In 2016, she was nominated for a GLAAD Award for Outstanding Digital Journalism. She grew up in Michigan, lost her mind in New York, and now lives in Los Angeles. Follow her on twitter and instagram.

Riese has written 3356 articles for us.

quizzes

Only The Most Advanced Gay WNBA Fans Will Ace This WNBA Trivia Quiz

Riese — Oct 15, 2025
gender

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Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya — Oct 14, 2025

Comments

  • Kaylise
    January 25, 2011 at 8:18 am

    Or is my state the best at binge drinking? That’s the real question.

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    • Kelsey
      January 25, 2011 at 4:03 pm

      Here at UW-Madison we’re learning more than reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic…

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      • hequa
        January 25, 2011 at 8:01 pm

        as someone who has recently moved to Madison, i can attest to the fact that this is the drunkest city/state

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      • Lafitte
        January 26, 2011 at 1:56 pm

        YES. From visits to neighboring Wisconsin/Milwaukee, I can confirm that Wisconsinites are NOT AFRAID TO GET YOU TRASHED.

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    • Dina
      January 25, 2011 at 5:35 pm

      Exactly… I think my state should be *best* at bestiality. (Which it is. Stupid Enumclaw.)

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  • macmac89
    January 25, 2011 at 8:36 am

    I bet if we looked, my state would also be best at terrible, pothole-ridden major highways, which contributes to our current dominance in the field of motorcycle crashes. No matter, Virginia’s still the best.

    1607, BITCHESSSSSS

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    • sophie
      January 25, 2011 at 9:27 am

      oh god… I-95…

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    • JC
      January 25, 2011 at 3:46 pm

      YES. There is no single road, highway or not, in Virginia that does not have at least one hole that stretches 2 feet across.

      Also, failed my permit test for the first time because I didn’t know what percentage of VA automobile deaths were motorcyclists. 50%, in case anyone is curious.

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      • Sylvatica
        January 26, 2011 at 10:17 pm

        Maybe that’s our excuse in Massachusetts, too – we’re bad drivers because we’re swerving to avoid potholes the size of SUVs?

        Probably not…

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    • Missy
      January 27, 2011 at 3:35 am

      gotta go throgh NC, chica…just sayin. 65 mph? 70 mph? who knows, who cares. They tax the hell out of us for “road maintenanace” so you’d think they’d have I-95 all nice and smooth (federal, state, who cares…I’m paying for it, pave the damn thing).

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      • Missy
        January 27, 2011 at 4:20 am

        wow. can’t “sentence properly.” “through” & “road maintenance”

        …i blame the type gnomes.

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  • Katelyn
    January 25, 2011 at 8:57 am

    Corruption FTW!!!!!!! I was hoping for Tomfoolery, but I’ll take what I can get.

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  • checkeredpaint
    January 25, 2011 at 9:05 am

    Somehow I doubt that California’s only top in AIR pollution.

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  • Rachel
    January 25, 2011 at 9:12 am

    “Nerdiest State” sounds more like it should belong on the “United States of Awesome” map… the title was based on Ohio having the largest number of library visits per capita. Since when is it shameful to go to the library? Totally moving to Ohio.

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    • jj
      January 25, 2011 at 10:39 am

      I had this same thought when I looked at the map. My nerd heart is swelling with Ohio pride. And we really do have great libraries here!

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      • Laura
        January 25, 2011 at 11:11 am

        It’s true, our libraries are awesome! Despite the fact that I didn’t really think gay people existed until I was 17, I learned about trans things when I was 12 from a book on a featured table in the children’s section.

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      • Stout
        January 25, 2011 at 11:18 am

        Considering some of the things on that map, I’ll take nerdiest state.

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    • Tiana
      January 25, 2011 at 7:18 pm

      I would suggest not moving to Ohio.

      But the library visits thing IS cool.

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    • Riese
      January 25, 2011 at 7:45 pm

      i have some questions about this situation with ohio

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      • Liz
        January 25, 2011 at 11:31 pm

        Yes, you can get your fill of nerdy gay girls there. All the nerdy gay girls you could ever want.

        I don’t know that there is any other relevent question to be asked and answered.

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    • Dani
      January 25, 2011 at 8:57 pm

      I thought the same thing. If that’s all they could come up with out of the things on the list, it seems like a nice place.

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  • wallow14
    January 25, 2011 at 9:15 am

    I’m pretty sure if California’s air pollution is the worst that one day our infertility and poor health will also be the worst. LMFAO @ New Mexico for being the most anti-social.

    Also, is there much difference between alcoholism and binge drinking?

    AlsoAlso, how do you even vouch for ugliness?

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  • Cat
    January 25, 2011 at 10:12 am

    I’m going to guess their definition of ‘worst at abortion’ is not the same as mine…

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  • Emma
    January 25, 2011 at 10:53 am

    Washington is worst at bestiality? Really? based on 4 reported cases in 2010.
    also hey Riese, I’m from Michigan too! And luckily, I’m not unemployed.

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  • sCubed
    January 25, 2011 at 11:00 am

    Anyone else amused at the incongruity of Utah winning at having the highest rate of porn subscriptions?

    resisting.religiously.insensitive.comment.

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    • leah2188
      January 25, 2011 at 3:17 pm

      Don’t resist! As a former Mormon, I relish that fact. They’re so sexually repressed all the people probably have secret porn dungeons in their basements with rules similar to fight club: “Rule number one: We do not talk about porn dungeons!”

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      • Claire
        January 25, 2011 at 5:44 pm

        #2 – The second rule of Porn Dungeon is, you DO NOT talk about Porn Dungeon.
        #3 – If someone says “Jesus”, goes limp, faps out, the porn is over.
        #4 – Two people to a computer.
        #5 – One video at a time.
        #6 – No shirts, no shoes.
        #7 – Watching will go on as long as it has to.
        #8 – If this is your first night at Porn Dungeon, you have to watch.

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      • Manic Tragedy
        January 25, 2011 at 10:10 pm

        YAY! I have yet to find another girl who can totally twist the rules of fight club into damn near anything not nearly relevant!
        I heart you.
        Deeply.

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      • Claire
        January 26, 2011 at 6:48 pm

        <3 Thank you! Fight Club FTW.

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    • middlemuse
      January 25, 2011 at 7:23 pm

      Also . . . seriously, is that the biggest problem Utah has?

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      • diver
        January 25, 2011 at 8:17 pm

        no

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      • Petra
        January 27, 2011 at 2:17 am

        No the biggest problem Utah has is Mormons.

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    • Dani
      January 25, 2011 at 8:58 pm

      Yes. Very, very amused.

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  • Xan
    January 25, 2011 at 12:34 pm

    I am not at ALL shocked that Wisconsinites binge drink. On Wisconsin!

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  • MsNJS
    January 25, 2011 at 12:42 pm

    It’s funny how the Mormon State has the most porn usage. I don’t think porn usage is a bad thing but whatevs.

    And as a Texan I would like to say that I graduated high school and college.

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  • Roxy2
    January 25, 2011 at 12:43 pm

    So I’m not from Maine but in their defense, the label “Dumbest State” is based on SAT scores. With the rankings of the top SAT scores, every state in the top 10 has participation rates between 3% and 7%. Maine has the highest participation rate at 92% so a lot more people are taking it, regardless of their plans post-graduation.

    On the other hand, I would have to agree that Massachusetts having the worst drivers is an objective statement.

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  • hanna
    January 25, 2011 at 12:54 pm

    On the bright(?) side for North Carolina, we’re pretty awesome when it comes to barbecue, good public universities, and turning two inches of snow into thirty-car pileups! That last one’s should totally count as an art form.

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    • Dani
      January 25, 2011 at 9:00 pm

      If they’re calling for snow, you won’t find a single loaf of bread or carton of milk left in the grocery store. Meanwhile, there are only flurries coming down outside. Our ability to panic over nothing is an art form.

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    • diver
      January 25, 2011 at 9:01 pm

      You also have the best wreck diving outside of New England.

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  • Marika
    January 25, 2011 at 1:08 pm

    I live in Indiana right now! Definitely least green state. (sigh). I’m from Michigan (we suck at jobs) and went to school in Minnesota.

    Seriously, tornadoes? I mean I know MN gets some, but…wouldn’t you pick like the fricking cold weather? Massive piles of snow?

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  • Mason
    January 25, 2011 at 1:25 pm

    bankruptcy? huh. I would say Missouri is worst at deer running in front of your car. hitting deer sucks. :P

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    • Tracy
      January 26, 2011 at 2:11 am

      Well, yeah, I’ve heard that’s bad, but now we are getting mountain lions in state…maybe they can build up and kill some deer!

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  • Amanda
    January 25, 2011 at 1:28 pm

    WOOOO CORRUPTION HELLZ YEAH BITCHES!

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    • Katelyn
      January 25, 2011 at 5:47 pm

      Maybe if we grease the wheels a little bit we can get riese to photoshop that to say Most Awesome.

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      • Amanda
        January 25, 2011 at 7:04 pm

        Hahaha, I will grease all I can. What area are you from? I’m from Knoxville.

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  • Grace_B
    January 25, 2011 at 2:07 pm

    Ok, so either someone on Autostraddle is a redditor or someone is posting Autostraddle links to Reddit… I would check the timestamps to be sure but I can’t seem to find this post anywhere. Intriguing.

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    • sCubed
      January 25, 2011 at 2:40 pm

      It was posted on Jezebel last night, which I suspect is the common link.

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      • Grace_B
        January 28, 2011 at 6:18 pm

        Ah, makes sense.

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    • terracottatoes
      January 25, 2011 at 6:58 pm

      ಠ_ಠ

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      • diver
        January 25, 2011 at 7:45 pm

        |||||
        @ o >
        C
        | |
        – V –

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      • diver
        January 25, 2011 at 7:46 pm

        wtf

        lol.

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      • Grace_B
        January 28, 2011 at 6:19 pm

        Oh right, forgot.

        REDDIT GAVE ME A VIRUS!

        (am I good now?)

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  • wasteunit
    January 25, 2011 at 2:24 pm

    I was born nerdy, and now I’m known for my arson skillz. Sweet!

    I always heard about the great powder in Colorado, but I thought they were talking about snow.

    Those aren’t homeless people in Oregon. They’re hipsters, and they dress that way because it’s ironic.

    Also, I think the phrase “worst at” is a little confusing. Like, I feel being worst at rape should be a good thing.

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    • leah2188
      January 25, 2011 at 3:21 pm

      Ha I was thinking the exact same thing about Oregon.

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  • Luisa
    January 25, 2011 at 2:27 pm

    Why is “abortion” there?????! And how do they measure “dumbness”?

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    • diver
      January 25, 2011 at 7:58 pm

      they put you in a maze with some cheese down the other end

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    • diver
      January 25, 2011 at 8:57 pm

      Or they do it like they do with research chimps. You’re put in front of a red button and a blue button. You press one, and if a bell goes off, you get to smoke.

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  • Mix
    January 25, 2011 at 2:52 pm

    Um, my state is on there for violence against females. I’m not sure how I feel about this…. I better move.

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    • diver
      January 25, 2011 at 7:52 pm

      or learn to fight back

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      • Mix
        February 2, 2011 at 1:30 am

        eh, i’m a peaceful person, i think i’ll just move.

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  • Allison
    January 25, 2011 at 2:56 pm

    I would have thought IL would be the most corrupt state. But maybe, by robbery, they mean “performed by politicians?” Maybe? IDK.

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    • Jon
      January 25, 2011 at 4:43 pm

      Hahahahahahaha …

      It’s funny cause it’s probs true.

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  • leah2188
    January 25, 2011 at 3:21 pm

    Of course Alabama is something boring like strokes. I’m just surprised it wasn’t incest.

    Suck it (my former home of) Washington State! I knew y’all banged more animals than we did!

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  • Maggie
    January 25, 2011 at 4:33 pm

    Florida is spot on (I’m not actually Maggie)

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    • samsa
      January 25, 2011 at 8:09 pm

      Awesome.

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  • e
    January 25, 2011 at 5:58 pm

    how is “oldest state” a bad thing? also texas is bad at high school graduations. SO BORING, SO LONG

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    • diver
      January 25, 2011 at 7:51 pm

      That descriptor could apply to high school generally.

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  • Rachel
    January 25, 2011 at 6:50 pm

    i am so, so grateful that we are “worst drivers” and not “worst enablers of child abuse within the Catholic Church.”

    on that note: fuck you, pedestrians.

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    • Alice
      January 25, 2011 at 9:43 pm

      At first I read that as pedostrians.

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    • Triple D
      January 26, 2011 at 12:45 am

      When the thing you’re worst at is driving, you’re not doing so bad compared to a lot of America.

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    • Sylvatica
      January 26, 2011 at 10:22 pm

      Rachel, the whole deal with driving in Boston is that you HATE ALL CARS FOREVER when you are a pedestrian, and think ALL PEDESTRIANS ARE FUCKING IDIOTS when you are driving.

      It’s simple.

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  • diver
    January 25, 2011 at 7:15 pm

    three cheers for Idaho

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  • RibbitRibbit
    January 25, 2011 at 7:24 pm

    Wait a sec…Washington’s the state of bestiality?
    I hadn’t noticed.

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    • Alice
      January 25, 2011 at 9:45 pm

      Ask your frog.

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  • samsa
    January 25, 2011 at 8:08 pm

    I don’t know why, but I love that Oklahoma has the most female criminals.

    Also I’m thinking North Dakota’s ugliest residents may be a tad subjective, especially since there’s only like five people in that state.

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    • Lafitte
      January 26, 2011 at 1:59 pm

      …And all five of them must be pretty ugly.

      Loading…
  • Dani
    January 25, 2011 at 8:53 pm

    The title of this article made me laugh my ass off.

    Also, more reasons why I need to motherfucking move. Going to school to become a teacher in a state with the worst teacher salary in the country sounds like a freaking terrible idea. Gah.

    Loading…
  • Jaen
    January 25, 2011 at 10:51 pm

    In the tab next to this one, I have some porn loading. Hell yes, I love contributing to my state’s claim to shame!

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  • Jules
    January 26, 2011 at 12:21 am

    So I was going to get all excited about Ohio being so nerdy, but then I remembered a list I just read of the worst cities for bedbugs and three of the top ten were in Ohio. Kind of a buzzkill, sorry folks.

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  • sapphicsass
    January 26, 2011 at 1:19 am

    What are we stroking in Alabama?

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  • Laneia
    January 26, 2011 at 1:58 am

    wait. if this is what people in the state are worst at, and not good or best at, does that mean, in a state of failures, i’m succeeding?

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    • Dani
      January 26, 2011 at 9:19 am

      yes! way to turn that into a positive.

      Loading…
  • nina
    January 26, 2011 at 10:50 am

    Oh, thank God I read the stats at the bottom, because the image/title alone would imply that the residents of Washington, generally, are the worst AT bestiality.

    Loading…
  • m
    January 26, 2011 at 8:02 pm

    man, i knew louisiana would be something awful, but gonnorhea?? jesus.

    Loading…
  • Robin
    January 26, 2011 at 10:56 pm

    Yea, that daily commute hoping on a NYC subway is real hard on us city kids. What a tough life. ;)

    Loading…
  • Freddie
    January 27, 2011 at 1:17 am

    Well we could do a whole lot worse than “daily commute.” Though that one time my tire almost fell off I was actually in New Jersey… hm…

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  • gnoxis
    January 28, 2011 at 5:15 am

    This makes me want to cry.

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  • Sarah R.
    August 8, 2011 at 12:05 am

    Daily Commute is a bitch.

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Comments Closed

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