Is the Geometry of the Game of Pool Really Perfect?

[sfleinen]

Folks:

I'm going to catch a ton of flack for this, but what actually is the point of this thread? To me, it looks -- first, and primarily -- like an advertisement link for CJ's "Touch of Inside" product, with -- second -- some fortune-cookie "story" (with no end-goal or moral) wrapped around it. (Presumably a disguise to shoehorn another advertisement onto the Main forum?)

I mean, I really like CJ's participation here on the forums, and I consider him a treasured resource. But the subtly-disguised and not-so-subtly-disguised product ads, that are better placed in the Wanted / For Sale subforum? (Which is the second-most-active forum here, btw; and additionally, is specifically visited by people wanting to buy.)

-Sean <-- hoo-boy, better get the Kevlar suit on!

 

[jt1]

Folks:

I'm going to catch a ton of flack for this, but what actually is the point of this thread? To me, it looks -- first, and primarily -- like an advertisement link for CJ's "Touch of Inside" product, with -- second -- some fortune-cookie "story" (with no end-goal or moral) wrapped around it. (Presumably a disguise to shoehorn another advertisement onto the Main forum?)

I mean, I really like CJ's participation here on the forums, and I consider him a treasured resource. But the subtly-disguised and not-so-subtly-disguised product ads, that are better placed in the Wanted / For Sale subforum? (Which is the second-most-active forum here, btw; and additionally, is specifically visited by people wanting to buy.)

-Sean <-- hoo-boy, better get the Kevlar suit on!

Sean, I think you need to relax. He told a couple of stories. I, for one, liked reading them. I don't feel like I was being told to buy anything. And I would not have gone to the for sale section to buy them.

What difference does it make anyway.....

 

[Taco]

Folks:

I'm going to catch a ton of flack for this, but what actually is the point of this thread? To me, it looks -- first, and primarily -- like an advertisement link for CJ's "Touch of Inside" product, with -- second -- some fortune-cookie "story" (with no end-goal or moral) wrapped around it. (Presumably a disguise to shoehorn another advertisement onto the Main forum?)

I mean, I really like CJ's participation here on the forums, and I consider him a treasured resource. But the subtly-disguised and not-so-subtly-disguised product ads, that are better placed in the Wanted / For Sale subforum? (Which is the second-most-active forum here, btw; and additionally, is specifically visited by people wanting to buy.)

-Sean <-- hoo-boy, better get the Kevlar suit on!

I agree. I have no business questioning CJ’s intentions – for all I know they could be completely sincere - but the story itself is a head-scratcher, a Zen koan on acid. As someone already pointed out, if you factor in all the variables, the geometry is far from perfect. That’s one huge reason why pool is so difficult. If the geometry were perfect, it would be much easier. And “The Game is the Teacher” could be applied to anything in life. If you do something enough times – badminton, knitting, putting on your socks - you (hopefully) learn.

 

[CJ Wiley]

I think we all have something to offer that we've learned

I agree. I have no business questioning CJ’s intentions – for all I know they could be completely sincere - but the story itself is a head-scratcher, a Zen koan on acid. As someone already pointed out, if you factor in all the variables, the geometry is far from perfect. That’s one huge reason why pool is so difficult. If the geometry were perfect, it would be much easier. And “The Game is the Teacher” could be applied to anything in life. If you do something enough times – badminton, knitting, putting on your socks - you (hopefully) learn.

Yes, "The Game is the Teacher" is really about Life ....Life's (and the Game's) sometimes about thinking outside the box and many times that's where our personal answers really are. My incentive is to help alter the "conventional perception" of what the game of pool is. It seems to be stuck and cycling down because of a lot of factors and pointing fingers isn't helpful, but "poking" a bit sometimes is.

Do I aggregation some people in this process? We all do, and this is not my intention and not nearly as bad as standing by and not making any attempt to share knowledge that's from a life time of competition and "unusual" experiences.

I would encourage you to share some of yours too, I have many people sending me very personal accounts of their experiences in personal emails. Some are not to be shared, and some are. I think we all have something to offer that we've learned in a manner that no one else could have.....don't you agree?

 

[CJ Wiley]

playing and thinking more about the mysteries of pool

Folks:

I'm going to catch a ton of flack for this, but what actually is the point of this thread? To me, it looks -- first, and primarily -- like an advertisement link for CJ's "Touch of Inside" product, with -- second -- some fortune-cookie "story" (with no end-goal or moral) wrapped around it. (Presumably a disguise to shoehorn another advertisement onto the Main forum?)

I mean, I really like CJ's participation here on the forums, and I consider him a treasured resource. But the subtly-disguised and not-so-subtly-disguised product ads, that are better placed in the Wanted / For Sale subforum? (Which is the second-most-active forum here, btw; and additionally, is specifically visited by people wanting to buy.)

-Sean <-- hoo-boy, better get the Kevlar suit on!

Maybe, Sean, it's a cleverly disguised way to get people thinking about and maybe even playing more pool. That would certainly be a "travesty" hmmmm, I wonder

No one is taking offense by what you said, there's many interesting topics posted today, I'm sure there's many more interesting than how the geometric shapes in the game of pool are perfect.....you do agree they're perfect don't you?

 

[sfleinen]

Maybe, Sean, it's a cleverly disguised way to get people thinking about and maybe even playing more pool. That would certainly be a "travesty" hmmmm, I wonder

No one is taking offense by what you said, there's many interesting topics posted today, I'm sure there's many more interesting than how the geometric shapes in the game of pool are perfect.....you do agree they're perfect don't you?

Hi CJ:

First, you should already know that I try to support you in your "pool education" efforts any way I can. Remember when I created a thread with my experience with your "hammer stroke" -- and detailed instructions on how to perform it? And also that I'm trying to take time out to practice with TOI for the same reason?

Those that are essentially getting on my back in the other thread about marketing efforts have short memories -- or, my anti-marketing reputation comes first and foremost to people when they see my screenname. Meh, as Popeye says, "I yam what I yam."

As for the angles and shapes in pool being perfect, of course I agree -- pool *IS* a geometric sport. You are dealing with perfect spheres, on a perfectly flat surface, longitudinal / lateral rails, pockets placed in geometrically perfect places on that surface, with all "angles" on that table (natural, perceived, or otherwise) being geometric constants. Calling pool "geometrically perfect" is like calling competitive target shooting "a highly accurate sport." I get what you're saying, but it's patently obvious at the same time.

I guess I'd feel differently (and would've posted differently, if at all) if the thread didn't have this "nebulous air" about it, with the apparent "resolution" being a link to your product. Maybe "I'm just not getting it," and your meaning goes far deeper. I would welcome you cluing those of us (like myself) in on what the intent is.

-Sean

 

[CJ Wiley]

not sure who "needs" this bit of information, just felt inclined to share it

Am I the only one who had a vision of CJ pushing around little phenolic footballs on a pool table?

I think we've finally figured out how to take the game to the next level and really make it a challenge for the pros.

That would certainly make pool extremely challenging.

One thing this reminds me of, and I've mentioned it in passing, but I stress it in my private lessons. I DO NOT look at the pool balls like they're round, but rather two dimensional. When I look at them as round my mind doesn't "connect the dots" to create the angles. I don't really "aim", I "align" the cue ball to the object balls.

I can't speak for all champion players of course, however, the ones I have talked to about this are the same way. We basically look at the balls like they're "flat" and/or

"one dimensional" and when I'm running balls playing straight pool or one pocket I look at the "ball clusters" as mass. When I say "mass" I mean like just solid masses that create their own shape and size.

We know old timers like JERSEY RED that told us he looked at the balls like they were "trees to be avoided" when running out playing 9 Ball - not sure who "needs" this bit of information, just felt inclined to share it with those that "may" or actually do. It makes a huge difference in my game, who knows, maybe it will in yours as well.

 

[CJ Wiley]

a different perception of pocket billiard reality

Hi CJ:

First, you should already know that I try to support you in your "pool education" efforts any way I can. Remember when I created a thread with my experience with your "hammer stroke" -- and detailed instructions on how to perform it? And also that I'm trying to take time out to practice with TOI for the same reason?

Those that are essentially getting on my back in the other thread about marketing efforts have short memories -- or, my anti-marketing reputation comes first and foremost to people when they see my screenname. Meh, as Popeye says, "I yam what I yam."

As for the angles and shapes in pool being perfect, of course I agree -- pool *IS* a geometric sport. You are dealing with perfect spheres, on a perfectly flat surface, longitudinal / lateral rails, pockets placed in geometrically perfect places on that surface, with all "angles" on that table (natural, perceived, or otherwise) being geometric constants. Calling pool "geometrically perfect" is like calling competitive target shooting "a highly accurate sport." I get what you're saying, but it's patently obvious at the same time.

I guess I'd feel differently (and would've posted differently, if at all) if the thread didn't have this "nebulous air" about it, with the apparent "resolution" being a link to your product. Maybe "I'm just not getting it," and your meaning goes far deeper. I would welcome you cluing those of us (like myself) in on what the intent is.

-Sean

You may be "over thinking" this a bit, and I understand your point. I'm getting more careful about any appearance of "selling something". I have the philosophy in Life that "if you don't give "It" away, you are never able to truly accept 'It'," and I believe this is true in many ways, both obvious and "not so obvious". I must respect those that look at life differently.

My life flows better if compensation is a result, not an incentive. I would prefer not to have any expenses or need for currency, but this is not the world's reality.....and we do all have to deal with that reality.:wink:

The TOI technique is just a different perception of pocket billiard reality, I was just someone that channeled it - this "perception" does TOTALLY rely on the perfect geometric shapes, especially the spheres. I'm teaching players to have the ability to "channel the game," like the champions do, and this is a special gift - that's why the credit must go to the game. 'The Game is the Teacher'