I'd put Jimmy Reid at the top of this list. He could have easily.....
Can you be too smart to play good pool?
- Thread starter John Brumback
- Start date
I'd put Jimmy Reid at the top of this list. He could have easily.....
That's harsh, but not totally off the mark.
You have to question the intelligence of a group of people who lack the foresight to get any kind of organization going and instead continue to burn bridges and shoot themselves in the foot at every opportunity.
You have to question the intelligence of a group of people who lack the foresight to get any kind of organization going and instead continue to burn bridges and shoot themselves in the foot at every opportunity.
I'd Rather Be Practical Than Too Smart..
I think that being too smart can get in the way of understanding simple things.
For example:
The Lone Ranger and Tonto stop for the night, after a hard days ride in the desert.
They set up camp, pitch their tent and fall asleep.
Some hours later, The Lone Ranger wakes his faithful friend.
"Tonto, look up at the sky and tell me what you see."
Tonto replies,
"Me see millions of stars."
The Lone Ranger asks:
"What does that tell you?"
Tonto ponders for a minute.
"Astronomically speaking, it tells me that there are
millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets.
Astrologically, it tells me that Saturn is in Leo.
Chronologically, it appears to be approximately a quarter past three.
Theologically, it's evident the Lord is all-powerful and we are small and insignificant.
Meteorologically, it seems we will have a beautiful day tomorrow.
What it tell you, Kemo Sabi?"
The Lone Ranger is silent for a moment, then speaks:
"Tonto, you dumb ass, It tells me that someone has stolen our tent."
.
I think that being too smart can get in the way of understanding simple things.
For example:
The Lone Ranger and Tonto stop for the night, after a hard days ride in the desert.
They set up camp, pitch their tent and fall asleep.
Some hours later, The Lone Ranger wakes his faithful friend.
"Tonto, look up at the sky and tell me what you see."
Tonto replies,
"Me see millions of stars."
The Lone Ranger asks:
"What does that tell you?"
Tonto ponders for a minute.
"Astronomically speaking, it tells me that there are
millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets.
Astrologically, it tells me that Saturn is in Leo.
Chronologically, it appears to be approximately a quarter past three.
Theologically, it's evident the Lord is all-powerful and we are small and insignificant.
Meteorologically, it seems we will have a beautiful day tomorrow.
What it tell you, Kemo Sabi?"
The Lone Ranger is silent for a moment, then speaks:
"Tonto, you dumb ass, It tells me that someone has stolen our tent."
.
There are many forms of intelligence, Emotional being one of the most useful
Pool is more of a creative art, thus "right brain" dominant. Much like playing music, and transforming paper and paint into great paintings. Pocket billiards, in it's purest form is a way of self expression - it allows the practitioner to showcase their internal {mental} and physical abilities and knowledge for the outside world to see through the game.
Some artists are brilliant in their own right, and are even considered genius* depending on the measuring methodology.
There are many forms of intelligence, arguably the most useful one being Emotional Intelligence.
*
A Genius is a person who displays exceptionally superior intellectual ability, creativity, or originality, typically to a degree that is associated with the achievement of new advances in a domain of knowledge. A scholar in many subjects or a scholar in a single subject may be referred to as a genius.[1] There is no scientifically precise definition of genius, and the question of whether the notion itself has any real meaning has long been a subject of debate, although psychologists are converging on a definition that emphasizes creativity and eminent achievement.
Pool is more of a creative art, thus "right brain" dominant. Much like playing music, and transforming paper and paint into great paintings. Pocket billiards, in it's purest form is a way of self expression - it allows the practitioner to showcase their internal {mental} and physical abilities and knowledge for the outside world to see through the game.
Some artists are brilliant in their own right, and are even considered genius* depending on the measuring methodology.
There are many forms of intelligence, arguably the most useful one being Emotional Intelligence.
*
A Genius is a person who displays exceptionally superior intellectual ability, creativity, or originality, typically to a degree that is associated with the achievement of new advances in a domain of knowledge. A scholar in many subjects or a scholar in a single subject may be referred to as a genius.[1] There is no scientifically precise definition of genius, and the question of whether the notion itself has any real meaning has long been a subject of debate, although psychologists are converging on a definition that emphasizes creativity and eminent achievement.
Ron Swanson
Banned
Lol. Seriously, what have you done to patrick johnson, and can we have him back please.
Actually, scratch that. You keep him.
Ron Swanson
Banned
It was a serious question. Take two PJs (shudder), teach one the physics side of things and let the other alone. Assume they both have equal playing time and opportunity.
Which one wins? I'd say the one who is left alone to develop his game naturally.
Ron Swanson
Banned
As a barometer, that is as good as any.
Using this type of thinking causes issues that may never be overcome
You would be absolutely correct!
Trying to learn to play pool using "science and physics" would be like trying to learn to play the piano the same way. Using this type of thinking causes issues that may never be overcome without serious therapy.....probably involving water-boarding of some kind.
I can only imagine him trying to do this, measuring the angles of the finger/key ratio, using the "pendulum finger stroke," and measuring the sound/finger pressure to create the ideal harmony and balance.........LoL!!! HERE"S WHAT IT WOULD SOUND LIKE
You would be absolutely correct!
Trying to learn to play pool using "science and physics" would be like trying to learn to play the piano the same way. Using this type of thinking causes issues that may never be overcome without serious therapy.....probably involving water-boarding of some kind.
I can only imagine him trying to do this, measuring the angles of the finger/key ratio, using the "pendulum finger stroke," and measuring the sound/finger pressure to create the ideal harmony and balance.........LoL!!! HERE"S WHAT IT WOULD SOUND LIKE
Rotflmao! A statement like that targeting another poster takes a lot of balls (aramith, centennials) when you should be asking it to yourself while looking in the mirror.
You have more kills as a sniper than Chris Kyle did in war. Incredible!
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So you think concert pianists don't know any music theory?
When you just make stuff up because you think it sounds like a cool put-down, do you wonder whether some poor fool who actually listens to you will be helped or hurt by it? Do you care?
pj
chgo
Another sniping shot with a typical "spin" of the original post to go in another direction by the self-made forum emperor, Patrick Johnson.
This is what CJ posted:
"Trying to learn to play pool using "science and physics" would be like trying to learn to play the piano the same way. Using this type of thinking causes issues that may never be overcome without serious therapy.....probably involving water-boarding of some kind.
I can only imagine him trying to do this, measuring the angles of the finger/key ratio, using the "pendulum finger stroke," and measuring the sound/finger pressure to create the ideal harmony and balance........."
Music THEORY for piano involves the following which he didn't mention: (nothing to do with how he SPOOFED it)
http://www.grandpianopassion.com/2013/05/20/language-music-theory/
http://www.true-piano-lessons.com/teaching-piano.html
Whether it's piano or any other instrument, there have been many child prodigies who could play piano at a concert level before they were able to read a single word. There have also been great musicians that didn't even know how to read or write music during their entire illustrious careers.
You're in your mid 60's with every day being a waste of time while you live on this forum as life runs out.
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John, I warned you lol! 130+ posts in this thread with some being just pure mud slinging after John's 1 and only post here...amazing.
Understanding pool physics is not a prerequisite for playing pool well, but it can help when you are trying to diagnose problems during practice or come up with a creative shot in an unusual situation. Unfortunately, the analytic mindset that inspires some people to learn how something works can be a source of distraction when it is time to forget all the "whys" and simply execute a task.
Personally, I play my best when the my conscious thoughts are strategy-related and I am relying on my practice and experience to unconsciously execute the shot at hand. However, doing so requires the ability to clear everything else from my mind when I'm shooting, which is not always an option. Fortunately, I can also play fairly well by focusing on the details of each shot: tip placement, stroke speed, etc. It's not my best game, but it's much better than allowing my mind to wander to something totally unrelated. It's also usually the only game I have available for a league or evening tournament because it typically takes me a while playing to shake off life's distractions and get into the first mode of play.
To get back to the original question, I would say that you can't really be too smart to play good pool, but playing great pool requires a special combination of focus and the ability to "let go" and just shoot, and I think that's harder to do for the type of person that is interested in pool physics.
Personally, I play my best when the my conscious thoughts are strategy-related and I am relying on my practice and experience to unconsciously execute the shot at hand. However, doing so requires the ability to clear everything else from my mind when I'm shooting, which is not always an option. Fortunately, I can also play fairly well by focusing on the details of each shot: tip placement, stroke speed, etc. It's not my best game, but it's much better than allowing my mind to wander to something totally unrelated. It's also usually the only game I have available for a league or evening tournament because it typically takes me a while playing to shake off life's distractions and get into the first mode of play.
To get back to the original question, I would say that you can't really be too smart to play good pool, but playing great pool requires a special combination of focus and the ability to "let go" and just shoot, and I think that's harder to do for the type of person that is interested in pool physics.
You're right. I've just skimmed through this thread for the second time and my belief is that if one person were removed from the discussion, it (the thread) would have progressed to a logical, and amicable, conclusion.
Most of us know who that person is.
Very nice!
Much stronger than intelligence is the role of the amgdala in playing pool. This is an older part of the brain that used to protect us from saber tooth tigers. It cuts down the blood flow to the brain and sends the blood to the arms and legs so you can fight or flee. Does this explain why some folks can be sharked? What about the people that choke? Why do some people violently jerk their heads up and open their eyes wide when they miss?
Let me see if I can understand some of this.
1. The only thing close to a sabre toothed tiger, that I've come across, was when I met my second wife. I got no protection from my Amygdala, whatsoever.
2. It did cut down blood flow to the brain, but nowhere else. Quite the contrary. I was ready to rock and roll, if you know what I mean.
3. Her (whatever you called it) must have worked because she jerked her head up with eyes wide open, and shouted. "Are you through yet?" :smile:
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