Power of the mind

Tony_in_MD said:
There are many sociological and cultural reasons why certain races are better at sports than others. None are genetic.

I would have hoped that by this time that line of thinking would have disappeared. It is sad to see that it has not.
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And I would have hoped such politically correct fascism would have withered and died by now. We live in a post PC world now, buddy. Deal with it.
 
Neil said:
1. I never said I could be at the highest echelons of the game, you did. I only want to play to my full potential. What I have done in the past, and what I am capable of.
2.No race is predisposed to play pool. It just doesn't work that way.

One other thing I have thought of... most of the best are a bit arrogant. They think they are the best, and I agree that you have to think that way to some extent. You do have to believe in yourself. But, they also surround themselves with those that think likewise. They give no time to anyone that may think they aren't the best. Which is why they so seldom post on here. They won't allow the negativity they might get on here to enter their mind at all. Who doesn't play better when they have someone in their corner?
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I doubt that's why they don't post on here! There are players and then there are talkers. We, sir, are talkers.
 
Limitations

TheThaiger, I don't entirely disagree with you. The truth is we all have limitations, including the pros. It probably varies from person to person and from day to day, and in different points of our lifetimes. The problem is, how can I really know what those limitations are?

What good does it do me to guess?
 
SpotMonster22 said:
TheThaiger, I don't entirely disagree with you. The truth is we all have limitations, including the pros. It probably varies from person to person and from day to day, and in different points of our lifetimes. The problem is, how can I really know what those limitations are?

What good does it do me to guess?
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I understand what Neil and others are saying, but I object to the almost evangelical fervour with which the message is usually portrayed. It's the 'I've found the way to improve my game and so can you!' rhetoric which is unpalatable, I think.

Our limitations are hard to accept. Refusing to accept them is commendable, which is why some rather limited players can go on to have careers that are far ahead of expectation, but they are exceptions to the rule.

<------Thethaiger, not worshipping false idols or believing in false hope.
 
TheThaiger said:
I understand what Neil and others are saying, but I object to the almost evangelical fervour with which the message is usually portrayed. It's the 'I've found the way to improve my game and so can you!' rhetoric which is unpalatable, I think.

Our limitations are hard to accept. Refusing to accept them is commendable, which is why some rather limited players can go on to have careers that are far ahead of expectation, but they are exceptions to the rule.

<------Thethaiger, not worshipping false idols or believing in false hope.
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I think what you say is interesting (and true): its difficult to accept and its also difficult to reject our limitations. Most of us end up stuck somewhere in the middle, which is the worst place to be.
 
There is a big difference between an individuals variations, and stating that those are a genetic tendency of a race.

There are reasons why Ethiopia produces great long distance runners, it has NOTHING to do with the genetic characteristics of the race of humans in that country.

Remember "Jimmy the Greek"?

chefjeff said:
But what of truth and honesty? Do we ignore truth so as to be p/c?

The size and weight of the runner, the bow in his legs, the necessity of running/walking....many things help one run long distances better than others.

I get sad as Persons use dishonest thinking (to avoid greatness, e.g.).

Jeff Livingston
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And we don't live in an era of British Colonialism either.

Take your racial stereotypes somewhere else.


TheThaiger said:
And I would have hoped such politically correct fascism would have withered and died by now. We live in a post PC world now, buddy. Deal with it.
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SpotMonster22 said:
I think what you say is interesting (and true): its difficult to accept and its also difficult to reject our limitations. Most of us end up stuck somewhere in the middle, which is the worst place to be.
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Yes, but we also tend to oscillate a bit, with each upswing in form being attributed to XYZ, when in reality is just part of a natural cycle.
 
Tony_in_MD said:
And we don't live in an era of British Colonialism either.

Take your racial stereotypes somewhere else.
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:grin: I'll give you the benefit of the doubt there.

Sadly, British colonialism - infrastructures built and democracies installed - was replaced by the rapacious corporate greed that will quite possibly destroy western civilisation as we know it. And which country's the biggest culprit there, I wonder? :rolleyes:

Why do you assume my racial stereotyping to be negative? There are racial (and, indeed, national or even regional) characteristics that are demonstrably different from each other - why not embrace them? It is the ultimate irony of the PC thug that they seek to eliminate diversity, rather than embrace and cherish it.

Playing the race card is the last bastion of the loser. Still, i'd be fascinated to hear all about these sociological reasons why Haile Gebrselassie could run like shit off a shovel.
 
The one question all of us need to ask ourselves is, "ARE WE READY FOR THE NEXT LEVEL?"

Seems like such a simple question. For many, there is a real fear of success. Are we ready to expect from ourselves and are we ready for our peers to expect more from us? Yes, there is stress from gaining success. Also there are those who resent you for getting better. They will make comments just to bring you back down to their level. In order to survive you need to be mentally tough.

This question can only be answered by one person.

Great post Neil !!! Stay positive and don't let others drag you down. They are just fearful that you will be better than they are.
 
twal said:
The one question all of us need to ask ourselves is, "ARE WE READY FOR THE NEXT LEVEL?"

Seems like such a simple question. For many, there is a real fear of success. Are we ready to expect from ourselves and are we ready for our peers to expect more from us? Yes, there is stress from gaining success. Also there are those who resent you for getting better. They will make comments just to bring you back down to their level. In order to survive you need to be mentally tough.

This question can only be answered by one person.

Great post Neil !!! Stay positive and don't let others drag you down. They are just fearful that you will be better than they are.
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Yeah, that must be it. :rolleyes:

AZ Billiards: a self-help group for the deluded.
 
Good question Tom. I think the moment people are able to have the correct mental outlook within themselves (positive thinking), then it really won't matter to them what other people say or think...that negativity is on them. It speaks volumes about an individual who has to try and put down someone else's success...or opinions now that I think about it! ;)

Now, if I could just find the "perfect" equipment to fit my now "perfect" outlook, I'd be set! ;)

Jason

twal said:
The one question all of us need to ask ourselves is, "ARE WE READY FOR THE NEXT LEVEL?"

Seems like such a simple question. For many, there is a real fear of success. Are we ready to expect from ourselves and are we ready for our peers to expect more from us? Yes, there is stress from gaining success. Also there are those who resent you for getting better. They will make comments just to bring you back down to their level. In order to survive you need to be mentally tough.

This question can only be answered by one person.

Great post Neil !!! Stay positive and don't let others drag you down. They are just fearful that you will be better than they are.
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Tony_in_MD said:
There is a big difference between an individuals variations, and stating that those are a genetic tendency of a race.

There are reasons why Ethiopia produces great long distance runners, it has NOTHING to do with the genetic characteristics of the race of humans in that country.

Remember "Jimmy the Greek"?
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I've read where it does matter where a runner is from.

The size and weight especially and the leg configuration.

I have no expertise in this area, but what I've read about it.

Thanks for the info.

Jeff Livingston
 
Sorry my reply was not meant for you. I quoted the wrong post.

Think environment and individual variation, not a racial adaptation.

It is unfair and preposterous to state that a given race has an advantage in particular sporting events.

There are racial adaptions, that provide advantages for a particular group in their environment, think pigmentation that helps balance the production of vitamin D, vs exposure to UV rays, body types - thinner and slighter provides advantages in hot climate, the epicanthal fold which protects the eyes from harsh weather.


To stereotype a race, as Thaiger has alluded to is one step from some of the darkest historical events that have occurred by mankind.

I mean honestly......what inherited traits do Asians have that make them good pool players? It is environmental and sociological support. Heredity and genetics at a racial level have nothing to do with it.

He may have not meant it, but it is a slippery slope that does not take much to slide down, and one that I prefer not to be involved in.

His entire argument is being used IMHO to support that fact that he would prefer not to put in the necessary work to become a better player, because he was not born one. So he has an out.

I believe the opposite, that good players are made, and not born.



chefjeff said:
I've read where it does matter where a runner is from.

The size and weight especially and the leg configuration.

I have no expertise in this area, but what I've read about it.

Thanks for the info.

Jeff Livingston
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Tony_in_MD said:
Sorry my reply was not meant for you. I quoted the wrong post.

Think environment and individual variation, not a racial adaptation.

It is unfair and preposterous to state that a given race has an advantage in particular sporting events.

There are racial adaptions, that provide advantages for a particular group in their environment, think pigmentation that helps balance the production of vitamin D, vs exposure to UV rays, body types - thinner and slighter provides advantages in hot climate, the epicanthal fold which protects the eyes from harsh weather.


To stereotype a race, as Thager has alluded to is one step from some of the darkest historical events that have occurred by mankind.

I mean honestly......what inherited traits do Asians have that make them good pool players? It is environmental and sociological support. Heredity and genetics at a racial level have nothing to do with it.

He may have not meant it, but it is a slippery slope that does not take much to slide down, and one that I prefer not to be involved in.

His entire argument is being used IMHO to support that fact that he would prefer not to put in the necessary work to become a better player, because he was not born one. So he has an out.

I believe the opposite, that good players are made, and not born.
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Firstly, self-indulgent drivel of the highest order. We are waaay past the time you can use smear and condescension to win an argument, buddy.

If I may remind you, I said It's far from inconceivable the filipinos and chinese are genetically pre-disposed to play better pool than white americans, say.

Perhaps you can reconcile what I wrote with what you wrote because, frankly, I'm struggling to see how the two interact. Tiresome epic grandstanding on your behalf. Pitiful hyperbole. To stereotype a race, as Thaiger has alluded to is one step from some of the darkest historical events that have occurred by mankind.


Dreadful stuff.

Secondly, I've as much god given talent as anyone has ever had. But I know to my cost that that is not enough, nor will it ever be in my case. You fall for cod psychological bollox and spin all you like, but leave me out of it. All these eureka moments and so few pros - who'd have thunk it?
 
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