Nobody Said It Would Be Easy
Richard Feynman famously said:
If you can’t explain something to a first year student, then you haven’t really understood it.
I certainly agree with Richard, but I fear that a common theme amongst people is one of over-simplicity. I see it all the time in business (don’t get me started on Lean Theory zealots), education, and my industry of choice, sports. In my latest article about injuries to pitchers’ arms, I sourced a lot of research both externally and internally to discuss how elbow and shoulder surgeries are not a simple process. It is not simply checkpoint-based mechanics, or the “fact” that kids back in the day threw watermelons in the fields which would strengthen their arms (actually said by a General Manager of an MLB team) – to say such things is to remain willfully ignorant about an extremely complex system.
We have the sum total of humanity’s knowledge at our fingertips through Google Search, which in theory should raise the level of discourse. There is no better way to become “intelligent” than by simply putting every single thought you have into Google Search and reading for hours to gain a deeper understanding – and often refutation – of the beliefs you once held. It is the modern day Library of Alexandria.
Yet this is too difficult for most, and rightfully so. It is a pain in the ass to constantly question your beliefs, thoughts, and things you were very sure were real in this world. But accumulation of knowledge and skill is asymptotic, unfortunately – the more we learn and the more we do, the greater the existing base of knowledge grows and the tougher it becomes to create something in this world. This is, without a doubt, quite frustrating.
However the journey is what really matters; as I am fond of saying, the pleasure is in the hard work. The late nights at 2 AM staring at results from the biomechanics lab are some of the most intellectually and spiritually enriching experiences I have, because it is through that slavish devotion to a niche practice (baseball pitching) that my clients get results that no other trainer could possibly give them. Celebrating the end result comes naturally and I do enjoy it, but losing sight of the journey is the quickest way to grow complacent – and will get you passed very quickly in this world.
2 thoughts on “Nobody Said It Would Be Easy”
As a dad, you tell your son ad nauseam about the primacy of the process.
But secretly what makes you giddy is when that 11-yo, with no warning whatsoever, groks the basement work you’ve been doing since November and throws 15 consecutive pitches much, *much* harder than he’s ever thrown to shut down a game hanging in the balance.
What makes giggle is the private smiles you share with your wife afterwards as you tell her “I think we’ve been building a Frankenstein” and she tells you the other parents have their mouths hanging open.
Then an hour later you feel disappointed when said wife tells you she couldn’t figure out the Everio camera and didn’t film the (not remotely) little Frankenstein’s masterpiece.
Good stuff Kyle! skype me pls!