I have to go off on a bit of a rant here.
Lately, there’s been an influx of “gurus” pouring into WLF and their advice, well….. stinks.
First let me say I’m all for keeping an open mind and hearing people out. But when this advice doesn’t match, nor is it applicable to the recipient, the advice sucks no matter the soundness of the information.
And the kicker is, the information they’re giving sucks to boot. It’s a double whammy of nonsense.
I’m sure people who don’t know me well enough or aren’t versed in the same information I am versed in think I’m not open to anyone’s advice that isn’t my own. That couldn’t be further from the truth however. There have been members here on this very forum whose advice I’ve welcomed. The fact is, the barrier to entry for the gurus that plague the interwebz is non-existent. Anyone can join a forum and act as an authority.
As a rule of thumb, here is are a few things I’d be on the watch for when it comes to Internet Fitness Allstars:
1. Information and advice is always up for challenge/debate when posted on this medium of communication. The moment one gets their panties in a wad simply b/c a member challenges their advice or beliefs is the moment one proves their incompetence and inability to reason with logic.
2. The guru plays the assumption that everything is just "different points of view" and not that people can actually be wrong.
3. Ironically, the guru's "knowledge" often leads to an amazing short-sightedness, and thus the bro-science and hasty assumptions and generalizations made on inaccurate and incomplete knowledge become their singular path of focus and thought leading to very shallow and applicable advice.
If you aren’t well versed or read in a particular subject, don’t pretend like you are. Sure, it might feel good for a while but eventually your bullshit will be called and you’re left looking like a fool. It’s hard for me to believe that gurus expect to get a lot of mileage out of deceiving people.
And a special note to the dense: I sure as shit am not saying I'm always right. I actually welcome criticism and opposing viewpoints.
The issue is, most think they’re educated when they’re not. Research for most of these gurus has been what they’ve read on the Internet. What the fuck is that? Regurgitating unfounded opinions is far from offering solid, applicable advice where I come from. You can call it what you want, but if it smells like shit, you’re going to have to do a lot better of a job with making me believe it’s a rose than simply saying, “I’m smarter than you,” or, “I research a lot.”
Prove to me that you know the basics of physiology, biomechanics, thermodynamics, biochemistry, etc, etc. Prove to me that you have read AND comprehended a book or two. And most importantly, if the knowledge is actually there, apply it appropriately. Being a good trainer doesn’t come from a text book.
It’s not the fact that these guys (and girls) like to say things like, “Steve, if you researched as much as me you might have a leg to stand on.” That’s just funny to me. I don’t care if they’re 10 times more intelligent and well versed than me, to be honest.
What irks me is the fact that they’re so stuck in their own little mental prisons of obscurity that they could and would never think to stop for a second when someone questions them on the advice they’re providing, and actually think. The consideration that they might be misinformed doesn’t exist. They’re too busy with their self-indulged journey to internet stardom to realize that the gullibility of the masses isn’t a sign of their own efficacy or knowledge.
This trap of ignorance is all too common. I mean, heaven forbid someone actually use their brain for something other than stroking an ego to feel important. Critical thinking and analysis. What’s that? Logic? Never heard of it.
I say this time and time again around here, I should put it in my signature line……
The key point is, being forced to defend your beliefs will either 1) reinforce them or 2) create doubt, in which case you reassess and either go back to 1) or you learn something. In any event, being questioned and forced into validation can only lead to a positive outcome in my world.
If you can't think in those terms and act purely to indulge your ego, sure, I understand the need to transform what should otherwise be a well-reasoned discussion/debate into something it’s not; a personal attack. Hiding behind fallacious appeals leads to contentment for some, I suppose.
A classic example would be a guru coming in here and, without even investigating one’s objective and subjective lifestyle factors and history, start spitting advice straight from bodybuilding.com. I mean, it’s cool if that’s where you get your information….. but advice is only worth it’s applicability to the recipient of said advice.
Sure, keep saying things like, “I’ve studied more than you” or “Steve, you’re just arrogant and offer zero advice.” It might help to expand your repertoire from "ignorance" and "being categorically unable to respond to anything with reason and substance" to something like "qualified" and "informative" if you want to take the smug and superior route.
Lately, there’s been an influx of “gurus” pouring into WLF and their advice, well….. stinks.
First let me say I’m all for keeping an open mind and hearing people out. But when this advice doesn’t match, nor is it applicable to the recipient, the advice sucks no matter the soundness of the information.
And the kicker is, the information they’re giving sucks to boot. It’s a double whammy of nonsense.
I’m sure people who don’t know me well enough or aren’t versed in the same information I am versed in think I’m not open to anyone’s advice that isn’t my own. That couldn’t be further from the truth however. There have been members here on this very forum whose advice I’ve welcomed. The fact is, the barrier to entry for the gurus that plague the interwebz is non-existent. Anyone can join a forum and act as an authority.
As a rule of thumb, here is are a few things I’d be on the watch for when it comes to Internet Fitness Allstars:
1. Information and advice is always up for challenge/debate when posted on this medium of communication. The moment one gets their panties in a wad simply b/c a member challenges their advice or beliefs is the moment one proves their incompetence and inability to reason with logic.
2. The guru plays the assumption that everything is just "different points of view" and not that people can actually be wrong.
3. Ironically, the guru's "knowledge" often leads to an amazing short-sightedness, and thus the bro-science and hasty assumptions and generalizations made on inaccurate and incomplete knowledge become their singular path of focus and thought leading to very shallow and applicable advice.
If you aren’t well versed or read in a particular subject, don’t pretend like you are. Sure, it might feel good for a while but eventually your bullshit will be called and you’re left looking like a fool. It’s hard for me to believe that gurus expect to get a lot of mileage out of deceiving people.
And a special note to the dense: I sure as shit am not saying I'm always right. I actually welcome criticism and opposing viewpoints.
The issue is, most think they’re educated when they’re not. Research for most of these gurus has been what they’ve read on the Internet. What the fuck is that? Regurgitating unfounded opinions is far from offering solid, applicable advice where I come from. You can call it what you want, but if it smells like shit, you’re going to have to do a lot better of a job with making me believe it’s a rose than simply saying, “I’m smarter than you,” or, “I research a lot.”
Prove to me that you know the basics of physiology, biomechanics, thermodynamics, biochemistry, etc, etc. Prove to me that you have read AND comprehended a book or two. And most importantly, if the knowledge is actually there, apply it appropriately. Being a good trainer doesn’t come from a text book.
It’s not the fact that these guys (and girls) like to say things like, “Steve, if you researched as much as me you might have a leg to stand on.” That’s just funny to me. I don’t care if they’re 10 times more intelligent and well versed than me, to be honest.
What irks me is the fact that they’re so stuck in their own little mental prisons of obscurity that they could and would never think to stop for a second when someone questions them on the advice they’re providing, and actually think. The consideration that they might be misinformed doesn’t exist. They’re too busy with their self-indulged journey to internet stardom to realize that the gullibility of the masses isn’t a sign of their own efficacy or knowledge.
This trap of ignorance is all too common. I mean, heaven forbid someone actually use their brain for something other than stroking an ego to feel important. Critical thinking and analysis. What’s that? Logic? Never heard of it.
I say this time and time again around here, I should put it in my signature line……
The key point is, being forced to defend your beliefs will either 1) reinforce them or 2) create doubt, in which case you reassess and either go back to 1) or you learn something. In any event, being questioned and forced into validation can only lead to a positive outcome in my world.
If you can't think in those terms and act purely to indulge your ego, sure, I understand the need to transform what should otherwise be a well-reasoned discussion/debate into something it’s not; a personal attack. Hiding behind fallacious appeals leads to contentment for some, I suppose.
A classic example would be a guru coming in here and, without even investigating one’s objective and subjective lifestyle factors and history, start spitting advice straight from bodybuilding.com. I mean, it’s cool if that’s where you get your information….. but advice is only worth it’s applicability to the recipient of said advice.
Sure, keep saying things like, “I’ve studied more than you” or “Steve, you’re just arrogant and offer zero advice.” It might help to expand your repertoire from "ignorance" and "being categorically unable to respond to anything with reason and substance" to something like "qualified" and "informative" if you want to take the smug and superior route.
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