In my opinion, the #1 problem in America’s strength training community does not have anything to do with equipment, knowledge, or sports–it is a huge lack of respect for each other. It rears an ugly head in every Gym in America, every high school, every sporting event, and especially in the ever growing number of discussion forums.
I do not understand why, but there is a core problem here. Too many little guppies playing One up on each other. So i heard a story today and i wanted to share it.
To go crab fishing (small scale, not like Worlds Deadliest Catch) all you need is a crabpot (a net with a cone in it, they can get in, but not out) and a plywood box that is 6″ tall and 2′X2′. Once you get 2 crabs you just throw them in that little box. A single crab can easily crawl out of the box. But when you add another crab, they are stuck. When one crab tries to crawl out, the other will grab it and pull it back in to the box. If you add several more, none of the crabs will try to get out because they instintively know they will be pulled back if they move out.
That is the problem. No one is working to lift anyone up any more–all i see is people working to pull others down. The way to get ahead in life is not to cut off the other mans legs, it is to extend yourself past the problems. I have offically hit my limit of how much BS i will tolerate and i am working to level back out from it.
So here is my challenge to anyone and everyone who reads this page–next time you are planning on cutting some one down–try lifting them up instead. if they are a prick, even better. The people who are lost need the help a lot more than the people who are not.
When good men (or women) do nothing, evil will win. All human action starts with thoughts and words. The bible says “And the Word becomes Flesh”
{ 5 comments }
Amen my friend! Too much ego, too much bandwagon.
It’s too easy to cut a man down. Any inexperienced punk can do that. No punk is strong enough, in body or in mind, to, as you say, “lift” someone else. It takes a man with real strength to do that.
I have been guilty in the past of reacting to posts on forums that I thought to be ridiculous or offensive.
BTW It is great to see you back in action Adam,
keep well
Mitch
Really appreciate your thoughts here, I have been indulging in this myself too much lately; I will try to convert to neutral actions first, then see if I can concentrate on the “lifting” part. With some people, the lifts can feel like 1RMs…heh.
Great post. I have more or less left one forum that I used to really enjoy because of an epidemic of this and now I worry that another forum is going that way. Nothing I hate more. We all know that powerlifters are fat, bodybuilders are vain and weak and that CrossFitters aren’t particularly good at any one thing, but WHO CARES? Maybe we should focus on the fact that PLers are really strong, bodybuilders know a lot about weight control and have to have tremendous self discipline and CrossFitters have the work ethic of crazy people.
Adam, I found something new in you that makes me respect you more.