Monday, January 26

American football secret

Ok, as I start this post I've got 9 windows open with 30 total tabs. Terrible habit.

+ There's an apocryphal version of Kurt and Brenda Warner's inspiring story going around via email again. Here's the real version (with sources).

+ Nice SI article: Cold Hard Football Facts: Why Warner is better QB than Manning

+ Interesting playoff criticism: Cold Hard Football Facts: Playoff system ruined by 2002 realignment

+ Via tdaxp:



+ There is a ton that could be said about this article. In fact, the author has since expanded it into a whole book: What it takes to be great:
Research now shows that the lack of natural talent is irrelevant to great success. The secret? Painful and demanding practice and hard work.

What I have thought about most frequently since I read this article is video games. To beat the level, you have to get better, period. Instant feedback, hard work, and a tangible reward. Pretty effective training system. Can we port it over to more important pursuits?

There, that's better 5 windows with 19 tabs.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sean, Gladwell's new book 'Outliers' is his best read so far. It makes some of the same argument in the first chapter. He says the magic number of hours of practice/work/repeated behavior is 10,000 hours before you master any thing. It is a worthwhile and easy read.

Sean Meade said...

yeah, need to look into it. had heard as much as you commented. sure liked his other stuff, so thanks!

now, what should i put my 10,000 hours into? ;-)

Macon said...

I like the picture. :-)

Sean Meade said...

thanks, M!