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How Weight Training Might Change the Brain

nytimes.com

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Re: How Weight Training Might Change the Brain

#171

Post by 01100011 »

tomp wrote: post #169
01100011 wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think there is something that is inherent to 'nerd culture', at least of a certain generation, which instills a feeling of otherness and persecution by 'alphas'. I was a socially awkward nerd in high school with few friends. I left feeling like I was persecuted and had a large chip on my shoulder towards 'normies'. It wasn't until years later that I realized most of it was in my head and self-inflicted. There is a…

I'm really conflicted about this. I'm a nerd. I was bullied in school. I was also fairly small and weak and non-sporty, so I was an easy target. I also liked to talk and especially talk back to the bullies. Who knows, I might have even "psychologically" bullied other people using my wit and intelligence (several of my classmates complained to the teacher once that I would "insult" them which came as a total shock to…

It seems to be fairly common for the abused to turn into the abusers at some point. Once you've internalized the status of a victim, abusing your power over others can seem like justified self-defense or righteous revenge.

I remember a lot of 'us'(the uncool kids, 'betas'(haha), nerds, dorks, dweebs, etc) being somewhat conflicted over the Columbine killings, because, while the perpetrators were absolute evil assholes, we understood why someone might feel justified in lashing out at the 'cool kids'(is that more acceptable than 'alpha'?).

There are definitely nerd bullies. Hell, my mom and uncle were exactly that in high school. They even used to taunt and make fun of my dad. Unfortunately for my mom, being a smart, sarcastic, cross-eyed nerd girl meant you had to sleep with the dorks, and behold, my family was born.

Re: How Weight Training Might Change the Brain

#172

Post by 01100011 »

licebmi__at__ wrote: post #148
01100011 wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think there is something that is inherent to 'nerd culture', at least of a certain generation, which instills a feeling of otherness and persecution by 'alphas'. I was a socially awkward nerd in high school with few friends. I left feeling like I was persecuted and had a large chip on my shoulder towards 'normies'. It wasn't until years later that I realized most of it was in my head and self-inflicted. There is a…

So the persecution feeling of "nerds" from "jocks" is "mostly in their head and self-inflicted", but the persecution for being "alpha" from "guys with smaller frames" is totally real. And really, I really can't help to think about all the mental baggage someone who uses the term "alpha" has.

On the off chance your reading comprehension has improved since you read my initial comment, it is worth pointing out that I was referring to my personal experience when I said "most of it was in my head and self-inflicted."

'Alpha' is a term of our times. Sorry, I don't define the language. Substitute 'cool kids' or 'socially elite' if it makes you feel better(assuming you want to feel better... maybe you enjoy being righteously indignant?).

Re: How Weight Training Might Change the Brain

#173

Post by woutr_be »

pagnol wrote: post #82
woutr_be wrote: post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not into running anymore, mostly focussed on weight lifting, if you're on HK island, go for a run on Bower Road, it's definitely an experience. I also used to run in Happy Valley race course, it's nice and quiet there.

Thanks for the recommendation, I’ll give it a try. I’ve been mostly running up and down Quarry Bay Park, but it does get boring after a while and the proximity to the highway probably isn’t too healthy either. I also love cycling but in Hong Kong it seems too freaking dangerous for all sorts of reasons.

You can do some cycling in Tai Po area, but down there, it's not the drivers that make it dangerous, but other cyclists. They cycle like they walk, so be prepared to be constantly cut off and have people stand in the middle of the road.

If you're close to Quarry Bay, you might want to look into Tai Tam, it's a nice nature park, there's several paths that you can take.

Re: How Weight Training Might Change the Brain

#174

Post by 01100011 »

milkytron wrote: post #51
01100011 wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hiking isn't generally something that builds mass. Hiking promotes a lean frame that isn't going to intimidate anyone.

I don’t think that’s the goal for most people. For those wanting to do enjoyable activities, hiking is a good way to get some exercise and enjoy nature, which can be as meditative as any other cardio. If muscle mass is the goal, hiking isn’t the best way to do that. But it can be healthy in a variety of ways for many people.

OP wondered about the differences between lifting and hiking. Please read my comment in that context. I was an avid hiker for years, so I get what you're saying. I don't think anyone is hiking to build mass. That would be silly.

Re: How Weight Training Might Change the Brain

#175

Post by nextlevelwizard »

asdfman123 wrote: post #170
nextlevelwizard wrote: post #165

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Lifting and in general working on yourself does shift your world view. You start to see through a lot of the bullshit that people peddle during the day. I bet same thing happens when you build something all by yourself knowing that only you could have done what you did.

Well, very broadly speaking there are two ways of looking at things. One philosophy is we should live in a world where the playing field is leveled and we should look out for the weak. Another is the weak need to get out of the way of the strong, and if you are struggling, it is your responsibility to become stronger. Increasingly I feel personal philosophies are largely self-serving. You believe in things that will…

Obviously society would be better with more winners, but what we need to aim for is equal opportunities not equal outcome.

As for modern society, there are many ways to view what is important and in what way. Questions like who is benefiting the most from these new masculinity rules (toxic masculinity, etc) posed on men has multiple answers.

Being mentally strong is not exclusive with being physically strong. In fact both should enhance one another. You should educate yourself on how to best take care and enhance your body and in return you get better functionality which enhances your mental capabilities.

Re: How Weight Training Might Change the Brain

#176

Post by hueving »

0815test wrote: post #32
hueving wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm the opposite for hardcore engineers. An in-shape, muscular person looks like they have dedicated a non-trivial amount of time to not software. I presume most people that look like that just see writing software as "a job" and won't be as capable of fully owning anything more complex than small portions of a complex application.

> An in-shape, muscular person looks like they have dedicated a non-trivial amount of time to not software. Hitting the gym can actually be pretty complementary to writing software or doing other sorts of engineering in the best possible way. For example, many people are psychologically messed up due to some sort of mental "baggage" that basically shows up as a somatic fight-or-flight response, albeit generally in an…

That's effectively quack science. I'd love to be proven otherwise with evidence, but I've seen nothing that shows people spending an hour a day outperforming people who do not in mental tasks.

Re: How Weight Training Might Change the Brain

#177

Post by hueving »

asdfman123 wrote: post #141
0815test wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> An in-shape, muscular person looks like they have dedicated a non-trivial amount of time to not software. Hitting the gym can actually be pretty complementary to writing software or doing other sorts of engineering in the best possible way. For example, many people are psychologically messed up due to some sort of mental "baggage" that basically shows up as a somatic fight-or-flight response, albeit generally in an…

I had a boss that was a good programmer and would work late into the night on pet projects. A true coder. But he'd get so stressed out he'd yell at team members every time things went wrong. Communication was poor and the whole team suffered from it. You need to devote a "non-trival" amount of time becoming a well rounded person or everything else is going to suffer, including your ability to maintain relationships i…

Cool story. Nothing to do with body building.
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