Bill Been: A Defense of Precise Terms

[Mark Rippetoe]

A Defense of Precise Terms | Bill Been

[TommyGun]

Loved this piece. SS is a textbook, a text and reference manual. Rip had me at the moment diagrams, I hadn't seen moment diagrams computed since my undergrad days. To see it applied to strength, to bar path, the analysis of center of mass literally fired me up. And I enjoyed the challenge of learning the anatomy.

And what Bill references in the article about Selye's Law as described in Practical Programming 3rd Ed is required reading. I dont listen to anyone who cannot dwscribe the stress-recovery-adaptation cycle in depth.

I just read a good book that discusses the futility of superficial inderstanding, and the need to "go deep" to develop a knowledge base that has any value . It is called Deep Work by Cal Newpirt. It is a good read and applies to the need to truly go deep to learn and apply complex topics....such as SS.

[Troy May]

Nice one Bill. It was exactly the clarity, depth and internal consistency of Starting Strength models that got me hooked. That and the huge amount of well argued information I discovered in the forum threads on almost every conceivable training issue.

[BenM]

Beclowning, my new favourite word, I think. Gonna use that one.

Nice article

[CJ Gotcher]

Great work, Bill. "Make things as simple as possible... but not simpler." If "as simple as possible" is too hard for some people, coaching might not be in their future.

[Steve Hill]

Pedantic!

Rip and Staff will understand that that is a compliment.

[Bill Been]

Beclowning, my new favourite word, I think. Gonna use that one.

Nice article

In the spirit of full attribution, Rip used this word in a fairly recent piece, bringing it back to the top of my mind. I believe I was first introduced to it by the late, great William F. Buckley.

[Jonathon Sullivan]

Nice work.

And yes. I see what you did there.

[mdillon]

Speaking of precise terms, I've heard people make the argument to not use terms like 'hip extension'. They say the hip does not extend but rather the thigh does so, therefore, it should be described as 'thigh extension'. I'm interested to hear everybody's thoughts. If I say "knee extension occurs during the ascent of the squat" is it better to say that the leg extends?

[BenM]

In the spirit of full attribution, Rip used this word in a fairly recent piece, bringing it back to the top of my mind. I believe I was first introduced to it by the late, great William F. Buckley.

It's great. Well done to all involved (from an Aussie whose workplace is filled with people beclowning)