I'm sure that this isn't an original thought, but...

[nolly]

...if the definition of insanity is "Doing the same thing repeatedly, but expecting different results", is weightlifting not insane? (I enjoy it anyway, mind you.)

Comments

[jeran.livejournal.com]

I think there's an implication that what you're doing doesn't cause any changes to the initial conditions from one repeat to the next. Weightlifting violates that assumption, at least if you're doing it right.

[nolly.livejournal.com]

True, but I think the original quip implies the "insane" person cannot tell what affects what.

[filmbuff.livejournal.com]

Depends on what results you're expecting.

Although personally, I'm having trouble thinking of any variety of results to expect.

[nolly.livejournal.com]

Mass M will move distance D along vector V due to force F caused by effort E.
When one gains strength, what seems to be the same E creates a larger F, and thus a larger D or a different V.

[kishiriadgr.livejournal.com]

Because it doesn't give the *same* result, and they are cumulative.

[nolly.livejournal.com]

True, but the quip isn't "doing the same thing and getting different results". It's "doing the same thing and expecting different results". (No one that I know of has ever claimed this definition in any non-joking context.)

[brooksmoses]

You expect different results?

It seems to me that one only expects rather slightly different results, which is perfectly in line with the fact that "lifting weight X after having done this for three months" is in fact slightly different from "lifting weight X after having done this for one month".

[nolly.livejournal.com]

I find that the difference between "lifting weight X now" and "lifting weight X 2 months ago" is more than slight, personally, for most values of X and most ways of lifting. If I weren't seeing significant changes in my strength and endurance, I'd find something new to do.

[ellienihon.livejournal.com]

If I weren't seeing significant changes in my strength and endurance, I'd find something new to do.

Which is exactly the point of the definition. You're getting the results you want, you don't expect different results than what you've gotten in the past. The place where people have problems is when they're expecting something other than what they've gotten in the past from a set pattern of behavior.

[madarab.livejournal.com]

So continuing to breathe or have your heart beat or eating is insane? :P Besides, it makes you a buff nolly!

[nolly.livejournal.com]

You expect different results from each breath or heartbeat? I find mine are much the same,

[madarab.livejournal.com]

Yes. I expect my age to have changed each time that it happens. :P:P:P

[nolly.livejournal.com]

If you hold your breath, do you stop aging?

[firestrike.livejournal.com]

Yes, if you do it for long enough.

[nolly.livejournal.com]

My bio teacher taught that you could hold your breath only until you passed out, then you'd start breathing again. (External or non-deliberate stoppage of breath is not the same as holding your breath, at least in my world.)

[firestrike.livejournal.com]

So that should be "Yes, if you could do it long enough."

[(Anonymous)]

Just remember that death by auto-erotic asphyxiation can be very embarassing for your friends and family. :P

[gunslnger.livejournal.com]

Assuming that you aren't using external aids.

Choking Game Fatal To Teens

[nolly.livejournal.com]

As I said:
(External or non-deliberate stoppage of breath is not the same as holding your breath, at least in my world.)

[madarab.livejournal.com]

Nolly's World is its own rollercoaster. :P

[nolly.livejournal.com]

More of a Tilt-A-Whirl, I think.

[bride.livejournal.com]

I've seen that quote attributed to a paraphrase of what Einstein said. =)

[micheinnz.livejournal.com]

It would be, if you didn't get different results after a while.

[nolly.livejournal.com]

As I said to tepintzen:
True, but the quip isn't "doing the same thing and getting different results". It's "doing the same thing and expecting different results". (No one that I know of has ever claimed this definition in any non-joking context.)

More specifically, the thought was a silly one that amused me, and thus I decided to share it. To the extent that there's a real point, it's highlighting the absurdity of that particular definition of insanity -- but since I've never heard anyone use that definition seriously, that's not much of a point.

[postrophe.livejournal.com]

Cool!
Another refutation of that idea is the whole "That which does not kill me makes me stronger" thing...

',

π

[redbird]

I don't expect different results. I expect the same desirable results--I will be strong, a bit healthier generally, and more cheerful than when I don't lift weights.

That I may be moving a greater mass of metal than six months ago isn't the point, and a good thing too, since in some cases I'm not

[abostick59.livejournal.com]

I don't know about anyone else, but I lift weights for pretty much the same reason I masturbate: It feels good when I do it.