Lindy Effect in Fitness
One of the characteristics of a true Bro Scientists is bullshit detection.
Fitness is physical, if something works, its usually obvious that it works.
If something is slow to work, you can observe this over time. It requires you to pay attention.
If something does not work at all and there is no identifiable cause and effect, then it does not work.
You cannot cheat results.
This BS detection also leads to established Lindy Effect (credit to Taleb on this one)
Lindy Effect-a concept that the future life expectancy of some non-perishable things like a technology or an idea is proportional to their current age, so that every additional period of survival implies a longer remaining life expectancy.[1] Where the Lindy effect applies, mortality rate decreases with time
~Wikipedia Definition~
Laymans Terms Definition
- The concept longer something has been in use, the greater the likelihood of it continuing to be used. This is because it works for whatever its intended usage is. If it has been used for a long time, its probably not going away.
Example—>A tried and proven idea is likely to prove itself superior to a trending "new and improved" idea that is untested
How does the Lindy Effect apply in fitness? Many ways
-Exercise has not changed in thousands of years. Squats, deadlift, push, pull, the same movements that people have done since the dawn of time are what get you strong and muscular.
-Barbells, dumbbells, bodyweight-these training implements and methods have existed in some form or another for centuries (or in the case of bodyweight, essentially forever)
-Physical culture goes back a few centuries, military training goes back millennia. Medicine is a few thousands years old as well, recommendations haven't ever changed
--Eat wholesome food
--be able to walk vigorously
--a strong body is a strong mind
--Your thinking creates your being
Fitness is health, and health is eternal. The same practices that applied in 2000BC apply today.
Why should you keep this in mind?
Because fitness marketing is notorious for being bullshit laden
-State of the art
-Revolutionary
-Cutting Edge
-"A Study says..."
This is what makes general health information so confusing. There is no cohesiveness to any of the information.
At the same time, Innovation DOES Happen
For example, machines for resistance training. There was a bias against machines for years, but machines use the same principles of physics that free weights do, and are equally effective for muscle and strength building.
And Science DOES provide support and lead to insight
The extent of scientific knowledge today on human nutrition essentials, metabolism and physiology is fantastic.
We know what our bodies need, and what makes us healthy.
There is always a dynamic balance between is what known and what is being studied and unknown
Over the years, I've come to appreciate the usage of heuristics and "do this" recommendations. You don't necessarily need to impart "deep knowledge" for your actions to have deep impact, and when you teach people for a living, you're always looking for ways to simplify the delivery and amplify the execution.
My Motto is"Eat Clean, Live Lean, Train Mean" , it is grounded in heuristics.
If you do those three things, you SHOULD Be healthy. You probably wont know the intricacies of biochemistry, the nuances of social psychology, the specificities of biomechanics, but then again you don't NEED to.
-Consume whole foods, as its reasonable to assume that what been healthy for people historically will be healthy for you in the present
-Sleep well and minimize stress, as stress quite obviously affects health, and sleep is the foundation for energy.
-Train to be strong and muscular. Gravity pulls straight down, weak people die faster and are easier to kill. Strength and muscle give you infinite advantages
Internalize these and live them well.