[ View Thread ] [ Post Response ] [ Return to Index ] [ Read Prev Msg ] [ Read Next Msg ]

BGonline.org Forums

Insightful comment about luck versus skill

Posted By: Tom Keith
Date: Saturday, 14 August 2010, at 12:08 p.m.

In Response To: Insightful comment about luck versus skill (Steve Mellen)

Suppose with years of practice I figure out how to flip a fair coin so that it lands heads 60% of the time. When a coin lands heads, I'm still lucky. But there is an element of skill too.

For most people, a coin flip is 100% luck. For me, a coin flip is 80% luck and 20% skill. (One fifth of the time I can force heads, the rest of the time it is random.)

This is the same as the archery situation. Good shooters hit the target more often, but not all the time. There is still an element of luck.

I don't think it is "lucky" to hit 50 bullseyes out of 50, unless he's blindfolded or something.

None of us has perfect vision. Some people have very good vision, but not perfect. Some people have very good muscle control, but not perfect. Some people are better at figuring out the wind conditions, but they are not perfect. Some people are better at compensating for defects in the arrows, but they are not perfect. That's why even the best shooters miss sometimes.

Messages In This Thread

 

Post Response
Your Name:
Your E-Mail Address:
Subject:
Message:

If necessary, enter your password below:

Password:
 

 

[ View Thread ] [ Post Response ] [ Return to Index ] [ Read Prev Msg ] [ Read Next Msg ]

BGonline.org Forums is maintained by Stick with WebBBS 5.12.