> Date: Fri, 04 May 2001 15:55:56 > From: "alan tobin" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: t-and-f: Jon Entine, can we get over this discussion? > > Even I am growing tired of this...:) Doesn't matter how many examples we put > out it will always be responded to with the individuals VS group thing. It's not a "thing" Alan. Science does not make theories from individual examples. In running, you have millions of examples to make a case or not. I am responding the way intelligent people respond who believe that statements should be backed up with empirical evidence, which you do not provide but is available--and which I cite in Taboo. > Also Jon, to say that one person out of a certain group of people will NEVER do > something is a pretty ignorant statement. Generally, you're right, but I can assure you a Watusi will NEVER become the world's strongest man. And that's NOT a stupid statement. Sometimes, such declarations, which I rarely have used, are appropriate. >Not saying that you are ignortant, > just the statement is. There is always the possibility of individuals doing > extraordinary things. Can you see the future Jon? I bet you probably thought > that a Greek would never win the Olympic 200m? That statement shows how little you have yet grasped from this debate. If you had read Taboo, you would have recognized that such an event was hardly that extraordinary. First, the time was just okay...not among the top few hundred of all time. Second, Meditterannean countries have had a lot of gene exchange, as geneticists have long documented, making such a occurance now and then likely. It is no surprise that many of the top "white" runners come from southern Meditterranean countries. >Individual successes are > always possible. Theoretically, but not pratically. That's like saying it is possible the we will find a woman who is the world's tallest human. Sure it's possible... But your statement, for all intent and purpose, is totally meaningless in terms of the issues at hand. >I will agree that in this point in time you are right. The > East/North Africans as a group will dominate distance running. I would say > that 80 years ago the same could have been said about the Finnish. As a > group they dominated distance running. Same could also have been said 20 > years ago about the GBTC. There's a huge difference. IT WAS NOT NEARLY A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD THEN. Now that Africans are ABLE to compete, the story is different. This is a totally bogus point you're making. Compare the old Finn times against today's times. > > I am agreeing with you Jon. Given your findings you are right. Your > statistics prove you right. As a group the East/North Africans are dominate > and no individual successes will prove you wrong. > > Anyone remember how this got started? I believe it was Jon posting some > article of his? Well, Jon at least you've drummed up some interest in your > book. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ I only wish Alan. I've barely covered the advance, which means I still need a day job. > > Alan -- Jon Entine RuffRun 6178 Grey Rock Rd. Agoura Hills, CA 91301 (818) 991-9803 [FAX] 991-9804 http://www.jonentine.com
