Lifestyle: bro science, part0

Self-tutoring about ways of thinking: the tutor begins about bro science.

Back in 2018, my older son became a body builder. Suddenly, I joined him: we would visit the gym together and do reps of all kinds. I’d never lifted weights, so it was all new to me, but very cool.

I did get stronger, but nowhere near what my son gained. He was a phenom. I was stronger than he was, when we started. Within a few months, however, he surpassed me. The difference kept widening: within a year, I realized that he’d become stronger than I could hope to ever be, even if I continued strength training.

Part of the reason for my son’s success was his research. He tirelessly watched YouTube and read articles about strength training. He planned each workout we would do at the gym. Driving there, he’d explain to me the sets we were going to do, and why.

Early on, my son mentioned bro science, and how it wasn’t to be trusted. The trouble, he pointed out, was that very often people would believe it.

Bro science often seems to make sense, from a certain point of view. Moreover, it’s usually based on someone’s experience – an attempt to explain something they’ve lived or observed.

One example of bro science is the idea that “fat turns into muscle.” Of course, that’s not true. However, since people who carry more fat seem to gain muscle more easily as well, it seems to be the case.

Bro science is not only intuitive, but can also be comforting. At the gym on a Saturday afternoon, it’s tempting to trust that bro science is true and that the world makes sense as you work through your sets. Reality can be much more complicated, but does it have to be? There and then, perhaps not:)