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Why Are We Trying to Improve?

Good post, I remember playing you on chess.com (I'm Narz on there).

Fragile truce between ego & 'higher' motivations is a good way to put it. I don't think we can achieve much based on purely 'high' goals, we're animals at the end of the day & the beast needs to be satisfied or it won't comply.

@Valdemar21 said ^

I have two thoughts: could it be possible that younger players are better in chess because the training methods are developed for them? Or is it because the brain functions different and a better condition.

Look at a puppy vs an old dog, a puppy simply has more energy, it feels less pain, it's rearing to rip.

I kinda didn't believe in aging til I hit my early 40s and had another child, aging is real, no joke, and must be accounted for. Doesn't mean you can't improve, it just takes a lot more focus.

@Valdemar21 said ^

Could psychedelics like mushrooms help to make the brain flexible again? Or is flexibility trainable?

It can help but lifestyle is more important. It can help by reminding you that creativity & hopefulness are still possible & thereby increase motivation.

Good post, I remember playing you on chess.com (I'm Narz on there). Fragile truce between ego & 'higher' motivations is a good way to put it. I don't think we can achieve much based on purely 'high' goals, we're animals at the end of the day & the beast needs to be satisfied or it won't comply. @Valdemar21 said [^](/forum/redirect/post/wDcgJnQS) > I have two thoughts: could it be possible that younger players are better in chess because the training methods are developed for them? Or is it because the brain functions different and a better condition. Look at a puppy vs an old dog, a puppy simply has more energy, it feels less pain, it's rearing to rip. I kinda didn't believe in aging til I hit my early 40s and had another child, aging is real, no joke, and must be accounted for. Doesn't mean you can't improve, it just takes a lot more focus. @Valdemar21 said [^](/forum/redirect/post/wDcgJnQS) >Could psychedelics like mushrooms help to make the brain flexible again? Or is flexibility trainable? It can help but lifestyle is more important. It can help by reminding you that creativity & hopefulness are still possible & thereby increase motivation.

It's fun! And, it's always possible to improve. Not to the point of World Champion or with age perhaps even significantly, as chess is such a "large" game, but it's worthwhile. It's well understood that staying active mentally as well as physically is important to health. So, keep trying and be happy.

It's fun! And, it's always possible to improve. Not to the point of World Champion or with age perhaps even significantly, as chess is such a "large" game, but it's worthwhile. It's well understood that staying active mentally as well as physically is important to health. So, keep trying and be happy.