Life In 19x19

That study plan is remarkably relaxed compared to the training routine for apprentice K-pop idols, which BBC news has just covered.Brutally inhumane and severe:


It was common to pass out from exhaustion. Often we had to help carry unconscious trainees back to the dorms.

I passed out twice during dance practice, probably because I was dehydrated or hadn't eaten enough. I woke up in bed not knowing how I got there.

The attitude among the trainees after that was like, "Good for her! She wants it so much!" Looking back on it now, I think it was really disgusting.

I found that I didn't really have good friends there, everyone was more like a colleague. The environment was way too tense and competitive to forge real friendships.

The stressful atmosphere was heightened by the monthly showcase events. Each trainee would perform in front of everyone and be evaluated by the instructors.

If a trainee didn't get a good grade, then they would be kicked out immediately.

More details: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/stories-51476159

I agree with that. We talk about pros studying a lot, but there are a number of pursuits that are less mild. Even studying for university in Korea is a lot more severe by my wife’s account than what I experienced in the US. Probably likewise for other asian countries.

That being said, there’s question as to whether this type of hour-after-hour study is efficient.

Kirby wrote:That being said, there’s question as to whether this type of hour-after-hour study is efficient.

He seems to be the best in the world, so this type of study gives results. He might burn out though

If the cultural norm is to study this hard, it might be that all the most talented players are self-sabotaging. In that case, you can go for a long time until someone realizes they're overdoing it.

There was a period where elite athletes thought you shouldn't weight train because it would make you too bulky.

Though I do agree, it's also possible that this kind of study is effective for a few years, but leads to a shorter career.

dust wrote:The stressful atmosphere was heightened by the monthly showcase events. Each trainee would perform in front of everyone and be evaluated by the instructors.

If a trainee didn't get a good grade, then they would be kicked out immediately.

Much of what passes for education is mainly a process of selection. The teacher doesn't have to be good, the student does.

Poor teacher rarely produce good student. In Go most (if not all) so called go prodigies had exceptionally good teachers.

AloneAgainstAll wrote:Poor teacher rarely produce good student. In Go most (if not all) so called go prodigies had exceptionally good teachers.

Unfortunately, that is unproven. I am quite willing to think that Segoe was a good teacher, but it's not like Go Seigen needed a good teacher. It is good for us that he was selected.

silviu22 wrote:

Kirby wrote:That being said, there’s question as to whether this type of hour-after-hour study is efficient.

He seems to be the best in the world, so this type of study gives results. He might burn out though

I was not surprised to read Shin's list: I don't think this study schedule is very special among pros, probably all young pros who are eager to reach the top or stay on top have to have very similar, intensive training.

I really want to give Shin's study plan a shot, but I have a feeling I wouldn't be able to sustain this kind of rigor for even one day


But also I have been considering starting a go stream. Maybe this will be a good challenge one of these days

kj01a wrote:I really want to give Shin's study plan a shot, but I have a feeling I wouldn't be able to sustain this kind of rigor for even one day


But also I have been considering starting a go stream. Maybe this will be a good challenge one of these days

I'd watch it! I tried streaming a couple of times myself, but it was hard to do much outside of mumbling. I'm thinking I'd either need to stream while sandbagging and/or improve my presentation skills.

It's a bit different than just playing a game of go, where you're typically not trying to make a show out of it.

Kirby wrote: I'd watch it! I tried streaming a couple of times myself, but it was hard to do much outside of mumbling. I'm thinking I'd either need to stream while sandbagging and/or improve my presentation skills.

It's a bit different than just playing a game of go, where you're typically not trying to make a show out of it.

I've streamed once or twice in the past, and I'm hoping I can make mumbling my gimmick

Also, I think if any kyu player such as myself does try this, I'm thinking it would be a good idea to substitute most (if not all) of the kifu study with L&D and tesuji problems. From my own experience, pro games, while fun, aren't nearly as efficient as problems in terms of what I'm able to apply to my games.