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Notes -
I think we're mainly in agreement, I don't actually interrupt the love bombing. But sometimes it is not so clear that the lift isn't dangerous. On the bench at what weight does interjecting about danger into the hype session make sense? If the person has only ever benched a plate and is reaching for 155lbs of course you'd be a jerk, that's well within reason. But two plates? Three? They could actually die if the spotter slips up.
But even that doesn't quite fit, I know that lifting three plates is still theoretically possible, and a good goal even if it's probably beyond this friend today. What if instead of training at all they're getting those ridiculous synthol injections on the theory that they actually make them stronger. And there is a popular movement with the slogan "synthol makes you strong" that everyone chants as this poor fellow asks not to be spotted.
I think these shibboleths come from a desire to be kind and good and helpful. But I don't think they are kind or good or helpful. This delusion is hurting their friend and it will hurt others as they normalize it.
Yes I do think I overreached there. As I said I have trouble articulating my trouble with this pathological empathy. There is something there but it evades my grasp.
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