2007/12/25 Santiago
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Thriving under pressue

Judging performance

A study conducted by the Israeli army about the performance of combat soldiers concludes that there is no relation between assessments before the war and the actual performance of the soldiers during war: ‘A battalion commander told Haaretz that his experience during the war taught him not to judge soldiers' performance at times of crisis based on their performance during periods of calm. Quiet soldiers who rarely stand out are usually those that displayed equanimity and initiative during the war, he said.

"To stand up, storm [a position], lead others, cope under pressure and perform at times of uncertainty, these qualities are very difficult to see in soldiers in advance," an IDF source said. "In many instances, it turns out the complacent, quiet ones are those who thrive under pressure."’

The opposite might be true as well. Those who thrive under pressure will fail in times of peace.
Maybe the hardship of a “crisis” or “pressure” could be considered a medicine.


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27 comments Last_comment
Arnon
What's exactly 'medicine' in your mind? Does it heal or is it just bringing a relief? By the way, i asked you why do you think i confuse love with parasitism, and you never answered.
said Neria Biala 25/12/2007 20:41 • x
Medicine
From my personal modest experiences I would consider severe stress (not a simple crises or pressure) not a medicine but a powerful drug you can get addicted too. Yes those powerful drugs (like amphetamine and cocaine) can make you euphoric and decisive, but they are very treacherous in the long term
said Jan Thys 26/12/2007 16:22 • x
Jan
Same same. i agree with you.
said Neria Biala 26/12/2007 17:38 • x
I found salvage in some drugs. They 're supposed to make me more focussed, I'm not sure if they work..
said Dens Powells 26/12/2007 18:50 • x
Dens
Ritalin?
said Oscar Wilde 26/12/2007 22:12 • x
O.
exactly
said Dens Powells 26/12/2007 22:30 • x
Neria
I meant an antidepressant. As to your other question: go back to your earlier comments and read your definition of love.
said Arnon Grunberg 26/12/2007 22:45 • x
Arnon
Jesus Arnon, is a baby a parasite?
said Neria Biala 27/12/2007 04:20 • x
Arnon
Correction. Please ignore the former question. i would like to know if you name the love for a baby 'parasitism'.
said Neria Biala 27/12/2007 06:33 • x
Arnon,

What you write here is judging from my own experiences true.

But, my theory is that the boys/men who act cool, calm, focused and act based only on the facts around them, not by the noise or fears are quiet in the calm periods because they know, and feel that they do not need the bravado and though talk. Only shortly after " the deeds" it happens that all brag to let off steam.
said Pim Heijselaar 27/12/2007 11:29 • x
Neria
You are not a baby.
said Arnon Grunberg 27/12/2007 15:33 • x
Arnon
i don't need you in order to know that i am not a baby. You're simply not serious enough (maybe because you're not paid to answer my questions).
said Neria Biala 27/12/2007 16:00 • x
Neria
There’s a thing called introspection. Please familiarize yourself with this thing called introspection. Thanks.
said Arnon Grunberg 28/12/2007 00:35 • x
Arnon
The maximum introspection you can do is to fold yourself into your nose and tell us what you see from there. You're more enchanted with the sentences you throw but you hardly take the time to read comments carefully and then decide if you're capable at all of answering them, or if you even want to do so.
i was mistaken to think this was a dialogue
said Neria Biala 28/12/2007 06:29 • x
Yesterday I had someone look up my nose. He was a doctor, but still. I've never had anyone look up my nose. It felt quite pleasant, I must say. But that's not the kind of introspective looking you're looking for I guess?
said Dens Powells 28/12/2007 13:29 • x
Dens
i'm seven hours ahead of you, and since obviously you did not read my reply to Arnon i can only conclude that when people wake up they think the same thoughts. Disturbing.
said Neria Biala 28/12/2007 15:26 • x
@Neria,

Why is it obvious I didn't read your comment to Mr. Arnon? Maybe I was speaking to you through my comment?
said Dens Powells 29/12/2007 17:50 • x
Dens
i wonder then what did you want to obtain with your comment. i'm suddenly pained with the idea you really thought i understood 'introspection' literally, failling to acknowledge Arnon's hostility and my sarcasm in return.
i placed my questions to Arnon with a sincere interest and was waved away.
Next time you'll want to open my eyes i suggest you will avoid going round and round conveying messages through somebody else. Also, i think, objectively you're patronising and i wonder what do you get from it. Arnon's silent approval? You're underestimating Arnon's abilities coping with me, i don't think he needs anybody's assitance. Collegiality and loyalty are blessed, but you spoil them if you're incapable of expressing them openly.
said Neria Biala 29/12/2007 18:26 • x
Dens
Plus, if you are not familiarised with the term and you were asking me whether this is what i meant with introspection, then, literally speaking, the experience you had two days ago cannot be introspection unless the Doctor and you were the same person.
said Neria Biala 29/12/2007 18:41 • x
@Neria
I'm quite grasped by your comment(s). I tend not to make any sarcastic or ironic remarks. I just wrote a comment about my visit to the doctor, which you reminded me of when you were talking about "looking up the nose". I didn't want to empose anything.

But the fact that you're so aggitated tells me a lot.
said Dens Powells 29/12/2007 23:47 • x
Dens
i apologize then. The man i love dumped me seconds before, probably my pain and rage on him were unfairly directed to you.
i'm sorry.
said Neria Biala 30/12/2007 04:23 • x
Being dumped is never fun. But dumping isn't either.
(O, Coincidence) My old girlfriend (he one I never loved) text-messaged me this morning: "I want you to be my baby again!" I'm trying my best to get rid of my mom, and then someone else is trying to adopt me. It's just not fair, is it.

But I'm sorry for you, Neria.
said Dens Powells 30/12/2007 16:03 • x
Dens
Thanks. i'm waiting for the stage where one wonders what was it all about. My defences seem to built more quickly and seem to be more effective with the years. i'm not sure this is a good sign.
Anyway, there are leaks, as you have felt, and i'm sorry i wasn't calm enough and misinterpreted your nose comment.

Don't you ever want your partners to take care of you as if you were a baby (not in a patronising manner, and not the entire time you spend with them)?
said Neria Biala 30/12/2007 17:06 • x
No, I want my partners to be independent, yet fragile.
said Dens Powells 30/12/2007 17:47 • x
Dens
Interesting. Do you know why would you like them to be fragile?

With no relation to partners, do you ever feel a need to be loved without having to give anything in return (my idea of a baby)?
said Neria Biala 30/12/2007 19:48 • x
I believe a baby gives his present in return. Like a (loyal) dog. He's there for companionship.
The idea of receiving love without giving. That's something to think about. Maybe I do.

Fragile, to me, is that they could be so high, that when they fall, they break. If you're not high enough, you don't break easily. But in other aspects as well. Fragile is something from which you think it wouldn't last. I'm a big fan of change. Temporarily beauty. Something like that.
said Dens Powells 30/12/2007 22:09 • x
Dens
Thanks for your answer.

Personally i think that people who bring children to the world in order to escape their own feeling of loneliness are incapable of loving.
said Neria Biala 31/12/2007 03:51 • x
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