Re: Top Shot
I've been the "Expert" for 4 episodes of Top Shot now. What I can tell you after having been there is that what you see from your sofa is not the totality of the circumstances.
The stress factor weighs heavily on people when they know EVERYONE they've ever met is going to see them compete and judge them accordingly. This stress is not always beneficial to optimal performance.
At the highest level of counter-terrorist operations, we were tested again and again under various stressful conditions to inoculate us from the negative impact of stress upon human performance in a sudden, violent conflict crisis. This inoculation is particularly valuable when put to the test in real world application. Combat? of course. TV? would help there, too.
Here's an example of how good marksmen can fail a simple test which they are more than capable of performing in a relaxed state. On a contract I work, I recently saw 10 out of 12 seasoned operators from various service branches fail a shooting stress course they had been successfully practicing all week. Why? Because this time it was being judged by those who would decide whether or not these men had a job. Fail. Why? Stress. All conditions were the exact same, other than the fact they were being observed by men with stop watches and clip boards.
In addition to the stress factor of a major cable company crew surrounding them with expensive cameras everywhere, focused on their every move, you also have to consider many of these shooters make their living with pistols, not long guns. Yet, they had the courage to show up and compete on national television even though they knew they'd have anything and everything thrown at them.
If you don't have the courage to step up and put yourself on the line, how can you judge those who do? If that stings a bit, it probably should.
I applaud the show for putting shooting out there to the American people in a positive, responsible and FUN light when the rest of the media deliberately portray guns only as instruments of senseless murder and tragedy. That's a very good thing.
I also applaud the competitors for stepping up and giving it a go, even though they knew it would be an awkward situation viewed by their peers and only one could ultimately win.
When I see posts that demonstrate no respect or consideration for the factors reality presents, I figure I'm seeing some young kids who haven't been tested at anything, much less a competition against world-class marksmen in an unknown format on national television.
Suggestion: If you pull the banter up to a more professional level, you might be surprised how much more respect you'll get in return. Just a thought from a casual passer by who's been around the block.
Yes, there were some serious mistakes made by some of those on Top Shot. No excuses. That's the whole entertainment value of testing people like that on TV. There are no do-overs. If you screw up, it's out there for EVERYBODY to see and slam. Risky biz and kinda fun to observe.
There are a lot more shows like this to come. I've been invited to compete in some and be the host of others. There's plenty of opportunity to get out there and live, first hand, what I'm describing. I say, if you're good, get out there and give it a shot. Then, when you're done, share the experience with your forum buddies and let them know what it was like. Beats just hanging back and running people down without knowing. Besides, you might win a ton of cool stuff...
All the best,
~SAW
www.tacticalinsider.com
