Back from Research Project

[Fisted Sophist]

Greetings, old friends!

It's been some years since I've been around these parts.  I've been working on an intense research project over at the Theoretical Throws Bureau, getting to the bottom of the "vertical paper" trend that we've seen in Japan for some decades now.  Perhaps in good time I'll be able to share some of my findings with all of you.

It's good to see so many familiar names still around.  I trust you are all doing well.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if you find yourself encountering throws of bomb, dynamite, Spock, or lizard.  (Speaking of which, one interesting statistic this past year was that, contrary to our predictions, we saw a plunge--not an increase--of the instances of the Spock throw in regulation play this year, despite the release of a new Star Trek movie.  Thoughts anyone?)

Fisted Sophist
National Executive, Theoretical Throws Bureau
"Rock still beats scissors."

[martinburley]

Great to see you around again, Fisted Sophist. The NZ RPS heats start this evening. I'll let you know if I notice any interesting trends in throws, legal or otherwise. Last year saw a spate of Twisted Scissors being thrown as some competitors attempted to emulate their local hero, but most of them soon discovered that it takes considerable training to pull that particular throw off effectively.

[martinburley]

As for Spock, the only possibility I can think of was that its appearance on The Big Bang Theory (where the players kept tying by throwing Spock repeatedly) may have shifted its image from 'ironic and different' to 'geeky and pointless'.

Another theory is that in years when there is less in the way of Star Trek TV shows/movies, closet Trekkers may throw Spock more often due to withdrawal symptoms, while this year they have been kept happy by the release of the movie and don't feel the same need to bring Star Trek into other aspects of their lives such as their RPS games.

[Brad Fox]

Welcome back FS! I look forward to when your findings are ready for publication. I know, at least at the worlds, we've seen a real decrease in illegal throws over the past couple of years... I have a gut feeling a smarter man than I could find a corrolation with the global economic downturn, but I'll leave that to academia.

[tandyboy]

Welcome back

I am glad to know someone is out there doing this type of research

[C. Urbanus]

Welcome back FS! I look forward to when your findings are ready for publication. I know, at least at the worlds, we've seen a real decrease in illegal throws over the past couple of years... I have a gut feeling a smarter man than I could find a corrolation with the global economic downturn, but I'll leave that to academia.

Yes...decrease in illegal throws says Mr. I-ref-one-tournament-a-year.  If that's what you'd like to think Brad, then I'll let you keep living in Fairytale Land (Toronto).

On the flip side, It's good to see you around these parts again, Fisted Sophist.  I look forward to reviewing your study and if you happen to be passing through Philadelphia please do drop us a line at the local RPS HQ.

[Brad Fox]

Hey - I like hyperbole as much as the next ten million guys C, but let's be clear... I don't think I reffed *any* tournaments last yet.