What in the world??? wrote:
... come up with your "World XC Power Rankings?" What is the complex computer formula you speak of that allows you to arrive at .8448 for the USA men and all those other numbers.
I mean, come on, it's lame enough that you practically plagiarizer Wikipedia with your plea for donations, but if you are going to concoct World XC Power Ratings and claim some computer formula, you ought to say what it is if you want to claim any credibility. Otherwise, it's just BS.
Of course, this just scratches the surface of all of the craziness from your years in the sport, but here and now, it's time for you to be called out (again).
Put up or shut up. If you have something worthwhile, then props to you, but if not ...
My name is David Taylor. Hello and thank you for the courtesy of an email to either myself or Aron requesting further information on what you cannot understand. Actually that email never came.
It is clear this is not an attempt to obtain information, but instead to inspire or attempt to encourage an outcome or outburst you will not have the liberty to receive in this manner of communication.
I personally wrote the formula and constructed the system that produces those statistics you are so concerned with. Currently I have a logistical prototype at Eastern Washington University as a research and development project. The foundational elements of that prototype, which was designed to ensure greater efficiency in Marine Forces Reserve logistical and fiscal fields, directly applied to this endeavor due to the computation similarities.
That being said, they are merely potential indicators and do not evaluate or compute the numerous variables that make head to head competition necessary. Keep it in perspective. It is true, anyone without any computation system could state unequivocally that Kenya could produce 3 and in some years 4 teams that could all place in the top 5 at worlds. However, it began with one team all those years ago in 1986 with a win that inspired Kenyan runners to be simply perfect in the most primitive pure environment: cross country. Rules ensure that only 6 of those current two dozen Kenyan supermen are capable of representing that nation at worlds, and that being said gives the American Runner an opportunity. To gather our best 6 to step up to the plate and swing the bat.
Yes, individuals have been successful at worlds. In some cases they have inspired others. But paradigm shifts take a collective movement with a dramatic exclamation even when that moment seems or is judged impossible. Some times you have to be the only one believing that what could happen, will happen.
I believe that sometime in the past there were "moments" that inspired the legends of today, that inspired "action" that was based on "purer" motives for a grander, impossible dream.
Try email next time, or phone, as it generally gets a more sincere and immediate response.