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Smarter Every Day did a YouTube video on this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CUojMQgDpM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CUojMQgDpM) where he talks about the

Smarter Every Day did a YouTube video on this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CUojMQgDpM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CUojMQgDpM) where he talks about the phenomenon and also talks to the exact same guys featured in this New Yorker article. I think he does a much better job than the New Yorker article, too. Destin also notes that, countries that study curling tend to win olympic medals. He said that in 2014, and it's interesting to note that both Sweden and Canada won medals in curling in both 2014 and 2018. [Edit: Though I believe he did say it after the 2014 games.]

peeters 9y ago
Canada has won medals in men's and women's curling every year since they reintroduced it in 1998. 2018 was actually the first year we didn't, winning only in the new mixed doubles event. The Swedish women have medalled in all but one. So I wouldn't read too much into this. Countries where curling is popular tend to win Olympic curling medals, and countries where curling is popular also tend to study it.
- sigzero 9y ago
  This was the first year I watched the event. I knew "generally" what curling was but not I am hooked. I loved watching it. Going to see if there is a team close by.
  - tempestn 9y ago
    It really is fun to at least try. I've only gone once, but had a blast.
  - flukus 9y ago
    For anyone that lives in a warmer climate, can't ice skate or wants more to watch I'd suggest you checkout lawn bowls (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowls https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowls). The games are very similar and typically people that like one like the other.
    - SubiculumCode 9y ago
      Maybe, that is they add a lawnmower or rake in front of the bocci ball. :-)
      - peeters 9y ago
        Common mistake, but lawn bowling is very different than bocce. Bocce balls are uniform spheres that you can either roll or lob. They travel in a straight line. Lawn bowling balls are oblate spheroids that are weighted on one side so that they will always curve in a certain direction (more for light throws, so you can draw around a guard like in curling). They are always rolled. So it really is a lot more like curling than bocce, though granted there is nothing analogous to sweeping.
        SubiculumCode 9y ago
        Thanks. Didn't know.
Moodles 9y ago
It might be the case that countries that invest in the study of curling will also produce better curlers. It might also be the case that a country that is mad about curling will produce good curlers, and have scientists who are interested in studying it. It's a great video from SmartEveryDay though.
snarf21 9y ago
Also ~80% of the world's curlers are in Canada (1M+). They shouldn't be losing to anyone.
- turingcompeteme 9y ago
  The rest of the world is quickly catching up though, and Canadian coaches are moving abroad to coach these teams. South Korea, China, Japan, Switzerland, and Great Britain are all now competitive teams that are coached by Canadians.
  - 3131s 9y ago
    And the US mens curling team won in Seoul, featuring 4 guys from Minnesota and 1 from Wisconsin. Although it's a small state, Minnesota is a powerhouse contributor to winter sports like curling and hockey for the US.
WhompingWindows 9y ago
Seems the obvious confounder for that correlation is that countries who win olympic medals actually care about curling. Whereas, those countries where there is not enthusiasm for curling, why would a researcher be inspired/motivated to study these phenomena? I doubt the researchers are directly affecting the play of any curler, since the researchers themselves can not understand the curling of the stones anyway.
Exuma 9y ago
I love when he says "and DONT kneel on the ice" as it shows someone kneeling on the ice messing it up.
zodPod 9y ago
> I think he does a much better job than the New Yorker article, too. Not shocking at all! Destin is amazing and it seems like the New Yorker article as written by a wannabe comedian or something who was trying to work lame punchlines in everywhere instead of inform us of something.
just_one_time_ 9y ago
I feel I get dumber every second when I have watched his videos in the past.
schoen 9y ago
The top YouTube comment on the video (by "The Beast") is pretty excellent: "This is all science friction to me."

peeters 9y ago

Canada has won medals in men's and women's curling every year since they reintroduced it in 1998. 2018 was actually the first year we didn't, winning only in the new mixed doubles event. The Swedish women have medalled in all but one. So I wouldn't read too much into this. Countries where curling is popular tend to win Olympic curling medals, and countries where curling is popular also tend to study it.

sigzero 9y ago
This was the first year I watched the event. I knew "generally" what curling was but not I am hooked. I loved watching it. Going to see if there is a team close by.
- tempestn 9y ago
  It really is fun to at least try. I've only gone once, but had a blast.
- flukus 9y ago
  For anyone that lives in a warmer climate, can't ice skate or wants more to watch I'd suggest you checkout lawn bowls (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowls https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowls). The games are very similar and typically people that like one like the other.
  - SubiculumCode 9y ago
    Maybe, that is they add a lawnmower or rake in front of the bocci ball. :-)
    - peeters 9y ago
      Common mistake, but lawn bowling is very different than bocce. Bocce balls are uniform spheres that you can either roll or lob. They travel in a straight line. Lawn bowling balls are oblate spheroids that are weighted on one side so that they will always curve in a certain direction (more for light throws, so you can draw around a guard like in curling). They are always rolled. So it really is a lot more like curling than bocce, though granted there is nothing analogous to sweeping.
      - SubiculumCode 9y ago
        Thanks. Didn't know.

Moodles 9y ago

It might be the case that countries that invest in the study of curling will also produce better curlers. It might also be the case that a country that is mad about curling will produce good curlers, and have scientists who are interested in studying it. It's a great video from SmartEveryDay though.

snarf21 9y ago

Also ~80% of the world's curlers are in Canada (1M+). They shouldn't be losing to anyone.

turingcompeteme 9y ago
The rest of the world is quickly catching up though, and Canadian coaches are moving abroad to coach these teams. South Korea, China, Japan, Switzerland, and Great Britain are all now competitive teams that are coached by Canadians.
- 3131s 9y ago
  And the US mens curling team won in Seoul, featuring 4 guys from Minnesota and 1 from Wisconsin. Although it's a small state, Minnesota is a powerhouse contributor to winter sports like curling and hockey for the US.

WhompingWindows 9y ago

Seems the obvious confounder for that correlation is that countries who win olympic medals actually care about curling. Whereas, those countries where there is not enthusiasm for curling, why would a researcher be inspired/motivated to study these phenomena? I doubt the researchers are directly affecting the play of any curler, since the researchers themselves can not understand the curling of the stones anyway.

Exuma 9y ago

I love when he says "and DONT kneel on the ice" as it shows someone kneeling on the ice messing it up.

zodPod 9y ago

> I think he does a much better job than the New Yorker article, too. Not shocking at all! Destin is amazing and it seems like the New Yorker article as written by a wannabe comedian or something who was trying to work lame punchlines in everywhere instead of inform us of something.

just_one_time_ 9y ago

I feel I get dumber every second when I have watched his videos in the past.

schoen 9y ago

The top YouTube comment on the video (by "The Beast") is pretty excellent: "This is all science friction to me."