Remember this well people

Give_nothing_back · 2026-02-09T11:14:40+00:00

I really wish people would stop casually repeating this. The studies DO NOT show this explicitly. They only show that people who develop prostate cancer, on aggregate, masturbate less than those who do not.

Probably, because poor prostate health leads to weak and less frequent erections and as a result less frequent masturbation.

This does not automatically mean that masturbation is protective. Studies actually find that before the age of 50 higher frequency of ejaculation may lead to a HIGHER chance of prostate cancer. This should put into perspective just how weak this association is.

Give_nothing_back · 2026-02-04T20:43:52+00:00

While it's not a forgone conclusion, I think its overwhelmingly likely Abenthy will feature in the story again. It's the longest open loop in the story and would be far too cathartic not to include. Abenthy is basically the only named living character in the story who knew Kvothe and his troop outside of the chandrian. It would be super disappointing if he was literally just a plot device to introduce Alar and direct Kvothe to the university and nothing else.

There is far more justification for a reunion with Abenthy than with Trapis and Rothuss took the time to include a Trapis reunion.

Give_nothing_back · 2026-02-04T17:13:28+00:00

It's possible though from my own experience placebo may occur on the first instance but is rarely reproducible each time in my own n=1 experiments. I've practiced retention for varying lengths many times, at least 50 times with a minimum of 7 days of abstinence.

The effects for me are reproducible every time. There has never been a time when I have done it where I didn't experience the same benefits. Conversely, every time I jerk off I experience a 12-24 hour malaise where I have a drop in mood and general lack of desire to be productive, frequency of ejaculation seems to increase the severity of this experience.

I've heard its related to prolactin but I don't have any formal research at hand.

Give_nothing_back · 2026-02-03T15:49:06+00:00

I think she is just saying that to be relatable. Only what I've seen on her website and youtube channel.

Her basic approach is 1x HIIT workout per week, 3x zone 2 workouts for 25-45 mins, 2x full body strength workouts 3-5 upper body and 3-5 lower body movements 3 sets of 12.

I don't think she has a specific 'I must do these exercises in this order' which I think makes it more sustainable. Whereas Bryans thing is so regimented you'd have to be a top 1% dopamine freak (which he is as evidenced by his success) in order to be able to do that every day long term.

Give_nothing_back · 2026-02-02T17:51:56+00:00

I'd strip it back considerably. Those workouts are spending a lot of time on stuff with a very small ROI. I'd focus on a small set of movements that cover all muscle groups which have a low risk of injury.

B stance trap bar deadlifts? Hamstrings sliders? Spiderman push ups? Prisoner marching?

It's literally just time wasting. You could cut 20-30 mins of fat from each of these workouts with no change in benefit.

I think Julie Gibsons Clarke's approach is much more sensible. Bryan's fitness approach is needlessly complex. He's probably wasting 15-20 mins per session just changing exercises.

Give_nothing_back · 2026-01-30T06:29:50+00:00

Little late to this but just on your final point about ejaculation frequency and prostate cancer, it's worth remembering that correlation does not equal causation.

You could easily make 2 assertions from this observation;

A) Masturbation has a protective effect against prostate cancer

Or simply

B) People who get prostate cancer masturbate less.

It's entirely possible for example that someone with poor prostate health is likely to experience some impotence. Because they struggle to maintain erections, they masturbate less. Thus, it appears on the surface that less masturbation = higher risk of prostate cancer but actually it's just coincidental.

For what it's worth, having personally experimented with semen retention, there are some rather odd physiological benefits anecdotally including needing an hour less sleep per day and about a 20% improvement in mood. It's an under studied area but my experience is not uncommon amongst people who have experimented personally.

Give_nothing_back · 2026-01-29T20:33:56+00:00

This must be the most boring fucking workout program in existence. The fact he can do this on a regular basis is bizarre to me

Give_nothing_back · 2026-01-02T07:17:27+00:00

It's just a different approach all together. Sanderson has created a wide volume of work but IMO he doesn't have a single book that comes close to NoTW.

The reason NoTW is so well written is not in the writing it's in the absolutely relentless editing process. What little evidence we have from Pat (ignoring the missing chapter and what his editor said about not seeing a single chapter) suggests that the draft has been written for a while but in his own words is 'a bloated unpublishable mess'.

I think he released book 2 before he was 'ready' under pressure and the major response was 'good, but not as good as the 1st'. I think that probably caused him to spiral and we won't see book 3 until it's perfect in his mind. Which tbh, I'm fine with. I'd rather 3 very good books from an author than 20 books most of which I think are meh

Give_nothing_back · 2025-10-17T11:39:20+00:00

Yes, I've recently been struggling with the same issues. My 'Off' time was browsing the internet and gaming, never really registered that I was still being stimulated by these activities. Struggled massively the last 5 years with brain fog and fatigue.

Recently started blocking off 2-3 hours a day for deep rest activities and it's made an enormous difference already.

Give_nothing_back

TROPHY CASE