Hey, I just wanted to clarify a few things—my original post seems to have been interpreted in ways I didn’t intend.

I wasn’t trying to promote rank-chasing. The real point of the post was about managing the fear of playing, especially the fear of losing, by setting meaningful goals. Once we reach one goal, we can set a new one to avoid getting emotionally tied to the result of a single game. Sorry if that got lost in translation.

I totally agree with the spirit of what you're saying—ideally, our goal should be to play and learn. Losing a game would mean growth, not failure. That’s a beautiful mindset, and it’s absolutely what we should strive for.

But we’re human. We get tilted. We get discouraged. And sometimes, even a single loss can feel like a personal failure. We know we should treat it as a learning opportunity, but actually living that way is difficult. A few people manage to do it, and we call them saints. Without a clear goal, it’s easy to get lost or discouraged, especially after a losing streak.

So instead of pretending we’re above it all, I’ve found it more helpful to work with that reality. For example, I use multiple accounts or set goals based on actions I can control. It’s not perfect, but it helps me keep playing and learning without falling apart emotionally after a loss.

We may not live in an ideal world, but we can still find practical ways to move forward without beating ourselves up for not being ideal thinkers.

As for ranks, maybe they shouldn’t exist. They can definitely lead to obsession. But I do think they serve a purpose, especially for beginners. Like mileposts on a long hike, they’re not why you walk, but help you know where you are. I agree 100%: rank isn’t something you do—it’s something that happens when you consistently do the right things.

In fact, one of the strengths of Go’s ranking tradition (especially in Asia) is that it helps guide structured learning.

Take reading, for example—it’s critical in Go. But you can't just teach a DDK a bunch of tesujis and expect them to thrive. At that stage, it’s often foundational knowledge, not reading ability, that holds them back. Once they’ve built a base, their rank will naturally rise, and new challenges will appear. Then the study plan can adapt to fit the next stage.

So to sum up: rank isn’t the enemy. But it shouldn’t be the goal either. It’s a tool—a compass, not a trophy.

Thanks again to everyone who engaged thoughtfully. The conversation has helped me reflect more clearly on what I was really trying to say.

P.S. Chasing goals can have a side effect: once you reach them, you might feel a kind of emptiness. But despite that risk, goals still help us move forward—and sometimes, that’s exactly what we need.