Better

Let’s talk about “better”.  We hear it all the time, and it’s one of those little words that people tend to throw around but never really seem to define, or quantify.  Quick disclaimer here: I am a firm believer in the concept that an unexamined life is not worth living.  If you’re not, and you’re one of those guys that obsesses over his lawn and pool, and what tie to wear today, and whether or not the wife will make your favorite meal for dinner, all to avoid asking any sort of questions that might lead to uncomfortable answers, this post probably isn’t for you.  You, the Cognitively Dissonent, are what the firearms industry lives off of, so by all means carry on.

Better.  Let’s define it.  Let’s start at the beginning with dictionary.com

bet·ter

1    [bet-er]  Show IPA
adjective, compar. of good with best as superl.
1. of superior quality or excellence: a better coat; a better speech.
2. morally superior; more virtuous: They are no better than thieves.
3. of superior suitability, advisability, desirability,acceptableness, etc.; preferable: a better time for action.
4. larger; greater: the better part of a lifetime.
5. improved in health; healthier than before.

adverb, compar. of well with best as superl.
7. in a more appropriate or acceptable way or manner: to behave better.
8. to a greater degree; more completely or thoroughly: He knows the way better than we do. I probably know him better than anyone else.
9. more: I walked better than a mile to town.

verb (used with object)
10. to increase the good  qualities of; make better;  improve: to better the lot of the suburban commuter.
11. to improve upon; surpass; exceed: We have bettered last year's production record.
12. Cards . to raise (a previous bid).

noun
13. that which has greater excellence or is preferable or wiser:the better of two choices.
14. Usually, betters. those superior to one in wisdom, wealth,etc.

Idioms
15. better off,

a. in better circumstances.

b. more fortunate; happier: Because of his asthma, he would be better off in a different climate.

16. better oneself, to improve one's social standing, financial position, or education: He is going to night school because he wants to better himself.
17. for the better, in a way that is an improvement: His health changed for the better.
18. get / have the better of,

a. to get an advantage over.

b. to prevail against.

19. go (someone) one better, to exceed the effort of; be superior to: The neighbors went us one better by buying two new cars.

Origin:
before 900; Middle English bettre, Old English bet(t )( e ) ra;  cognate with Old High German bezziro  ( German besser ), Dutch beter, Old Norse betr, Gothic batiza,  equivalent to bat-  (cognate with Old High German baz  (adv.) better; akin to boot2 ) + -iza  comparative suffix; suggested relation to Sanskrit bhadrá-  “fortunate” is doubtful. See best

Related forms
un·bet·tered, adjective

Synonyms
10.  amend; advance, promote; reform, correct, rectify. See improve.


All of that and we come down to “see improve”.  I like that, improve.  In order to show improvement you have to have two data points: the old and the new.  Without those data points, how do you measure improvement?

In the construction industry we deal with “better” all the time.  The building code, for those that don’t know or work in the industry, is the minimum, base standard.  Project drawings and specifications cannot go below that standard, but they may go beyond it and improve upon it.  How is that quantified?  It depends on what the part or assembly is, but there is always a way to quantify it.  Either it’s a window that will withstand greater pressure or impact, a material that will last longer in a fire of X-degrees, or a material that last longer to wear and abrasion (yes, they measure that) in high traffic areas... but “better” always has a number associated with it.

“Better” may actually be less.  A child that gets fewer disciplinary citations at school might be said to be “better behaved” than another child who is constantly in the principal’s office.  A gallon of gas that costs $3.85 is said to be a “better price” than a gallon of gas that costs $3.99.  A group of 10 rounds that measures 4” at the furthest point between two holes is considered a “better group” than one that measures 6”.  A time to take those same 10 shots of 6.78 seconds is considered a “better time” than the same ten shots in 8.54 seconds.

No matter what, better is measured. Better is not a personal preference.  Something may be better for your individually, for example a pickup truck is a better vehicle for me than a Corvette, but we can measure that too in terms of my requirements for the vehicle (carry shit) and quantify the amount of shit the Corvette can carry vs. the truck.  Very simple.  “I like blue and not red” is a personal preference.  “I like the Magpul MOE grip better than the A2 is a personal preference” (although I bet with a ruler and 20 minutes we could show why and quantify it).  “I like Coke and not Pepsi” is a personal preference (although, again, that likely is more of a psychological problem than it is an actual taste issue).

So why, in the shooting world, do we throw around terms like “better” when we cannot substantiate that claim?  Why would we suggest things to someone else under the guise of “better” when we can’t even prove to ourselves that it is, or is not, better?

Current research is showing that it is virtually impossible for people to handle facts that they do not want to hear.  It’s called Cognitive Dissonance.  The theory is that it is actually PAINFUL for most humans to remain objective and accept facts that are counter to their own preconceived notions.  Hence why Obama supporters claim to “know” that he was born in the US (how can they possibly “know” this?) and why Birthers will refuse to acknowledge any documentation Obama could produce.  If you put them in time machines and took them back the actual moment of birth, they still wouldn’t believe it.

So clear your mind, and your preconceived notions.

If you want to improve, or be better, at shooting first and foremost you have to be keeping records.  If you’re not then you’re never going to get anywhere.  Even if you only shoot matches, and don’t do anything more than look at the results, you’re still at least doing something.  Most likely you are noting your position relative to a rival, or to the field as a whole.  This month you note “I came in 6th” and 5 months from now you note “I came in 3rd.”   That kind of recordkeeping is pretty ineffective overall but at least it’s something.  What you should be doing, at a minimum and given the same shooting schedule, is keeping track of your points down and penalties as well as your time.  How many As?  How many Ds?  How many -0?  How many -3?

if you’re changing parts on your gun, you want to change them for a reason.  In some cases it may simply be a case of ergonomics such as grips, stocks, and handguards.  Those are personal preference items that relate to your comfort when holding the firearm.  In other cases it may be a weight reduction issue that relates to your long-term comfort when holding the firearm.  But if a part doesn’t make the gun lighter or more comfortable for you to hold or carry, it better improve your time or your accuracy.  And if you’re going to claim it improves your time and/or accuracy, you should be able to quantify that improvement or you shouldn’t make the claim.