[Classicmerp] GURPS Normal Distribution Curve vs Linear Approaches

[Lev Lafayette]

On Tue, December 24, 2013 11:27 am, Michael Cole wrote:
>
> But basically, no it is not the same effect.  The cause is the same, i.e,
> the range has increased, but the effect that that will have on an
> individual shooter will vary according to how good they are at coping with
> that increase in range.  Their level of accuracy will not drop off at the
> same rate.

How do you know it won't? I really don't see this through reading through
the markmanship and distinguished shooter awards of the US army, for
example.

> OK, simplistic example.  The salary of everyone at company X drops by
> 50%.  The effect that that will have on the lower paid work force compared
> to the CEO will be remakably different.  It will be even more pronounced
> if the salary drop is in dollar figures rather than a percentage.

That's cheating; that converting a percentage value into an absolute value.

> Another example - two people drag racing, one a professional driver, the
> other not.  Throw in a sharp curve.  The curve will have a far greater
> effect on the non-professional than the professional - the decrease in
> ability to keep the car moving sfaely at speed will not be linear.  The
> cause is the same, the effect is not.

The main difference is that the expert *knows* how much they need to slow
down, when to break, where the apex point is, etc. This knowledge is
reflecting in their skill rating. The effect of the corner can still be
same, and the effect on their base skill level will also be the same, but
because of their high general rating they're able to take these modifiers
and still succeed. That's what having a high skill level represents - the
ability to make contingencies under difficult circumstances.

And none of these examples resolves the fundamental problem with normal
distribution that negative modifiers punish people of average ability
dramatically more than people of high or low ability - which is just
silly.

-- 
Lev Lafayette, BA (Hons), GradCertTerAdEd (Murdoch), GradCertPM, MBA (Tech
Mngmnt) (Chifley)
mobile:  0432 255 208
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