I feel my feet fly out from under me when I try to answer this. I think that you, Kung Lek, are an idealist, and I think you mean well. I don’t like art bashing either, but see it as symptomatic of other issues which aren’t likely to go away any time soon.
Imo, a true martial artist is a Fighter. From the vantage point we are selecting here, he/she is a fighter within a specific training system(s). The person may or may not spar, or compete, but the presence of a fighting spirit and a practical degree of training is there, and able and willing to be used. no further value judgments at this point.
Other expressed qualities might be genuine, or used as a screen for appearances. You mean there’s no backbiting among high level martial artists? I’ve heard it myself. You expect the students to behave better than that? Some do, to be sure. Yet, the template remains and it has its purposes, somewhat akin to stirring the stuff at sea’s bottom to provide a feeding (fighting) fest. a miniature gladiatorial contest, if you will. You are making the assumption that the true martial artist is an evolved human being. I’m saying that is not necessarily the case (even though I would wish it to be, to the point that the person would be capable of determining his own behavior in a responsible fashion, beyond the customary). Even in instances where that might be so, I wouldn’t trust it particularly – not anymore. Too much power. In my view, the Emperor is generally not wearing as much as he would have us believe, and he knows it, sometimes. Fear, weakness, jealousy can thrive within a genuine martial artist. We can only hope that some negatives are eradicated, and others are not so strong. Everyone, not just ma’s is responsible for deed, thought and heart to the degree that there is awareness and beyond that. I think I am more of an individualist who values teamwork.
I understand your point of view, and I respect it, but I don’t share it entirely.
The competition between arts is there, and I’ve seen it encouraged by professional martial artist/teachers. This is okay when presented objectively. But comparative instruction can also begin with what I feel is simple deception. For example: We have this move, but the other(s) don’t have Anything like it; or, Others can’t block… . Take your pick. It’s not only what is said, it can be the manner too. The example of the other art might be shown improperly. Who’s to know, unless you go out and look? The foundation for such bashing can begin and end in bull****. subtle as well. Ignorance and misunderstanding of what they are capable of in the eyes of others inflates some teachers who might encourage students to feel likewise, by reason of association. You wrap all of this together, and you have a bunch of cats fighing in a bag when they should be co-existing and freeing the world of fur balls.
Sometimes it comes down to a matter of presentation, very well illustrated by GunnedDownAtrocity. He feels something is worthless. Why should he voice respect for something he has no respect for. Ah, but what he is Also doing is showing that there is no division made between the art and the people studying it. Hence, simple statements become personal insults, answers to insults, and so on. He has a visceral way of expressing himself, but it is to the point. It’s not my way, but it is his. I’m sure he could sit down and absolutely floor you with the most polite way of saying the same thing, or saying it without saying it (but that might need a face-to-face to have its full effect). I feel that he has that in him. Would that be better? I would wish that no one be made to feel stupid. I would also like to hear reasons given, if they can be, for strong opinions. I am not necessarily agreeing with the example here, but I can see how it comes about, and is expressed.
My feeling is that if it is possible at the time, some sort of distancing of self from what is being discussed might be a good idea. Then, it is not just a matter of manners. I don’t know that I spoke on this all that well, but I think it is important.
On a tangent, I think that the line between defense and Domination is very thin, as is that between self-defense and Vengeance. Without these capitalized aspects of human nature, much strife and argument would decline from lack of motivation to pursue. and fewer toes down the line would be stepped on, insulted. In my view, the problem commences at the top layers.
Cody
P.S. GDA, how are you doing?
