So I actually had another thread going in a different section that is not so much focused on the acts of martial arts itself but the social effects that are in play with them, specifically the TMA's. Now, I'm involved in health care, did my undergrad in Biology. I see evolution as the most logical explanation of development due to current data analysis. Similarly, I feel that the modern incarnations of martial arts utilize superior training methods and thus produce in most cases a better fighter than the "Traditional" martial arts.
In this martial arts forum, anyone questioning the "traditional" methods is often greeted with the same type of response as an atheist or an evolutionist (because they aren't the same) gets in the religious forums.
Now why is it that these two groups, "traditional" martial artists and the religious, have so much in common?
A link to an audio clip was provided in one of the answers there. Its quite long but its actually by a Taichi practitioner. One thing that was of particular interest was how he equated guys who demonstrate tricks like the no touch KO and dim mak, to a hypnotist. He talked about how he was on stage, the hypnotist had everyone clapping. When he suddenly realized he wasn't actually hypnotized and simply stopped clapping. THEN, he realized he was now the odd man out. That was uncomfortable and so to stay in line he resumed clapping. This is interesting in that it shows the kind of social effects that can come to play in group dynamics. This is also found in martial arts.
http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-49897/TS-332506.mp3
TMA's share distinct similarities with cults. This video clip actually lays it out fairly well:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5hYsMcJM68
I think its interesting how such group dynamics and suggestion comes into play in martial arts. Especially when you start to get into such things like:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zs9dmw-i4M4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdrzBL2dHMI
The most telling part is when they get to explaining why it didn't work. If you don't BELIEVE it will work on you, then it doesn't. Just like hypnotism.
Now a lot of people here will come in and say a number of things how I don't know what I'm talking about or I should waste my money and take off work to fly to their gym so they can prove it to me. Well see, that's not necessary. I've said numerous times here that I started in TMA. My first art was kung fu, but it was a multi art school. The owner of the gym practiced, you guessed it, Ryu-te. I took part in a number of their classes over those years and you know what, I was not once knocked out. Everyone tried. I heard explanations of my bones structure was protecting me. My muscles were too developed. But the real reason, unlike the Ryu-te students, I DON'T BELIEVE.
So, what are your thoughts? Power of suggestion....I'm sure there will be tons of nice stuff to come out.
For those of you who feel the need to prove your validity. No I'm not wasting my money to come stand still while you try to hit me through a pad or whatever other parlor trick you wish to do. However, there is this here. And should you be valid, you stand to make a cool mill. That's motivation enough right?
http://www.randi.org/site/index.php/1m-challenge.html
In this martial arts forum, anyone questioning the "traditional" methods is often greeted with the same type of response as an atheist or an evolutionist (because they aren't the same) gets in the religious forums.
Now why is it that these two groups, "traditional" martial artists and the religious, have so much in common?
A link to an audio clip was provided in one of the answers there. Its quite long but its actually by a Taichi practitioner. One thing that was of particular interest was how he equated guys who demonstrate tricks like the no touch KO and dim mak, to a hypnotist. He talked about how he was on stage, the hypnotist had everyone clapping. When he suddenly realized he wasn't actually hypnotized and simply stopped clapping. THEN, he realized he was now the odd man out. That was uncomfortable and so to stay in line he resumed clapping. This is interesting in that it shows the kind of social effects that can come to play in group dynamics. This is also found in martial arts.
http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-49897/TS-332506.mp3
TMA's share distinct similarities with cults. This video clip actually lays it out fairly well:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5hYsMcJM68
I think its interesting how such group dynamics and suggestion comes into play in martial arts. Especially when you start to get into such things like:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zs9dmw-i4M4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdrzBL2dHMI
The most telling part is when they get to explaining why it didn't work. If you don't BELIEVE it will work on you, then it doesn't. Just like hypnotism.
Now a lot of people here will come in and say a number of things how I don't know what I'm talking about or I should waste my money and take off work to fly to their gym so they can prove it to me. Well see, that's not necessary. I've said numerous times here that I started in TMA. My first art was kung fu, but it was a multi art school. The owner of the gym practiced, you guessed it, Ryu-te. I took part in a number of their classes over those years and you know what, I was not once knocked out. Everyone tried. I heard explanations of my bones structure was protecting me. My muscles were too developed. But the real reason, unlike the Ryu-te students, I DON'T BELIEVE.
So, what are your thoughts? Power of suggestion....I'm sure there will be tons of nice stuff to come out.
For those of you who feel the need to prove your validity. No I'm not wasting my money to come stand still while you try to hit me through a pad or whatever other parlor trick you wish to do. However, there is this here. And should you be valid, you stand to make a cool mill. That's motivation enough right?
http://www.randi.org/site/index.php/1m-challenge.html