Sharp Phil
05-13-2002, 07:05 AM
Since I wrote the articles How To Spot a Virtual Tough Guy (http://home.att.net/~philelmore/mafraud.html) and How To Spot a Virtual Sensei (http://home.att.net/~philelmore/virtualsensei.html), I've been fascinated by some of the feedback posted in public discussion forums or sent to me privately. I've also received mail in response to the list of questionable schools, arts, systems, and individuals appended to the article Endless Rivalry (http://home.att.net/~philelmore/mapolitics.html). While most of the feedback has been very positive, the negative responses have all shared certain elements. These elements are characteristic of martial arts defense mechanisms, which are the psychological ploys and logical fallacies used by Virtual Tough Guys (VTGs) and Virtual Senseis (VSs) to shield them from the unease generated by contact with reality.
When criticized or questioned, martial arts frauds will resort to a variety of argumentative tactics that comprise the defense mechanisms. These tactics are easily identifiable, and the following list is by no means inclusive. When you learn to spot a few of these defense mechanisms, however, you will quickly be able to spot others not listed.
BAA, BAA, BAD SHEEP
A VS or VTG often will accuse his or her detractors of being "sheep." Faced with overwhelmingly negative feedback, the fraud in question often feels persecuted and misunderstood. As a result, it is everyone else who is wrong -- and since they comprise such a large group, the critics simply must possess a herd mentality from which they cannot escape. The ridicule the VS or VTG then faces is a result of this groupthink, and he or she may feel smugly insulated from derision. This defense mechanism is normally closely associated with feelings of great superiority. The VS or VTG believes he or she is the subject of scorn for the mere fact of being superior. His or her detractors are thus motivated by jealousy and fear (or by personal discomfort caused by the piercing insights and overwhelming greatness of the Virtual Sensei/Tough Guy).
FREE YOUR MIND
Closely related to the "Baa, Baa, Bad Sheep" defense mechanism, this defense consists of accusing one's detractors of lacking "open minds." To the VS or VTG, it is inconceivable that rational, reasonable people would fail to agree or to defer to his or her superior wisdom and skill. Therefore, any criticism must be the result of closed minds -- minds unwilling or unprepared or unworthy of the great insights offered. (One great response to this defense mechanism is the fact that one really ought not keep an "open mind." Rather, as Rand (http://home.att.net/~philelmore/objectivism.html) said, one should keep an active mind. Not all opinions are equally valid.)
WHO ARE YOU TO CHALLENGE ME?
As I wrote in How To Spot a Virtual Sensei (http://home.att.net/~philelmore/virtualsensei.html), VTGs and VSs are bullies who believe force is the appropriate solution to every disagreement. Part of the psychology behind this attitude is the logically flawed notion that no criticism is valid unless voiced by someone of higher rank or longer experience. When called on their claims or questioned on their opinions, VTGs and VSs often will demand to know the rank, style, and years of experience possessed by the critic. If this information is provided, the VS or VTG will then dismiss the criticism as coming from someone who is his or her "junior" in the arts. This does not invalidate the criticism, of course -- you need not be able to beat someone up, nor need you possess a belt one shade darker, for your opinion to be logically and factually valid -- but in the minds of the VS and VTG it is all the rebuttal necessary. Anyone who has ever attended a commercial McDojo has seen this attitude displayed, too, by the small percentage of students strutting about condescending to those whose belts are at least one shade lighter.
MEET ME
Closely related to the "Who are you to challenge me?" mechanism is the demand for a face-to-face meeting. The VS or VTG is forever demanding that his or her critics either put up or shut up. No one who cannot beat him in the ring may question his wisdom, the VS thinks. No one incapable of kicking her behind on the street may dare inquire regarding the veracity of her claims, the VTG believes. Ultimately, however, this is simply a defense mechanism like any other -- for since most rational people do not go out of their way to get into physical fights with obnoxious online personalities, the VTG or VS can rest assured that he or she will not be taken up on the offer.
I'M VERY SORRY FOR YOU
Some VSs and VTGs will affect an attitude of sorrow on hearing criticism of their claims. "I'm sorry you don't believe me," they will say -- and they will express their heartfelt pity that you will miss out on the chance to associate with greatness if you question the claims of the self-proclaimed grandmasters. Alternatively, many VTGs will tell you that they are glad you've had the good fortune not to grow up on the Mean Streets, fighting off ninja and street gangs and Mafia hordes. They did not have such advantages, however. Thus their tales of their street fighting days may seem fanciful to you, but that's only because you have neither been there, nor done that, nor bought the t-shirt.
POT AND KETTLE
Perhaps the first rule of verbal self-defense, in the absence of legitimate and logically grounded opinion, is to accuse the accuser. Cornered, the VS or VTG will be quick to point out that it is the critic(s) who display(s) the warning signs of martial arts fraudulence.
YOU'RE JUST IMMATURE
While the VS and VTG usually display monumental childishness, they often resort to this tactic in attempting to deflect criticism. Anyone who does not believe them or agree with them must be "immature." Any attempt to expose absurd assertions for what they are is similarly puerile -- for what mature adult would dare question such superior skill and knowledge? Blanket labeling of deserved scorn as "immature" has a preemptive benefit, too, in that any future criticism may be presumed by the VTG or VS to be equally childish in nature.
THAT'S NOT WHAT SO-AND-SO SAYS
Closely linked to the name-dropping warning sign exhibited by Virtual Senseis, this defense mechanism relies heavily on the reputations of acknowledged greats within the martial arts and self-defense industry. When criticized, the VS or VTG loves to mention respected and accomplished personalities with whom he or she has worked (however briefly), particularly if some claim to training lineage can be established. If those big names ever had anything positive to say about the suspected fraud you are now questioning, you can bet you'll hear about it in great detail (and repeatedly). Thus, criticism of the VS/VTG can be (falsely) shunted to criticism of the respected personality -- something the critic never intended and something easily dismissed on the basis of reputation alone.
...continued below...
When criticized or questioned, martial arts frauds will resort to a variety of argumentative tactics that comprise the defense mechanisms. These tactics are easily identifiable, and the following list is by no means inclusive. When you learn to spot a few of these defense mechanisms, however, you will quickly be able to spot others not listed.
BAA, BAA, BAD SHEEP
A VS or VTG often will accuse his or her detractors of being "sheep." Faced with overwhelmingly negative feedback, the fraud in question often feels persecuted and misunderstood. As a result, it is everyone else who is wrong -- and since they comprise such a large group, the critics simply must possess a herd mentality from which they cannot escape. The ridicule the VS or VTG then faces is a result of this groupthink, and he or she may feel smugly insulated from derision. This defense mechanism is normally closely associated with feelings of great superiority. The VS or VTG believes he or she is the subject of scorn for the mere fact of being superior. His or her detractors are thus motivated by jealousy and fear (or by personal discomfort caused by the piercing insights and overwhelming greatness of the Virtual Sensei/Tough Guy).
FREE YOUR MIND
Closely related to the "Baa, Baa, Bad Sheep" defense mechanism, this defense consists of accusing one's detractors of lacking "open minds." To the VS or VTG, it is inconceivable that rational, reasonable people would fail to agree or to defer to his or her superior wisdom and skill. Therefore, any criticism must be the result of closed minds -- minds unwilling or unprepared or unworthy of the great insights offered. (One great response to this defense mechanism is the fact that one really ought not keep an "open mind." Rather, as Rand (http://home.att.net/~philelmore/objectivism.html) said, one should keep an active mind. Not all opinions are equally valid.)
WHO ARE YOU TO CHALLENGE ME?
As I wrote in How To Spot a Virtual Sensei (http://home.att.net/~philelmore/virtualsensei.html), VTGs and VSs are bullies who believe force is the appropriate solution to every disagreement. Part of the psychology behind this attitude is the logically flawed notion that no criticism is valid unless voiced by someone of higher rank or longer experience. When called on their claims or questioned on their opinions, VTGs and VSs often will demand to know the rank, style, and years of experience possessed by the critic. If this information is provided, the VS or VTG will then dismiss the criticism as coming from someone who is his or her "junior" in the arts. This does not invalidate the criticism, of course -- you need not be able to beat someone up, nor need you possess a belt one shade darker, for your opinion to be logically and factually valid -- but in the minds of the VS and VTG it is all the rebuttal necessary. Anyone who has ever attended a commercial McDojo has seen this attitude displayed, too, by the small percentage of students strutting about condescending to those whose belts are at least one shade lighter.
MEET ME
Closely related to the "Who are you to challenge me?" mechanism is the demand for a face-to-face meeting. The VS or VTG is forever demanding that his or her critics either put up or shut up. No one who cannot beat him in the ring may question his wisdom, the VS thinks. No one incapable of kicking her behind on the street may dare inquire regarding the veracity of her claims, the VTG believes. Ultimately, however, this is simply a defense mechanism like any other -- for since most rational people do not go out of their way to get into physical fights with obnoxious online personalities, the VTG or VS can rest assured that he or she will not be taken up on the offer.
I'M VERY SORRY FOR YOU
Some VSs and VTGs will affect an attitude of sorrow on hearing criticism of their claims. "I'm sorry you don't believe me," they will say -- and they will express their heartfelt pity that you will miss out on the chance to associate with greatness if you question the claims of the self-proclaimed grandmasters. Alternatively, many VTGs will tell you that they are glad you've had the good fortune not to grow up on the Mean Streets, fighting off ninja and street gangs and Mafia hordes. They did not have such advantages, however. Thus their tales of their street fighting days may seem fanciful to you, but that's only because you have neither been there, nor done that, nor bought the t-shirt.
POT AND KETTLE
Perhaps the first rule of verbal self-defense, in the absence of legitimate and logically grounded opinion, is to accuse the accuser. Cornered, the VS or VTG will be quick to point out that it is the critic(s) who display(s) the warning signs of martial arts fraudulence.
YOU'RE JUST IMMATURE
While the VS and VTG usually display monumental childishness, they often resort to this tactic in attempting to deflect criticism. Anyone who does not believe them or agree with them must be "immature." Any attempt to expose absurd assertions for what they are is similarly puerile -- for what mature adult would dare question such superior skill and knowledge? Blanket labeling of deserved scorn as "immature" has a preemptive benefit, too, in that any future criticism may be presumed by the VTG or VS to be equally childish in nature.
THAT'S NOT WHAT SO-AND-SO SAYS
Closely linked to the name-dropping warning sign exhibited by Virtual Senseis, this defense mechanism relies heavily on the reputations of acknowledged greats within the martial arts and self-defense industry. When criticized, the VS or VTG loves to mention respected and accomplished personalities with whom he or she has worked (however briefly), particularly if some claim to training lineage can be established. If those big names ever had anything positive to say about the suspected fraud you are now questioning, you can bet you'll hear about it in great detail (and repeatedly). Thus, criticism of the VS/VTG can be (falsely) shunted to criticism of the respected personality -- something the critic never intended and something easily dismissed on the basis of reputation alone.
...continued below...