Pettyness, Immaturity.. And MA.

[Shaolin-Do]

Hmm...
Hate to play the "stinky hippie" card (cant we all just get along?)
But seriously folks... its gotten kinda out of hand. What could be constructive criticism has turned into personal attacks and name calling. I feel that the petty squabbles have and are hampering our ability to function as a martial community. Name calling, style bashing.. ect... Isnt it time to grow up and look past the BS? Your style isnt perfect. Neither is mine. Might as well learn what we can from one another.
If *we* lack the maturity to make coherent statements to those we dont particularly agree with, can *we* at least not resort to name calling, verbal assaults? Can *we* not at least resort to "indifference"? It appears that some lack the ability to argue their point, and voice their opinion, without making vocal attacks in the process. Some of the sh!t that has been said on here is absolutely uncalled for. Im not saying that people have to change who they are... Just grow up a little bit, make a concious effort to "argue" instead of making hateful and thoughtless comments.
If we want to promote martial arts, if we want to change the way things are done and the overall perception of the arts, how are we going to do so squabbling over nothingness? "United we stand, divided we fall".. A bit cliche yes, but the truth none the less. If we want to change the way everyone else thinks about us, we have to change the way we think about each other first.

[Judge Pen]

I couldn't agree with you more. It seems that things calmed down here for a while and then we have some apparently very talented martial artists come here and post, but they can't debate a point without asserting how stupid everyone else is and how superior they (and their style) is to all others.

The thing is that I could actually agree with much of what they are saying but for their manner of speech. Resorting to personal attacks and childish behavior does not underscore an opinion; it detracts from their opinion.

And I'm not a hippie!

[dwid]

I hate to say this, and I don't mean to be an a$$hole, but I think that it's a perception problem. Some people feel bad when they see "we martial artists" aren't getting along. The problem lies in perceiving "we martial artists" as some kind of a community. We are no more a community than any other group of people who vaguely share a somewhat common interest.

For example, people who collect baseball cards. They go to conventions and they can talk baseball cards with one another. They spend at least part of their time thinking about and engaging in activities that are related to that interest.

Arguably, some of these people consider themselves a part of a community of collectors. However, those that do are in the minority, I would wager. They are the ones who are really really into it.

Now, consider martial artists. We participate in a wide variety of activities that all sort of fall under the umbrella "martial arts." We likely all spend anywhere from an hour or two to up to 20 or more hours per week thinking about and engaging in some variation on this activity. Some go to conventions or participate in online discussions. Most do not.

Anyway, the point is, there is a lot more that is different than is even remotely similar, so why is it even reasonable to expect that "we all just get along?"

[shaolin kungfu]

Stop smokin you dirty hippy!

[Shaolin-Do]

Not necessarily saying we should get along dude... Im just asking for some sort of cease in the needless namecalling and personal verbal attacks. Theres no need, it makes you look less intelligent if anything.
Any if anything itd be more or less compared to baseball... Not card collectors. They never could have went on strike if they were busy acting like 6th graders calling each other names. Regardles of wheather or not it accomplished anything, it took the effort of the whole.
"Some people feel bad when they see "we martial artists" aren't getting along. The problem lies in perceiving "we martial artists" as some kind of a community. We are no more a community than any other group of people who vaguely share a somewhat common interest."

I dont feel bad, I feel that it makes the rest of the world look on at us like ignorant children, drabbling at the tounge with diarreah (sp?) of the mouth.
Comparing me to you is comparing an Eagle to a lion... (football)

[red5angel]

screw you shaolin - dodo, you don't even practice a real martial art, as a matter of fact I bet you don't practice anything resembling martial arts, just "man to gland" combat.
Your opinions suck, your style sucks, it doesn't even have a real lineage, and let's not get started with the shaolin thing, I mean please, I odn't believe in unicorns or dragons, why would I believe in "shaolin monks"?

[dwid]

So you're saying we should go on strike...

j/k

I understand what you're getting at. The forum in particular does see a lot of arguments and just a little maturity.

I'd like to thank red5 for his timely illustration of my point.

[Shaolin-Do]

r5 once again attempts... and fails the troll!

[red5angel]

hehe, your on my like white on rice today SD!

[shaolinboxer]

Don't you realize that's it's tradition to talk trash and attack other martial artists personally? After all, the martial arts were created by a bunch of seedy gang banging alchoholics .

[red5angel]

actually I think all the violence comes from teh fact that martial arts were created by seedy gangs and warrior monks looking to prove their style was the best.

[shaolin kungfu]

After all, the martial arts were created by a bunch of seedy gang banging alchoholics

Pornstars created martial arts?

[lkfmdc]

too bad you don't realize how true the above statement is

[dwid]

actually I think all the violence comes from teh fact that martial arts were created by seedy gangs and warrior monks looking to prove their style was the best.

Well, sure, I'd like to believe that. It's more likely that most of our arts were invented by guys at the end of a 96-hour D&D jag, fueled only by Mr. Pibb, Hot Pockets, and Twinkies.

[Shaolin-Do]

"Pornstars created martial arts?"

"After all, the martial arts were created by a bunch of seedy gang banging alchoholics"

" It's more likely that most of our arts were invented by guys at the end of a 96-hour D&D jag, fueled only by Mr. Pibb, Hot Pockets, and Twinkies."


You people make me sick. How could you forget the oh so prestigious and honorable opium traders?!?!