Ranking: academic or physical?

[sanjuro_ronin]

Most here will agree that the "black belt" is but a starting point.
In my view it was a "high school diploma".
That got me to thinking about how we view/should view rankings.
IMO, they should be both physical ( ability to do) and academic ( ability to understand AND convey).
That said, we must also be aware of physical limitations and take those into accounts.
So, I have postulated thus:
4-5 years for a Black belt- "same time to get your high school diploma
4- years to get your "bachelors degree" - 2-3rd degree BB
4 years after Bach.Deg to get your masters.
2 years after that for your doctorate.
When are you a GM?
When those you have taught reach the degree of "Master".

So, for someone to be viewed as a "master" in a MA, they would have had to spend a minimum of 12 years doing that MA and be able to not only do it but also convey what it is as well as any other person that has a "master's degree" in any other subject.

Thoughts?

[Lucas]

what if your lineage doesnt use ranking?

[sanjuro_ronin]

what if your lineage doesnt use ranking?

Every lineage does, even if "informal".
The moment one is viewed as a "teacher" or as a "master". there is ranking.

[bawang]

Every lineage does, even if "informal".
The moment one is viewed as a "teacher" or as a "master". there is ranking.

chinese ranking is dynamic. you can be demoted.

[sanjuro_ronin]

chinese ranking is dynamic. you can be demoted.

Not a bad thing at all in my opinion.

[bawang]

Not a bad thing at all in my opinion.

i also think demotion is a great idea, but in modern times the customer buys the rank and belt. the customer gets the final say. if you like it you should introduce it into your personal style.

[PalmStriker]

what if your lineage doesnt use ranking?

Then you are in luck. No diversions.

[MasterKiller]

So, for someone to be viewed as a "master" in a MA, they would have had to spend a minimum of 12 years doing that MA

I don't think "Master" should have a time table. Some guy who trains 2 hours a week for 12 years shouldn't have the same claim to "mastery"as someone training 12 to 15 hours a week for 12 years.

Honestly, I don't care for the term "Master," anyway.

If your students want to call you that, it's fine as a show of respect. If a grown-@ss man calls himself Master, he should be punched in the taint.

[wenshu]

If a grown-@ss man calls himself Master, he should be punched in the taint.

I'd call me shifu.
I'd call me shifu so hard.

[sanjuro_ronin]

I don't think "Master" should have a time table. Some guy who trains 2 hours a week for 12 years shouldn't have the same claim to "mastery"as someone training 12 to 15 hours a week for 12 years.

Honestly, I don't care for the term "Master," anyway.

If your students want to call you that, it's fine as a show of respect. If a grown-@ss man calls himself Master, he should be punched in the taint.

Well put.
That is why many organizations of "hours of in class/instruction" as a guideline.
Which I agree with.

[Drake]

People develop and grow at different rates, and some styles take longer than others. A timeline is a terrible idea.

[Lucas]

a base 'timeline' as a general guide as to time put in, in combination with proof in the puttin' is the best imo. if u say ur a masta...proove it.

and on that note. Master of what? If we say martial anything, you better be able to fight. if it has the word martial in it and you cant fight, and fight well mind you, you are not a master of what you think you are a masta of

[YouKnowWho]

Honestly, I don't care for the term "Master," anyway.

If US constituation allows the US president to run more than 2 terms, all presidents will try to run for their 3rd term.

- The 1st time when someone calls you "master", you may tell him don't do that.
- The 100th time when someone calls you "master", you may think it's not that bad.
- The 1000th time when someone "doesn't call" you "master", you will feel it's an insult.

This is the bad part of the human nature.

[omarthefish]

I don't think "Master" should have a time table. Some guy who trains 2 hours a week for 12 years shouldn't have the same claim to "mastery"as someone training 12 to 15 hours a week for 12 years.
.

Well put.
That is why many organizations of "hours of in class/instruction" as a guideline.
Which I agree with.

In keeping with the academic metaphor, I dunno about advanced degrees but for a BA that "4 years" assumes roughly 12-15 hours of in class time per week with about the same amount of at home study. So it's roughly 30 hours/week just for a BA.

[Brule]

So, when are we going to get into the whole 'Grand Master' discussion?