"The Superior Man turns his attention to himself and molds his character."

Folks -

Let's refocus the argument here. I think that Prof. Cates was really talking about internet blowhards that lack any real-world skill. He is probably refering to folks that claim things like, say.....punching trees, defeating other masters, jumping off second-story buildings, etc (when they actually can't).

I know that I can generally get a pretty good sense of when someone knows what they are talking about here or not. Ego and knowledge are not always proportionate - you can have lots of one and not the other, or lots of both. Time will usually tell which.

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Hold on here…are you actually saying that if you can beat me up, that makes you right?

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Talk about a leap of logic... The point was that you can say anything on an internet board, but if you say that same thing on the mat training with someone, you may carry your teeth home in a bag. It has nothing to do with "being right" in any way, shape, or form.

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The fact that you expect a certain amount of respect based on your experience shows that you completely miss my point.

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No, you seem to discount anything learned from experience and replace it with your beliefs. You can't have it both ways, however. You say you have respect for experience, and then discount the information, and call it name dropping if I name the source. Would you feel better if I just quoted something they might have written in one of their books? You apparently have a problem with my acquaintences, and I wouldn't trade 10 minutes of the time I've spent training with them for any accolades from you or the people on this board. Sorry, you come in 2nd every time on that.

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You realize that the venom you are spitting at me is as easily applied to you, right? Just so ya know…

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The point of this thread was to show that the internet boards are nothing but venom pools. Professor Cates recognized that a level of disrespect for pioneers in American martial arts exists with anonymous snipers, and with little if any of the discipline, knowledge, or conduct that is imbedded in martial arts training.

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Both are forums for demonstrating skill; one physical, one intellectual.

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Oh, so "internet board posters" are now "intellectuals"? Give me a break... or better yet, learn to use a spell checker...

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I haven’t seen much from you here in the way of logical, well thought-out argument, but at the end of day, I am glad we had this exchange. If nothing else, it reinforced my original opinion of you.

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The more you say, the more you prove Professor Cate's point.

Low punch, Ed... but effective...

You have to remember I'm under stress...

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The point of this thread was to show that the internet boards are nothing but venom pools.

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I can see where people get that impression. I see sites like this more as schools (elementary schools, LOL ). Learning can go on, but with all the screaming, gum chewing, spitballs and rude noises that happen when beginners and experts of different ages get together.

Joss made a really good point in that words will only hurt you if you let them. I have had my art(s) and myself personally slagged here several times. But always by folks I could care less about. So, in the end......meh.

I do wonder if many high ranking people share the "venom pool" view because we (lower ranks) have little to offer you besides questions.

I was hoping you saw the hint of humor. I got my 'intellectual' wise-ass kicked when I first came on here...some of the insults really hit dangerously close to home and got me thinking. What I found is, we can never go wrong posting truthfully and without agenda....without ego is even harder to do. If others don't even try to post with any of those virtues, then they deserve anywhere between being ignored to a severe roasting....depending on what one is in the mood for that day.

That aside, I know you must be going thru a rough time, I hope your family is doing as well as possible.

Hi folks,

I agree with the professor that these things do indeed occur. However I don't see why he would let himself be so upset by it. What good is someones opinion of you going to do if you ever need to use your training? You'll live or die depending on weather or not someone in Kookamonga thinks you're good? I hope not. The internet is everyones watering hole, and the tigers have to share it with an occasional baboon. That's just the way it is I guess. Someone says you suck, traditional martial arts suck, The trainings outdated, Kata is worthless so they're not going to waste they're time doing it. Their training is effected, Not yours. What's the difference if they are in fact, knowledgable, experienced people or Google intoxicated info freaks? If what they post is useful, use it. Some troublemakers hide behind annonymous names or codes on the internet,and in real life hide behind the law. They're cowards and I suppose they can't rest till the whole world knows it. So be it.

Good Luck!
Mike

Good perspective Mike...

Let's lighten up a little.
Firstly, I avoid any person or institution that can't laugh at themselves.

Secondly, in any endeavor there are a few who are very good, more that are pretty good, many more who haven't got it. Then there are the morons (and the internet is a great place to see them) who look ridiculous if they even try.

I'm just hoping the bald man with the red beard has NO training, and put the video together as a joke.