This and its corresponding pages might help understand why kata may or may not work for some people.
http://library.thinkquest.org/C005704/content_hwl_conditioning.php3Brian, I didnt answer because I am lazy

some of what I want to say would be like writing a book. I felt like your comment was more frustration and not really your exact truth on kata, more to get your point across. Of course im most likely wrong lol..
I understand where your coming from, kata is ultimately useless without other factors weighing in on its overall development. But, IMO some of which can still be trained if brought to the persons attention through solo kata training. Mainly visualization, intent, balance, posture, control, memory, breathing, strength etc.. very basic things. Can be learned & improved through kata.
I was also looking for a better way to explain myself. Which is what the link above is for, interesting read none the less.
BTW, Not that it was directed at me or anything, but just to clarify. I didnt know you did American Goju, personally makes no difference to me.. like you said any karate can be strong. (even ATA

) and I dont consider Shotokan watered down at all. I never bought into the myth of uber deadly techniques being changed or left out.
Just like to point out something. Machida is not an average person. For one, consider hes still a relatively large & strong young person with no skills... would you still want to fight him? Add in his natural attributes which aid anything he may know.
He excelled in karate tournaments, and he excelled in MMA. Which leads me to believe he would of excelled at Football or Chess if thats what he chose. Most fighters and world class athletes train above and beyond what average fighters and athletes do. They attain skills and skill sets which are related to their own skills. And they attain & maintain them quicker and longer, probably for many reasons out of their control. An average 6-8 hour MMA day covers about two weeks in your average 3x a week 1hour martial artist regiment. HS Wrestlers remember two a days? If corner store Karate was like that we probably would not be having this discussion.