I was watching Walker Texas Ranger a few minutes ago and was overcome by teh sudden realization of what an absolute void martial arts is as a life-long dicipline. Time, money and energy goes in, JACK SHIT comes out.
If you're in it because you're "lost" and need the "organisation", the "philosophy" aspect of the various forms can easily be covered by much newer, better organisational philosophies like Scientology (
), not to mention various self-help books/programs.
And the fighting skills? Please. In the modern age usch skills simply have no practical application. If you're wealthy enouch to take the lessons and buy the gear, then you can afford to not be living in a dangerous situation. There is no Jeff Speakman "life path" for civilized people in the Western World. Most of the time it's just some jerk-off applying Jeff Speakman-style hurt to people who don't deserve it.
If you're in it for the sport, fine -- in that capacity, I'll allow that it's as good as anything else. But anyone who's come within 10 feet of any adult "dojo" (
) knows that 90% of the "students" are Jeff Speakman wannabes.
Besides, any fighting skills you might learn are negated in real world situations, where the element of surprise rules all. When the fight isn't pre-meditated and "refereed" according to certain rules, even Speakman is a loser. (in a real street fight, he'd be knifed in the liver by a 15 year-old cholo gangbanger who won't wait for the "kata" moves to come around)
Let's go back to Walker for an example.
Enter Chuck Norris = spoiled and governed entirely by "dojo" rules. Probably never been in a street fight in his life.
If Chuck Norris stepped to me, I would make sure he didn't have the luxury of fighting an opponent who played by "dojo" rules. I'm not incredibly strong but I guarantee you the old man would not see it coming. Inside of 2 minutes and Norris would be caught in a very embarassing LMD -- I walk away unharmed.
Martial Artists = OWNED
Jeff Speakman = confirmed homosexual.
Chuck Norris = old ass, failed action star with questionable ethnic heritage.
LMD = Little Man Down situaton (he's like 5'8").