Is the forum for martial arts really two different forums that interract strangely?

Question

Just as their very conceptions of what the martials art interract strangley.

Allow me to explain.
We frenquently get those little scuffles between those interested in the teachings of the dojo and those who claim the ring (or cage, or even sidewalk) is the proper measure of the martial arts.
May I suggest that the missunderstanding comes from the fact we actually live in very different universes. The student of the martial arts (in a dojo) is not necessarily encouraged to question the validity of techinque. He is asked to accept the technique in a wider context. The dojo martial artists is not constantly concerned about the finality of everything. But he is also the one whose curiosity leads him to discoveries.
The ring-oriented martial artist, on the other hand, is much more interested in the mechanical aspect, and the effectiveness of technique. He relies on the tradition of the masters who studied his art with patience, however. The ring artist is usually younger,

More physically capable, through youth and physicial exercise. His technique may not be elegant or perfect, but they must work, because he knows he must use them to avoid injury.
The traditional martial artist, meanwhile, can not afford to take such a cavalier approach to the arts. His goal is to explore , to further the art.

And, of course, there are the rest of us, who fall in between.

Answer 1

You must discover the answer for yourself. For only then, will you have taken the first step on your journey towards enlightenment Grasshopper.

Answer 2

That's a pretty cool idea, and I am interested in that idea. I am a part of a few forums, one being a paid for group. The wealth of information is just amazing, but it is not always an active place. One of the things I enjoy most about this site, given it's nature as a Q&A place, is the amount of activity. Granted, we have to sift through countless asinine question posts, or those that are consistently repeated, but there are more questions posted that are of a genuine quest for knowledge than I've seen elsewhere. I definitely agree with having a question posting section, a frequently asked questions (which takes up the majority of the page as one is typing the question like the new google search feature, just something that forces people to take a look at the thousands of similar questions asked as opposed to the minuscule box that shows up here...) I know that some of the other regulars here are members of other sites as well, and would wait for their answers before continuing. It's a great idea if we can have a lot of the same community members participate there too, but if it's worth it?... how will the traffic get there?

Answer 3

i dont totally disagree with what you say but i dont agree either.to the true martial artist its a life style choice,to the fighter its just a sport or a way of potentially making money.some fighters grow up and get over the i want to prove im the best attitude and become very good martial artists,but unfortunately the majority dont.and there normally the ones that get beat up by old drunks and give the rest of us a bad name.getting in a ring and fighting and then running around telling ppl and making out your a martial artist doesn't make it so. the true martial artist is after the pursuit of perfection,a fighter only wants to win the next fight.i dont know where you get the idea that a fighter is after the effectivness of technique as that couldn't be further from the truth.through perfection comes effectivness.as to the little scuffles you talk about i wouldnt take much notice of them as most ppl on here are full of **** and dont have a clue what there talking about.whether it be fighting in a ring or fighting in a dojo that in no way has any impact on whether you are a martial artist or not,theres a much bigger picture and unfortuanately most ppl dont see that because there to busy big noting themselves and trying to make out they know something they dont.some of the questions and the answers i see on here make me ashamed to admit im a martial artist at times.fortuanately i know im a martial artist and there are very few on this site and realise that most ppl on here just havn't got a clue what the words martial arts or martial artist means.most ppl on here dont even know there a difference between self defence and fighting.you only have to look at a recent question that asked how many ppl have used there ma in a real situation,most answered no or had very little experience but in the same breathe pertain to be experts and deride ppl with experienced opinions?how can you be an expert with no experience?but this and many other sites are full of keyboard warriors that think they know but in reality the first time they get in a real situation they get beaten up or start crying before it even gets to that stage.you learn more by listening to someone with experience than talking just to hear the sound of your own voice,especially when you dont know what your talking about? i suggest you dont really understand either,but if your a martial artist you will keep learning until you do.

Answer 4

The proper measure of martial arts is the mindset of the practitioner. Both dojo and street techniques should be mixed into a practical combination - that gives the student a well balanced mix. The discipline comes from practicing those 'traditional' techniques - while boring and sometimes impractical for the street - they do serve some good. Body conditioning, etc. Hope this wasnt too boring.

Answer 5

Hi there

Yes this question has been brought up before. I personally think it should be split between martial sports and martial arts. But i don't think you will ever stop the TV martial artists from asking silly questions such as which is the best art or who would win between Micky Mouse and Donald Duck.

There's always been a split between the real and the artistic martial artist. Personally i don't see how the two can ever be separated as the true combat techniques and principles come from the forms.

There's no quick fix to this one and its all down to ones preference and personal choice.

Personally i think Donald Duck would win hands down!

See they even got me at it now! lol ;)

Regards

idai

Answer 6

YES!

"Practitioners" and "Spectators"

We have posters who practice martial arts and ask questions about practicing martial arts.

We have posters who are fans whose only involvement in martial arts is the fact that they watch UFC or Pride on TV.

In my opinion the second group should either be in a different category or post on the Wrestling forum.

Maybe even a THIRD category...
"Machos" who like to pretend / fantasize!

EDIT:
re: idai's post -- There will always be people who have opposing opinions as to whether the martial arts are about fighting or self/internal-development -- that is to be expected. We just need to "agree to disagree" on that one.
.

Answer 7

I think that it isn't so much a disparity between factions in the genuine martial arts - it's more a problem with people who believe that they are martial artists when they are no more than people who have learned the other commoner wrestling kinds of combat.
martial artists are exactly that, artists.
Not wrestlers, not fighters.

Answer 8

though identifying two distinct training areas, the problems they have are small when viewed against a more important difference.
you have over looked the dojo/ring aspect vs the outside world aspect.

does the training really offer the person the best defensive option?

after the rules are gone, you fight a different fight.

Answer 9

Yes. Some people have suggested separating the category into two, but the two do interact together strangely enough.

Answer 10

ya id say so
but others might say no
then they will interperitate there own answers to sound complex
when it can be explained very simply just to sound either smart or important