Hyperbole Irritations

[Alan Armstrong]

Exaggerations in martial arts that over state facts can be annoying.

One that particularly stands out in mind is the term "Kung Fu Master"

It seems that when an MAA, BJJ or boxer has a grudge match, the opponent is a Kung Fu Master.

Then the KFM gets knocked out and the winner is congratulated for beating this guy up.

The friends or instructors of these victories upload the video showing how wel they did against a master.

From my perspective the KFM doesn't look like or perform like a "Master".

KFM's are not realistically going door to door looking for grudge matches in other martial art schools or gymnasiums.

Exaggerating opponents as masters, does give egotistical fighters a boost to there already over rated egos.

A KFM doesn't necessarily equate to having a super natural quality to fight and those that have this ability are usually very busy working as Doctors in Chinese medicine.

What martial art exaggerations bother you?

[sensei8]

That rank denotes abilities!!

This exaggeration bothers me, if the word "bother" is the exact reflection of what I feel, the most.

Rank has nothing to do with knowledge and experience, imho!! To me, knowledge and experience grossly outweighs rank; it always has, it always will.

Example...

Bruce Lee's knowledge and experience greatly outweighed any known rank system, imho. I'm not saying that Bruce was of a certain rank within the MA, but what I am saying is that Bruce only had 19 years of MA experience.

19, oh my good grief charlie brown, YEARS!! 19!!

For those that have been in the MA more than 19 years, how in depth was your MA knowledge and experience?? Mine, compared to Bruce, after 19 years, hadn't even scratched the surface; it was infinitesimal, at best.

After 19 years in the MA, I was one year shy of earning my Godan, which means I was a Yondan after 19 years in the MA. I was 26 years old; full of vinegar...full of myself!! However, even back then, I already knew enough to know absolutely NOT A THING!!!! Nonetheless, I would never present myself through my rank, but only through my knowledge and experience.

That's why I'm so easy to point out this one irrefutable fact...Proof is on the floor...not around ones waist.

Albeit, MAist's seem to be of the opinion that their rank is everything, and will not hesitate in reminding others around them, about their rank. Not taking in consideration that without that prerequisite acquired knowledge and experience, rank is less than nominal, if at all.

Another example...

I've a drivers license! I earned it! I took all the required courses! I passed all of the required tests! I'm a great driver!

Not so fast, there. Without acquiring knowledge and experience behind the wheel, one can't say that they're a great, not even a good, driver; takes years to become a competent driver. That drivers license doesn't accurately denote ones abilities behind the wheel.

While his MA knowledge and experience only expanded a mere 19 years, Bruce packed quite a lot of knowledge and experience within those 19 years. Quality over quantity, if I've ever heard!!

So, when people start to hide under their rank as the barometer of their abilities, that bothers me to no living end.

What's that famous expression...

"Belts are only good for one thing; they help to hold my pants up."

[singularity6]

In our school, our "Master Instructor" just asks to be called Mister in class (your choice of first or last name after mister.) Outside the dojang, it's a strictly first-name basis. We line up by rank in class, but everyone pretty much treats each other as equals. It's really quite nice!

[Spartacus Maximus]

When people exaggerate about ranks, abilities or status is always because they hope to get something by doing it. The agenda varies but it is always the motivation.

Exaggerating have always been a part of martial arts and is not always something wrong. What makes exaggeration objectionable is when it is done knowingly and willfully for reasons that are ethically or morally wrong.

Those are the kinds of exaggerations that bother and annoy me. In the end it is a waste of time to think or dwell on such things, but they certainly make genuine martial artist angry when said exaggerations start to directly affect training.