Why do people love to bash others martial art styles?

[hemi]

I know this question really doesn’t have an answer. It just drives me crazy when people bash Kenpo or any art for that matter. I posted an answer on yahoo answers with a link to KT so this prospective student could come and ask questions. Next thing I see someone hiding behind a keyboard talking smack about Kenpo and comparing it to TKD. In this persons opinion both are all flash and have no real value for self-defense. But they are quick to run off at the mouth about how great the art they train in this week is, and how anyone in that art happens to be unstoppable.

I know this is more of a rant thread. I just had to tell someone since I will never be able to sit down and have a conversation and maybe a demonstration of Kenpo with the person that posted that reply.

[Kosho Gakkusei]

I think all martial arts have something valuable to offer. Everyone is not looking for the same thing from MA.

No Art is the best at everything but all Arts specialize in something.

I think it serves one better to try to learn from others & other arts rather than criticizing to try to make your self or your art better by bringing another down.

_don flatt

[Celtic_Crippler]

I know it's probably a small comfort, but people with that type of mindset will never grow in skill, intelligence, or spirit. I think folks like that have severe self-esteem issues and that's why they feel the need to bash any style or organization that's not currently their own. Which actually is evidence that whatever they ARE studying probably isn't teaching them properly in the first place! DOH!

[Bob Hubbard]

People criticize, often without full information. Take satisfaction in knowing that no memorial or statue has ever been dedicated to the critic. Their small minds and need to offset their own feelings in inferiority by tearing down others is not the signs of a good roll model, but simply something to strive to not be.

[Mikael151]

Might be from the "McDojo" effect, but it wouldn't bother me. "Kenpo is for everyone, but not everyone is for Kenpo." SGM Parker

[Dianhsuhe]

Hemi- Is that your first encounter like that? LOL

I take solace in the fact that not everyone practices or likes Kempo. Not everyone like Steve McQueen either... And those people are just wrong!

There are tough as heck TKD guys and there are Kempo practicioners that are harmless...Being a former TKD stylist myself I can tell you though that these people are the exception not the rule.

Keep trying to help Hemi because it only takes one person who you can have a positive influence on and it is ALL worth while!

Cheers!

[Celtic_Crippler]

There's people that don't like Steve McQueen!?!?!?!

[NickName99]

Its not so much about the art as its a question of the athlete.
Any style can make you a better person, more skillful and healthier.
The real key ingredient is "Can you fight when you need to?"
All paths lead to a part of the answer, the other part is you

[Dianhsuhe]

I somewhat agree with the above but there are some paths that when travelled, lead to a bigger part of the "answer".

I know as I have travelled several...Most led me to questions rather than parts of the answer-

Just my .02

[profesormental]

Greetings.

Many people have the perspective that there is only one way to do something right.

Similar to saying there there is only one way to get to the X on the map, where the treasure is.

as in martial methods training, it all depends where you are right now and where you want to go.

This has led to the paving and development of many roads.

The cool thing is that they will all get you there, one way or the other, and since many start in different places, not one road is the ONLY and TRUE road.

What really matters is that you're moving towards the X on the map.

Although I do agree that there are optimal paths to get there, many require a commitment and sacrifice that may not be in the best interests of someone with a certain set of priorities to follow.

So there are other considerations, yyet the one that makes mot people upset is that one road seeminly invalidates theirs, so fo the defense of their "truth", they must attack.

Mostly shows lack of understanding.

It's a common personality traint.

Hope that helps.

Sincerely,

Juan M. Mercado

[ronin6]

All arts are unique. In my mind, that type of person who states that there art is best is foolish. To me it shows ignorance. It gives that person false pretense ad in the end makes themselves vulnerable. You may have different opinions but in the end all arts need to be respected. If not I believe you disrespect those who came before you and those after you.

[gakusei]

As they say Ignorance is bliss.

They may have been brainwashed by a bad teacher. Who knows. Maybe they should watch the Karate Kid. Mr. Miyagi states, "No such thing as bad student, only bad teacher."

[sigung86]

Great minds dive and swim deeply, and strongly, in the ocean of martial wisdom. Tiny minds only dabble at the shore.

Don't give a yo-yo like that a second thought.

[Takai]

Its not so much about the art as its a question of the athlete.
Any style can make you a better person, more skillful and healthier.
The real key ingredient is "Can you fight when you need to?"
All paths lead to a part of the answer, the other part is you

I think you hit the nail on the head. "Can YOU...." It is not the merely style that makes the person capable, it is the person that is capable of using the style when then they need to.

I have to agree with the other posters. There is no such thing as a perfect style every takes what they learn and apply it as best they can.

People have a tendency to mock what they don't fully understand. Whether it is a MA style or a culture, we al just have learn about mutual respect.

Ok, I will get off of my soapbox now.

[SPK,Grasshopper]

Come on keyboard Black belts are the best. they are so funny with there nohow. I just hope they not kick my butt. Don't tell them, do you have a technique for keyboards. HELP

[Dianhsuhe]

Kudos to Mr. Mercado's post. I would have to agree with it in it's entirety, even though it appears he is a shrink maybe? LOL

Very introspective and I find it much easier to read with it double-spaced.

Good people and good stuff on this board- A little too much "quoting" but hey..

[marvinmckenzie]

This list seems to be of a different mindset than others things I have found about Martial Arts so far. Generally speaking there seems to be a lot of negative talking about other systems.

About the only bashing I have noticed on this forum is the jabs at "Mcdojo's" which, if that is speaking about systems that give away ranks - that makes a little sense to me.

[Celtic_Crippler]

This list seems to be of a different mindset than others things I have found about Martial Arts so far. Generally speaking there seems to be a lot of negative talking about other systems.

About the only bashing I have noticed on this forum is the jabs at "Mcdojo's" which, if that is speaking about systems that give away ranks - that makes a little sense to me.

Bashing isn't tolerated here (unlike other places.) Notice that when the topic of "McDojos" comes up, no particular style is attached to it. Unfortunately, they exist within all styles.

Come on keyboard Black belts are the best. they are so funny with there nohow.

"No-how"? LMAO Was that intentional? Regardless, not only was it funny but it pretty much says it all!!

[Blackcatbonz]

As they say Ignorance is bliss.

They may have been brainwashed by a bad teacher. Who knows. Maybe they should watch the Karate Kid. Mr. Miyagi states, "No such thing as bad student, only bad teacher."

When people become passionate about something like martial arts it's pretty easy to fall into the "mine is better than yours" game.
Students start to look at their teacher's as more than just teachers and some will even adopt their attitude.
Of course, someone who is passionate about what they study will talk about something else as if it were second rate and this usually gets a dedicated student into the same way of thinking.
I look at the MMA trend and i see that attitude all of the time.

there were a lot of people that bashed the Gracie's until they had their ass handed to them by one.

it's almost like religion.

[Southwell]

As they say Ignorance is bliss.

They may have been brainwashed by a bad teacher. Who knows. Maybe they should watch the Karate Kid. Mr. Miyagi states, "No such thing as bad student, only bad teacher."

Ah, you must be a friend of Mr.Seabrook if I hear another quote from one of the Karate kid movies, I don't have to watch them Jamie knows them off by heart, LOL just kidding buddy.