Interestingly enough, Mori Sensei told my sensei once; Miyahara sensei when he posed the question, "Sensei, why dont you teach us your waza", Mori sensei said, "I am not here to teach you, you are here to learn".

I think that is basically true. You can bark at people all day, including a hachi dan doing the barking, but it doesnt mean anything was taught if noone listened or chose to learn it.

I agree with Neill of course. But I would like to add that some folks that are insulted because someone gives them advice wouldn't be if it was said in a dojo environment. Or if one could see what a certain waza is all about or something.
I also learned a new word and that is asshole patrol. I like the way it sounds and it describes the hunt for the malcontents, who know it all without any qualification to back it up. I think that the majority are made of the stuff that Kendo needs and some aren't. My guess is that the latter are causing the personal vendetta's here. And some people are just assholes period. What can you do about it? In a dojo you can make your Kendo speak for yourself. Here the twisting of words (Sorry Mr. President) and the subtle use of language is your main weapon. And some humor of course, we don't want to get all levelheaded like Neill do we? So in the end it's all about Neill don't forget this.
I hope I have earned enough for a trip to Saskatoon now........

Brownie points that is for the ticket that Paikea has so graciously offered.

Always room for the Orange Brigade...but, I don't think Neil's going to share the secret location even if he knows it. Sure as heck, I wouldn't.

http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ies/scared.gif

Sounds like a fight is brewing.........there goes my percentage points, up from 94.8032% to 96.1429% of all threads end in fights....

http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ilies/wink.gif

I call them "internet experts", and every forum on the internet is filled with them. In an another online community I'm involved with we call them 'Keyboard Jockeys' or KJ's... guys who post lots of theory without the field experience to back it up.

Whats wierd is on this forum you have godans arguing with gokyu's . . . that simply would not happen in real life. Being relatively new to kendo myself, I've realised a lot of the time you've got to check your ego at the door, ask questions when appropriate and thats the way you learn the most.

1)I would say most threads are discussions rather than arguments. Those that devolve to arguments are much rarer than 95%
2)Many of those arguments are started when a person asked for an answer and got the one they did not want.
3)I like the fact that rank is attached directly to my identifier since when a person answers a question I would like to know what their qualifications are for answering the question.
4)Some of our more experienced members lose patience when the same question is being asked over and over again and the person rejects the standard answer. While I suppose they should be scolded for not being the saints that Kendo Sensei are supposed to be I personally would just ban the poster and close the thread so my kendo has so much further to go.

While I don't think godans "arguing" with gokyus is good, I think the godans trying to correct the gokyus misconceptions is good. That is their job. It is important to not cross the line though and degenerate into bickering. Although it is fun sometimes... not that I am a godan... but Capt. Picard is a 50th dan taunter when something tickles his fancy and he would kick all our arses at keiko... or throw us out the airlock.... I think when the advice is serious and the tone is serious then it is clear. When the all knowing forum members speak way out of character, it should be obvious when the real discussion has ended. But some people just lack the proper sarcasm filters, I suppose... they also speak up too soon before knowing the full cast of characters and personalities involved.... my 10 cents...

when the student is ready the teacher will appear... oriental proverb