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Martial Art Style Debateby: Rick Gil
The Great Style Debate
The difference of styles is in the same analogy as the human palate. Some people like the taste of cooked liver, some do not. Some people enjoy the taste of tuna fish while others do not. Because people have different taste acquirements, this does not mean to represent that one person’s palate is better than another. A person’s palate maybe influenced by their very own environment, per the family structure. Another analogy is the automobile. Some people prefer a Chevrolet make, some people choose a Ford, Dodge, Oldsmobile, etc. At this very moment people with these preferences are in a mental dispute. In likeness of the palate, the same could also apply to the automobile. Peers and great marketing from the manufacturer definitely influence a person’s choice. In relation to the automobile manufacturer, for a person to state one is superior over the next is not accurate. Every automotive manufacturer had certainly produced a foible product more than once in a span of time.
In the analogy of an adolescent manner, phrases like “my dad is better than yours” or “my dog is better than your dog”, can apply to some practitioners from one style that believe that their style is better than other styles. Most practitioners are influenced towards a particular style by media sources such as theatrical/film. Peers influence some practitioners. Just about everyone is searching for that ultimate style that is the most superior and/or second to none. The “fad snare” is set for those wandering around without a veracious guidance. A logical response to a veracious guidance is of the realization that all styles or systems of martial arts have the same benefits as the next and none are truly original or inimitably authentic.
The superior martial art style does not exist because all of the martial art styles have derived from the development and combination of others. One has to only trace the martial art style to see that its origins came from another style, or many styles combined. In truth, a person’s arrogance and excessive peremptory attitude which often leads to that of denial. Through this denial, a delusion of grandeur and a complacent ego develops. In addition to the very nature of a well-known instructor can turn into that of a demagogue status.
One must understand, when referring to martial arts or martial art related subjects, the term is not indigenous with Asian countries. The term, martial arts, has to be applied as the subject’s title all types of fighting (fighting or war is not indigenous to Asia only). Asian martial arts are not necessarily better or superior than others. A particular martial art, or martial art system/style, can only be as good as the people whom teach and practice it. All of such are subjected to being subjugated by another. And in a weird way, the individual whom studied harder and was naturally better would reverse the situation. In other words, a person A, studied style A and was bested by a person B that studied style B. But later in time, person B, and style B were bested from another person from style A. So the question is why are so many people and practitioners, concerned with a particular style?
Although it may appear that some martial arts may seem to be “better” than others, in actuality, all martial arts have the same modes of discipline and study. The only differences are in certain physical methods, language (although certain vocabulary were often translations from other languages and cultures), and writing. The best martial art is the one practice by what suits the individual best. In terms of discipline and study, all martial arts serve the same function. In terms of defense, the ultimate martial art or martial art weapon, is the practice and use of a gun. The practice and use of a gun has its limitations just as any martial art. Remember, a practice for fighting, defense, or harmful-warlike confrontation, is a martial art! Swords, other bladed and wooden weapons were practiced back in the days when they were the most useful. These practices are sometimes considered as their own martial art.
The gun is the weapon of the era, why can’t its practiced also be considered as a martial art? Basically, survival is of the best-prepared individual, be it years of training or other protective accessories. Although the creators of Webster’s Dictionary do not state this-they do not know well as of yet. Webster’s Dictionary lists Kung Fu as a martial art, whereas it is truly not, IT IS a misnomer or slang and that is incorrectly spelled and pronounced. Webster’s Dictionary is always revised, for at least it discovers in time, that human vocabulary and definition of language is constantly changing. To demonstrate Webster’s changes, for example, one only has to search a much earlier version to a more recent one. In example, the plural for the word shrimp, was just shrimp. Now it can also be shrimps.
The right style or system of martial arts has to be applied per individual. The same as the palate or the automobile. Someone with a common sense should implement a commonsensical reason and simple deduction on which style (or automobile) is best suited for him or her. People need to stop and think of all the misrepresentations of a martial art, (automobile, food, politics, etc.). One needs to ask him or her self on what is the best benefit that can be achieved from martial art practice. The benefit has to be pleasing and desirable for the intended practitioner. This should not totally be persuaded by the media, mass marketing, or peers.
Choosing the right style is an arduous task. Generally, the decision is influenced by a media source, i.e. film or peer pressure. The search for the ultimate martial art style or system could be considered as chimerical. In any field of study, the person inquiring about it should exercise a concise and studious research to gather information that should not be biased. In relation to the selection of the martial art style (in the same as the purchase of the automobile), the final decision should have been one that was researched and thought-out carefully.
A person with a condescending attitude should re-focus that into which should use a study through erudition. It is not the intention of these writings to belittle other martial artists and martial arts. In reality, the only reason for these to be written is not on delectation and propensity, but to write about the veracity of the martial arts as simplistic as possible. Had it not been from the actual practice and/or research of these martial arts, this approach could have not been possible.
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