The world of martial arts is full of rich tales and folklore. Ancient qigong masters were reputed to be able to transform the physical properties of objects and magically influence the weather. There are many people who claim to have powers that are almost supernatural:
But really - most of them are just smoke and mirrors or auto-suggestion at best. Most people
scoff at these parlour tricks as being far-removed from modern martial arts. And perhaps they are. For modern people cannot easily be fooled by such things. We have seen TV magicians doing these kind of things since we were children.
But consider simpler times, when such tricks could convince many that you had magical powers and were a force to be reckoned with. Would that not deter people from attacking you? Would it - at least - make people think twice about getting on the wrong side of you?
Consider this sword form.....
There is very little in the way of practical sword fighting going on here. Don't get me wrong, it is a great piece of balance, athleticism, power and sword control. But it is completely devoid of practical applications, and would be totally useless for sword fighting of any kind....
BUT...
It does make people think you are a force to be reckoned with. Wouldn't that not deter people from attacking you? Would it - at least - make people think twice about getting on the wrong side of you?
Deception, smoke and mirrors take many forms.
2 comments:
Personally, a bad ass reputation would make me think twice.
That said, however, I think creating a reputation like this was easier in the olden times, not just because people were more easily fooled, but because communities were smaller and spreading rumors (an important part of reputation) was easier.
Like, back then, community members were much better acquainted than they are now, so spreading a badass rumor about yourself was easier.
Nowadays? Not so much.
Unless you're in a very small community, like a highschool. Or unless you're in a large community, but your reputation is being spread by an equally large communicative force, like a news outlet.
Just sayin.
Personally, a bad ass reputation would make me think twice.
That said, however, I think creating a reputation like this was easier in the olden times, not just because people were more easily fooled, but because communities were smaller and spreading rumors (an important part of reputation) was easier.
Like, back then, community members were much better acquainted than they are now, so spreading a badass rumor about yourself was easier.
Nowadays? Not so much.
Unless you're in a very small community, like a highschool. Or unless you're in a large community, but your reputation is being perpetuated by an equally large communicative force, like a news outlet.
Just sayin.
Post a Comment