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I've thought a lot about what you said, and came up with a whole series of responses.. from the obvious (that's why I said I needed to practice courtesy) to the more vitriolic. For what its worth, the virtiol wasn't directed at you: you seem to have a very easy going way online, which is nice.
That said, I guess the only REAL response is this.. when or if I ever see the people who post bold claims and knowledge on Aikiweb in practice, or have the chance to learn Aikido from them, I will make the attempt to evaluate this afresh. I've demonstrated this in the past. For example, I really enjoyed learning about Aikido from Ellis Amdur... Perhaps he's not a good example, because he is so diplomatic in terms of what he says and how he backs it up.
However, historically speaking, at least professionally, I've noticed that bold claims are almost always more marketeering than substance. Most people, especially Aikido people, are easily manipulated. Until I actually see any Aikiweb people for a serious amount of time, the only thing that I can learn from them is whatever facts or anecdotes they have to disclose, as well as whatever historical, literary, or visual knowledge they may allude to or cite.
That concrete historical, literary, etc. knowledge I can absorb for myself, as I become aware. The rest of that unverifiable stuff.. I take it with the attitude of "caveat emptor," especially when it contradicts what I've seen in my own practice, is handed out with a lack of politeness, and is sufficiently unverifiable or unlearnable that I safely declare it irrelevant - that's not a permanent designation by the way, but a temporary one.
12-13-2006 12:48 PM 