C. David Henderson

Buck,

I'm saying that if you pursue the metaphor of evolution with respect to something like a martial art, then beware that the idea of evolution has ideological baggage, along with everything else. I think one of the implicit premises of this thread is that Aikido should become "better" over time.

One level of question is whether the way something like a martial art changes over time can be likened to "evolution" in a meaningful, suggestive, or useful way.

Another question is what "evolution," if it or something like it occurs, means.

I asked the question because I wondered if Gene C held the opinion that since Aikido evolves, the way he sees it changing ipso facto means those changes make it better, and to hold otherwise is to be an unreasoning traditionalist if not an elitist.

Popularizing an art may create a dominant form, and it may limit or even extinguish other forms. That's change. It doesn't mean something "better" is emerging.

David