the rum soaked fist: internal martial arts forum

here = asia? rsf?

Steve,

I would say that predators prey on the weak and that no advantage exists to being physically weak.

Intellectuals, and I'm not referring to you here as I understand that you get it, tend to denigrate the physically strong for any number of reasons, but it's generally because they are mentally weak as well as physically so.

Lifting weights may not improve someone's IQ, but it builds willpower and focus quickly. Just the act of placing 150kg on your back and doing a deep knee bend five times in a row does wonders for a young man's ability to focus. Pushing through the pain and fear of moving a weight, that if mishandled, could cripple you and making yourself do it over and over again for a period of months at a time leaves you with something you keep for the rest of your life.

And the overly brainy and under accomplished tend to get steamrolled by anyone who has a strong will.

I wouldn't make any argument for being physically weak. I think the reality is that everyone becomes weak or is weaker than others and some point. So, I while I agree that being physically strong is better, I don't think it's always possible. I think martial arts were developed because of that reality. I don't think skill guarantees anything, but it gives one a chance. Without any training, there's little chance.

I also think the question is not how to get more strength. That's relatively straightforward. The issue is what you do with it once you get it. I think what most people object to are bullies, not strength. What the weak person in the class needs/wants is for the biggest kid to stand up for him. But, often it's the biggest kid that's the bully. My solution is simple. All the kids jump on the bully. However, in this society that doesn't happen. So, a friend of mine once noted that the reason people want to get stronger or to study martial arts is always the same: they're weak. They train to compensate, and sometimes overcompensate.

I'd say the object is to have a strong mind in a strong body for as long as they hold out. I'me, the construction workers I've known were more intellectual than the academics I've known were physical. That's life.

Steve James wrote: My solution is simple. All the kids jump on the bully. However, in this society that doesn't happen.

one of my friends and his classmates did this as kids. the big kid never bullied them after that. it was "mob justice". a bunch of little kids jumping on you and kicking you is too much for even a big kid.

this is also similar to what one of my MA teachers said. big burly police officers tackle you and sit/lay on you, like in the NFL. you aren't gonna go anywhere. no need for a beatdown.

everything wrote:here = asia? rsf?

ah, sorry. here= the quote in my post