GrahamB wrote:"I don't agree". Hmmm, so should I listen to qualified, respected historian Holcombe... or a guy on the Internet who does tai chi... I don't know. What do you recommend?
Yes, he has a Phd in history and has written a few books. Even if I do respect his knowledge, I don't know why anyone would want to believe that he is right in everything he writes. There are Chinese historians that claim that Chen Wangting invented Tai Chi and that the Li manuscripts are real, and those know much more about Chinese history than Holcombe. Everyone has their own reasons to write what they write and claim what they claim. You should try to build your own understanding so that you don't need to rely on others, or to hide behind what other write. Though I cannot brag about having published books, I do have an academic degree which includes subjects and studies as Chinese history and Classical Chinese language (and btw, I worked with China and Chinese companies for ten years.) Even if you don't care very much about what I write, but as you are interested in Chinese history and culture, I would suggest that you try to find books from my teacher that you mentioned. If I would rely on anyone, and trust anyone's word, I would rely on him. Literary raised in an imperial library, I would not exaggerate If I said that he has at least one hundred times more knowledge in Chinese history and culture than Holcombe and Scott combined. There you will find true knowledge. I am very sad to know that he won't complete his planned and partially finished book about the Tai Chi history. If he had, I would not need to argue about why Scott is wrong and flaws in Holcombes reasoning.
Well, my friend - I'm going to suggest that this is on you, not them, and if you really want to find out what they mean, then you're going to have to read a book.
I don't understand why you can't see that Scott is nothing else than a lunatic. But of course, unlike me, he wrote a book...
I have read enough from them both to understand that by generalising of this name they both miss the mark. If you don't understand why "theatre" is bad term to use about Chinese opera tradition in general, I suggest that you read more about these very diverse and rich Chinese traditions.
... Oh my ... I have no idea why I care about arguing with a guy who cannot keep up a decent discussion without showing a bad attitude and being passive aggressive... some random "guy on the Internet who does tai chi"... someone who hasn't even studied China or visited the country.
... But hey, I guess one reason to procrastinate from doing important work is just as good as another...
Well, back to work.