I've been noticing repeated discussions in this forum along the lines of the following ...
Training method x sucks.
No it doesn't, you just don't understand it right. Here's how it works.
I've heard all that before, and my experience/observations says that it doesn't work.
Well, you're just ignorant then. Or a troll. It does too work.
Does not.
Uh huh.
Nuh huh.
(Repeat for 20 pages, then start over in the next thread.)
Now, I've been training long enough that I have my own opinions about the efficacy of different training methods. I definitely consider certain training methods suboptimal compared to others. I've seen some training methods that I consider downright detrimental. I'm sure there are people on this forum whose training methods I might have some harsh words for if they asked for my blunt opinion. That said, there are some things I try to keep in mind before getting sucked too far into these kinds of arguments.
There are martial artists I deeply respect who are firm advocates for training methods that I don't care for.
There are plenty of people who could kick my butt who train with methods I don't care for.
I don't know everything. I've changed my mind about the best way to train over the years and I may very well do so again in the future.
I'm here to learn and enjoy the conversation, not to prove how much more I know than other people.
I will never, ever change anyone's mind by calling them ignorant or otherwise insulting them.
If someone doesn't seem to understand my point, I may try rephrasing it in a way that makes more sense to them.
Just because someone doesn't agree with me, doesn't mean they don't understand my point. (Or that they're stupid or ignorant or a troll)
If the person I'm talking to does understand my point, but still doesn't agree with me, it's a waste of time to take offense or to repeat myself endlessly.
Just my thoughts on the matter.
Training method x sucks.
No it doesn't, you just don't understand it right. Here's how it works.
I've heard all that before, and my experience/observations says that it doesn't work.
Well, you're just ignorant then. Or a troll. It does too work.
Does not.
Uh huh.
Nuh huh.
(Repeat for 20 pages, then start over in the next thread.)
Now, I've been training long enough that I have my own opinions about the efficacy of different training methods. I definitely consider certain training methods suboptimal compared to others. I've seen some training methods that I consider downright detrimental. I'm sure there are people on this forum whose training methods I might have some harsh words for if they asked for my blunt opinion. That said, there are some things I try to keep in mind before getting sucked too far into these kinds of arguments.
There are martial artists I deeply respect who are firm advocates for training methods that I don't care for.
There are plenty of people who could kick my butt who train with methods I don't care for.
I don't know everything. I've changed my mind about the best way to train over the years and I may very well do so again in the future.
I'm here to learn and enjoy the conversation, not to prove how much more I know than other people.
I will never, ever change anyone's mind by calling them ignorant or otherwise insulting them.
If someone doesn't seem to understand my point, I may try rephrasing it in a way that makes more sense to them.
Just because someone doesn't agree with me, doesn't mean they don't understand my point. (Or that they're stupid or ignorant or a troll)
If the person I'm talking to does understand my point, but still doesn't agree with me, it's a waste of time to take offense or to repeat myself endlessly.
Just my thoughts on the matter.