E-mail from a Reader: Why No Names?
I’m not sure why I’m addressing this topic, but I received an e-mail asking me why I don’t mention names, when I discuss various topics, such as my article on “Martial Art Belts” (referring to the teacher with a 15 colored belt system), “Hall of Fames,” and those that questioned my martial arts validity on E-budo.com, (see entry titled “Koryu Purists”).
You know I never thought that was an issue. The basic answer is naming names is not necessary in those articles.
First of all, in the case of E-budo.com, and other sites like them that questioned and discussed the validity of my martial arts background, naming names would just make the article personal, and sound like I’m attacking particular individuals who expressed their opinions. Opinions they have a right to, but could have been expressed more graciously.
Besides, I didn’t spend much time on E-budo reading all the posts, and I definitely didn’t take the time to write down whom each person was, or what they said. Even when I finally did address their questions in their forum, I didn’t respond directly to any one individual.
To be honest I didn’t care who these individuals were since I have never met any of them face to face. However, Spencer, my student who responded on behalf of the school, did take the time to look up these individuals, and their backgrounds were interesting. Surprisingly few were Koryu stylists.
My article, “Koryu Purists” was written as a generalized response to their attack on my credibility. Not only for those that wrote on E-budo, but for those that read the thread (several 1000 from what I heard), and for those who share the same beliefs that if you are Koryu you must look down upon others you perceive are not. This is a sad snobbery disseminated by a few very well known Koryu practitioners.
That article was written in order to vent my feelings, and because I’m not the first, or the last person, these people will do this sort of thing to.
As for the teacher described in my article “Martial Art Belts,” he is a friend. Though we have debated his belt system numerous times, there is no need to mention his name. Not that he would care, but it’s his business what he does. It’s not my place to judge his business decisions, and naming him wouldn’t have changed the gist of what I was trying to say.
Besides, if readers look around they can find numerous other teachers just like him. He is but one example of a growing trend.
As for the “Hall Of Fame” article whose name should I use? The letter I quoted is interchangeable. Sure they may word things slightly differently, but except the prices, they all say basically the same thing.
Naming individuals in this case would just be asking for problems. I would clearly insult someone, or someone who knows someone.
Believe it or not there are many people who value these Hall of Fames, and think they have a lot of merit. The one I attended had over 60 inductees, all of which paid $200.00 plus for the honor. Tell some of those guys their award is meaningless and see what happens.
With all that said, the real answer to this question is this:
#1 – When I write I have no intention of disrespecting anyone, or starting a conflict with any individual or their supporters. That’s easier to accomplish by leaving their names out.
#2 – When the need arises I will name names. Sometimes that can’t be helped. However, I will never ever write something about anyone I wouldn’t say, or haven’t said to his or her face. That’s not my style, and I believe in treating others, as I want them to treat me.
#3 – Sometimes in order to tell a story one must generalize, and use a composite of many individuals as an example. In this case there would be no name to use.
#4 – My memory isn’t what it use to be, and sometimes try as hard as I might I just can’t remember names. To many hits to the head I guess.
So Joseph, (the name of the guy who posed the question)--see I used your name--I first of all want to thank you from reading the articles on my “blog,” Nice to see somebody other than my mother is.
Secondly, like I wrote you back, I would really be interested in what compelled you to ask me this question in the first place. I must have really hit a nerve with one of the three listed articles.
You’re not the head of the Galactic Martial Arts Federation by chance? If so, I meant no disrespect.
Lastly, relax Joseph. You take my opinions/rants way too seriously. In addition, you were wrong: I did address your concern on my “blog” after all. Well, sort of! The rest is best left for another time.
You know I never thought that was an issue. The basic answer is naming names is not necessary in those articles.
First of all, in the case of E-budo.com, and other sites like them that questioned and discussed the validity of my martial arts background, naming names would just make the article personal, and sound like I’m attacking particular individuals who expressed their opinions. Opinions they have a right to, but could have been expressed more graciously.
Besides, I didn’t spend much time on E-budo reading all the posts, and I definitely didn’t take the time to write down whom each person was, or what they said. Even when I finally did address their questions in their forum, I didn’t respond directly to any one individual.
To be honest I didn’t care who these individuals were since I have never met any of them face to face. However, Spencer, my student who responded on behalf of the school, did take the time to look up these individuals, and their backgrounds were interesting. Surprisingly few were Koryu stylists.
My article, “Koryu Purists” was written as a generalized response to their attack on my credibility. Not only for those that wrote on E-budo, but for those that read the thread (several 1000 from what I heard), and for those who share the same beliefs that if you are Koryu you must look down upon others you perceive are not. This is a sad snobbery disseminated by a few very well known Koryu practitioners.
That article was written in order to vent my feelings, and because I’m not the first, or the last person, these people will do this sort of thing to.
As for the teacher described in my article “Martial Art Belts,” he is a friend. Though we have debated his belt system numerous times, there is no need to mention his name. Not that he would care, but it’s his business what he does. It’s not my place to judge his business decisions, and naming him wouldn’t have changed the gist of what I was trying to say.
Besides, if readers look around they can find numerous other teachers just like him. He is but one example of a growing trend.
As for the “Hall Of Fame” article whose name should I use? The letter I quoted is interchangeable. Sure they may word things slightly differently, but except the prices, they all say basically the same thing.
Naming individuals in this case would just be asking for problems. I would clearly insult someone, or someone who knows someone.
Believe it or not there are many people who value these Hall of Fames, and think they have a lot of merit. The one I attended had over 60 inductees, all of which paid $200.00 plus for the honor. Tell some of those guys their award is meaningless and see what happens.
With all that said, the real answer to this question is this:
#1 – When I write I have no intention of disrespecting anyone, or starting a conflict with any individual or their supporters. That’s easier to accomplish by leaving their names out.
#2 – When the need arises I will name names. Sometimes that can’t be helped. However, I will never ever write something about anyone I wouldn’t say, or haven’t said to his or her face. That’s not my style, and I believe in treating others, as I want them to treat me.
#3 – Sometimes in order to tell a story one must generalize, and use a composite of many individuals as an example. In this case there would be no name to use.
#4 – My memory isn’t what it use to be, and sometimes try as hard as I might I just can’t remember names. To many hits to the head I guess.
So Joseph, (the name of the guy who posed the question)--see I used your name--I first of all want to thank you from reading the articles on my “blog,” Nice to see somebody other than my mother is.
Secondly, like I wrote you back, I would really be interested in what compelled you to ask me this question in the first place. I must have really hit a nerve with one of the three listed articles.
You’re not the head of the Galactic Martial Arts Federation by chance? If so, I meant no disrespect.
Lastly, relax Joseph. You take my opinions/rants way too seriously. In addition, you were wrong: I did address your concern on my “blog” after all. Well, sort of! The rest is best left for another time.
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