Reputation

Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)

Hyoban [評判] the characters mean, “Fame; reputation; popularity; rumor; talk.” The first character means, “Evaluate; criticism; comment,” the second character means, “judgement; signature; stamp; seal.” 

To have a reputation, rep as a movie based dramatic term used by street professionals, is a belief or opinion held by someone or some group of people that becomes widespread that the someone of some group has a particular characteristic that causes a widespread beleif. Synonyms that help to describe reputation are, “A good name; character; standing, stature, STATUS, position, esteem and prestige to name a few.” 

Then it comes down to what it is that denotes the overall quality or character as seen or judged by others that awards such a status to a person or persons. What is it that makes the belief system of one or more persons to recognize another to have some characteristic or ability whereby they create within themselves a belief that the person’s reputation denotes some knowledge, ability or both toward some particular characteristic that would give them the level of status or reputation, etc.?

I believe that first their must be some trait or discipline or some belief that is accepted by a  group of humans whereby they look up to another for leadership, guidance and as a mentor to achieve some higher level of esteem often leading toward the increased status or reputation of that group of humans where either economically, psychologically or physically the benefit under the heading of group survival. 

When I think and contemplate martial arts or self-defense or martial arts self-defense toward proper survival of conflict, violence or violent conflict the important of the substance behind a reputation of subject matter professionalism I think and contemplate their level of knowledge, understanding and experience in that discipline important or even critical. 

No where else do I see the importance of verifiable, validated and authentic experiences than in a discipline toward handling conflict, violence and violent conflict where its members may have to put their health, well-being and lives up on the line in a critical status as to reputation, i.e., status in that field - professionalism. 

When a person or persons of true status with a reputation that is true toward the discipline speaks, writes or teaches I tend to listen. It does not mean that I accept blindly if for no other reason than I understand that what works for one, even a respected professional, may not actually work for another, as a unique human, is also critical in conflicts, violence and violent conflicts. 

This is the essence in finding a reality-based adrenal stress conditions training for martial arts self-defense. As each professional puts forth information one has to be wiling to commit, accept, evaluate and apply said information and teachings with full heart and soul toward making it work, making it your own and then applying it in each unique moment for each unique situation. 

Why it is critically important to have sources of respect and good reputation especially when the person and persons learning have not experience in conflict, violence and violent conflict(s). 

Note: As long as the individual with said reputation does not let that go to their heads ;-) 

Where reputation becomes a bit muddy is when no one can perceive, determine or make distinctions between reality and those beliefs based on emotions, ego, pride and a huge amount of inexperience in the actual discipline. In MA-SD that permeates most of the schools and teachings. Assumptions are made based on perceptions and feelings from sources that appear, feel and seem true but are often about how we perceive things like power and force as displayed by observations without a basis of reality that seem, feel and appear forceful and powerful when in truly the bleed off real force and power. 

Many persons with considerable reputations are found to be truly lacking once reality is presented with valid information and experiences, etc. Then again, there are some with stellar reputations in this discipline that are often scoffed at and slammed by those whose belief systems come under attack, as they perceive it, and close scrutiny not to mention “Time tells all” as over time the truth and fallacies of some reputations bring the falsehoods to the top for time tells all, over time.

Example: I came across what I perceived as a person of high valued reputation in the study, practice and teaching of a specific system of Okinawan karate. Over time that reputation held up for me until I began my exposure to actual self-defense (those proficient and experienced in conflict, violence, violent conflict and self-defense of same) professionals. I also found another person of perceived reputation as an expert in principles, i.e., fundamental principles of martial disciplines that was later validated by those professionals in self-defense, etc. Over time and by accumulation of many sources and materials I began to find that many aspects of the person of high valued reputation in the study, practice and teaching of that specific system was actually deficient in the area’s regarding self-defense. In its very essence in regard to a more cultural study along with a distinctly health, well-being and philosophical/historical study was present and held in a higher status building on that smaller part of the overall reputation. His or Her teachings, studies and applications were less viable in a true self defense conflict and violence oriented and more applicable in the “Historical, philosophical and self-improving” way. 

This cannot be emphasized enough that the “Distinctions” as they relate to the actual application must inter-connect appropriately in order to sustain a high level reputation toward that understanding, teaching and application in a reality-based way or model. Any missing component diminishes that effort and without the appropriate labeling, etc. can lead to dangerous misunderstanding and therefore dangerous beliefs. 

In the MD-SD communities it is imperative that a reputation be based on reality-based experiences and/or training methods where all of the components are present and all the teachings cover a wider range or spectrum of conflict, violence, violent conflict and self-defense. Giving the illusion of things like warrior-hood, self-defense physical applications and the mind-set and mind-state necessary would be dangerous. 

Once you find a professional source with the appropriate reputation you mind-set must maintain that for that source things can change at any time as further research, study and practice are done. It is on ongoing process where failure to continually assess sources such as describes can lead practitioners further away from the actuality of such training and practice toward that which is based on assumptions and conjecture of a dangerous kind. It can lead to a type of group mystique placing its leadership high on a pedestal type belief that can be - bad. 

Bibliography (Click the link)