Martial Arts in the Future?

[Thomas Vince]

I'd like to get your opinion as to where you think martial arts will be say 20 or even 50 years from now? What changes do you forsee and trends that are coming. Krav Maga anyone?

[Andy Murray]

Great Question T.V.

I'd like some of the Arts to remain unchanged. There are some things, which are plainly of Historical value, and must be preserved at all costs. Unless people put aside their quests for control and power in the Arts, this is going to be difficult!

The sport arts, will always come and go, some will amalgamate, some will dissapear. Some will even become traditions in their own right, that's progress!

I'd ask in reply; What have we learned in the last 20 to 50 years?

[Thomas Vince]

I hope that we have learned the we don't move the way we did 1000 years ago, 500 years ago and even 50 years ago we are fighting differently. I beleive that the streetfighter is more sophisticated than ever. It will be interesting to see what comes out of the middle east and if that will begin to be embraced by other countries and practiced. I also see Martial Art Superstores where many different styles team together to teach the masses in large metro areas, almost like a Golds Gym of Martial Arts.
I do however see the need for a real good effective childs program, more children seem to be getting involved in MA at three and four, as when I was applying for training I had to be at least 14, and the minimum time to black belt was 5 years. Fortunately for IKKA that requirement has not changed we must all be actively taking lessons for five years before we can be considered for black belt.

[waya]

In 20 years it is hard to think of where the arts will be.... With the escalation of violence in the world, it makes me wonder if they won't in a way return to where they were 500 years ago. I hope that most of the negative outlooks on the arts and those of us who live training them will change, and that the public will be better educated. But who can really say?

Rob

[Thomas Vince]

In what ways could the MA's return to the way they were 500 years ago? Just eager for your ideas.
Thomas

[Chazz]

What would i like to see:
I would like to see Academy of Martial Arts schools pop up. Where you can go and see chinese, korean, and japanees styles traing side by site in friendship. Where the schools would bring back tradition. The McDojos that are more of a joke just go out in flames.

What do i think i will see.
More open martial arts schools poping up. Traditional schools closing down or changing to a so called "UP TO DATE" style of school. (GRRRRRR) Less history of the styles being taught and school that sell you a belt being more populated than the real school.

[Thomas Vince]

Cool!
I would definately like to see the Japanese, Korean and Chinese all under one roof, the only problem with that is the roof wouldn't be big enough to fit all those headsLOL!
We have some "junk Karate" here to it's not really up to date stuff it's just this "American Karate". THese guys are just into making money and their students know about as much about Karate as a notebook. Anyway I would like to see the traditions remain in MA's, I beleive it is a vital area for all human beings because we can use this philosophy of life to improve our characters.
Thomas

[Freeform]

Everyone will be cross-training in various styles, or going back into the roots of their own style to find out what they've been looking for elsewhere has been there all along.

Will we see massive sponsorship deals?

Thanx

[Chazz]

"Will we see massive sponsorship deals? "

What do you mean by that? Just askin'
-Chazz

[Freeform]

WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TKD CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHT BROUGHT TO YOU BY MCDONALDS IN ASSOCIATION WITH BUDWEISER, KING OF BEERS

Kinda thing.

[Chazz]

*LOL* ahhhh i c.

I do agree with you then on that.

[Andy Murray]

In what ways could the MA's return to the way they were 500 years ago? Just eager for your ideas.

Do we really understand the way the MA were 500 years ago. We have books and paintings, but can we sufficiently visualise the context of a society five centurys ago, in order to answer this question?

I bet there were no Belts, McDojos or Governing Bodies!

Would someone in the 'MA' 500 years ago, be able to understand the commercial pressures on the arts today?

:woo:

[Chazz]

Im sure there wassnt a belt system. From what i hear and read, the belt system is fairly new.

I think a lot of OLD martial artist from back then would go crazy if they saw the way some martial arts have gotten.

[Freeform]

You are soft, weak and stupid!

Well thats what I'd think they'd say.

[waya]

The belt system is fairly new. The resemblance I think will be coming is that every day more and more people begin training strictly for combative reasons. Look at the degradation of the world around us. Many people are deciding not to be victims anymore, and that is how most of the arts got started to begin with.

Rob

[hongkongfuey]

What about some form of immersive VR fighting popping up in arcades? They already have the graphics and AI technology to do this (Tekken, Virtual Fighter etc) - all they need is some form of body suit that monitors your responses and VR specs.

Just imagine - testing your skills against a real (or virtual) opponent and being able to do strikes to the neck, groin, eyes etc.

OK, so it would not be totally realistic as you would not lose sight in your eye if struck and feel a huge pain, but the relevant sensors could react as if that part of the body was disabled (i.e. no picture through that eye).

Something like this could really make martial arts appeal to the masses (in my opinion) as a lot of kids would have a shot at this and get the pants beaten off them by real martial artists. Also, a computer generated opponent with incredible reaction times would be a great training aid.

Talking rubbish? let me have your thoughts.

[Thomas Vince]

I think that would be really cool! Ever see the contraption that heavyweight boxer Evandor Holyfield had strapped to his back?

[hongkongfuey]

Can't say that I have - what was it?

[Thomas Vince]

It was a stainless steel machine built of hinges and hydrolic cylanders designed to give him resistance and strengthening techniques for a more powerful punch. It looked like something out of X-files.

[LilBunnyRabbit]

I've seen those IR frameworks you can get to punch or kick through, and hook them up to a console. Problem with them is you do an amazing jumping swing/downwards kick combination and it renders it as a straight punch.

[hongkongfuey]

You would need sensors at every joint (including fingers) for it to be fully realistic. I would expect something like this to be available in the next 5 years. You could even challenge someone in another country to a fight, which would be pretty exciting.

[Thomas Vince]

CKD Student,
Explain the read out of a straight punch verses a "whatever you called it" kick. Enlightened me Bro!
Where did you get your knowledge of this device?

[Thomas Vince]

HKF,
I think that if our world gets that techno- it would be a great way to eliminate competitor's but the bottom line would be a real match between the two! Great idea though, mmmmm want to go into a partnership and build this thing? We could both retire early!

[Pablo]

If you are serious, I've had for many years, the plans for a completely automated MA facility based on police obstacle courses such as Hogan's Alley. The pop-ups throw various strikes that have to be blocked, and very small targets have to be hit with sufficient force and correct angle to deactivate each 'attacker'.
I'll be happy to dust them off for anyone who wants to pay to build it. Add a few instructional DVDs, some thumping music, a printed score/rank certificate at the end, and voila, instant McDojo.

Build it and they will come

paul

[Freeform]

Oh, no. We're finally gonna have people with no excuse to 'defend' their styles against others!

I think the idea of a VR dojo is hilarious, 'plug in and train'. You could have a martial arts version of the microsoft 'helpful paperclip', finally I'll be able to hit the little bugger!

Thanx

[hongkongfuey]

Good point Freeform. You could pick your opponent to look like anyone you like - your boss for example. Or the office paperclip!

Pablo - your idea sounds fantastic. It would allow much more real contact than the virtual dojo (until there is good force feedback built into my VR suit). Is there anyway you could post it online so other members of this forum could look at it and make comments or are you worried about protecting IP?

Thomas - I've let Sega know that you'll be in charge of my US office.

[Pablo]

I don't consider it a real 'invention', just adapting technology from flight simulators to the format used in firearms training.
Actuators, force pads, strain gauges, timers, and the like are readily available, and I've been surprised that no one else has put out something similar.

A cheap version is to take a wooden dummy and replace the arms with heavy single springs (from one of those chest exercisers).

I=I===///////////===I=I


**WARNING** You WILL get hurt on one of these. I have made and used a couple versions, and even with padded arms and tennis ball 'fists', they will give you a whack.


take care


paul

[hongkongfuey]

A bit like the fighting machine at the beginning of the film Dune?

[LilBunnyRabbit]

Except missing the sharp pointy bits.

[hongkongfuey]

I bet there is no poison or spinning saws then? Useless!

Send it to me and I'll attach my chainsaw, kitchen knives and a few syringes.

Now I just need my first volunteer to test the thing.

[Thomas Vince]

I've created a monster!
It's alive, IT's ALIVE!
What if we could make the machine to strap to our backs and link to our bodies to make us hit harder, move faster? Almost like a riding fighting machine? Oh, my!

[hongkongfuey]

The US army are already working on robotic body suits to allow soldiers to run faster, whilst effectivly wearing armour plating. Terminator may be nearer than we think. (or is it the 6 million dollar man?).

Also working on semi-invisibility camaflage outfits, similar to Predator.

Dont believe me. Then have a look at

http://www.washtimes.com/national/20020402-21004504.htm

[Greyghost]

Next thing you know james....they'll have invented a machine that makes you buy a round of drinks.....though that might be true science fiction.

Surely the next step is to take the human out of the equation altogether.....

perhaps settle the next conflict in the gulf with a few rounds of tekken.

that would involve all the skill, it would be loads more fun than warfare and have none of the bloodshed.

[hongkongfuey]

I agree that one day battles might well be fought without loss of life. We just need some sort of VR setup .....

That is, if we havn't wiped ourselves off the planet by then.

[Freeform]

Has anyone ever seen the Macho Redman and BlueMaxx full protection gear? You could attach sensors into it that would tell your opponent when he/she's dead. It would also give the guy wearing the suit the opertunity to take a few hits which is always a good thing if your training reality.

Thanx

[Sonshu]

Few more Hybrid styles and MMA stuff but TKD, Judo and the others have stood the test of time and will continue to do so.

There are too many people doing these older styles!

SOSNHU

[Thomas Vince]

This is a topic that should run another 50 years.
I think the exciting thing about Parker Kenpo is that is an infant compared to other styles and it has so much growing to do.
As generations close and are reborn Ed PArker's Kenpo was designed to grow with the times much like the ancient form of Kenpo from China.
Exciting news is the art called Vajra Mukti which came from India. This is the art that the Buddha Bodhidarma brought with him to the monasteries of China.
Martial arts should be cross trained, Sifu Lee said it best when he said to label something or to give it a name was to limit the art. Unfortunately in our modern era the name means everything.

I do believe that the martial arts will become watered down. I live to keep the traditions of martial arts alive and breathing because without tradition we have no history, without history YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU CAME FROM, without knowing where you came from it is hard to make your own direction.
God bless everyone that is teaching and spreading the word of real martial arts, may it live forever through trials and tribulations.

I live in a free country and I wish the day would come when the art is revered once again. When we make a public display of what we have accomplished we give tribute to our instructor's and our art and if done when the heart is in it, there is always pride, justice and success.

[hongkongfuey]

Thomas,

I'd forgotton all about this thread. Still interested in that parnership?

Great to see you back on this site.

James

[Bon]

I think we'll see all styles integrated into one, so we'll have the wrestling, BJJ, sambo, etc. as well as the boxing, kickboxing, thai boxing, karate, TKD.

Cross-training will be the norm, you'll no longer be training in such and such, you'll be traning in a whole bunch of styles integrated into one.