Martial arts: Pseudo-masters

There is an old saying, if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it must be a duck!

It's not true; it could be a crow masquerading as a duck.

Something that is pseudo is not real or genuine. A pseudo-master is not a real or genuine master; the master designation is merely the product of the person's imagination. Some pseudo-masters are self created; they fake their resume and credentials to make themselves appear to be masters or they "found" their own style and make themselves the master of the style. Some pseudo-masters are the creation of other pseudo-masters; a rank awarded by a pseudo-master is just as bogus as the original pseudo-master's rank.

Indicators of pseudo-masters

Another way to state this is, if you dress, behave, perform, write, and speak like a master, then the gullible public will perceive you as a master, even if you are not a master!

The following are indicators that compare pseudo-masters and legitimate masters. The indicators are not foolproof, but if you do a little research into the background of a claimed master you may find that many, if not all, of the indicators are present, which should cause you to reconsider you opinion of the "master."

• Pseudo-master indicators are in normal text. Legitimate master indicators are in bold text.
• Pseudo-masters make blatantly obvious claims to be the descendant or successor of some supreme grand master or style founder. If a legitimate master is a descendant or a successor, you will have to search to discover it. The master will be humble and not publicize or mention it.
• Pseudo-masters wear uniforms that would make the robes of a king or queen look inadequate. Their uniforms are usually covered with patches, wild colors, piping, silk, symbols, etc. They wear colorful head bands, wrist bands, etc. Pseudo-masters have large egos, but usually do not have the intellect, education, skills, etc. that would allow them the success needed to justify the large egos. To make up for the deficient, they wear clothing they think makes them appear special. Legitimate masters usually wear simple uniforms of the traditional colors used by their arts.
• Pseudo-masters wear belts that are extra wide and/or extra log. The belts are usually brightly colored and cover with symbols. The ranks stripes are wide, bright, and numerous. The belts are usually as preposterous as their uniforms. Legitimate masters wear simple belts with simple stripes.
• Pseudo-masters speak mumbo jumbo. They use terminology they invented or learned from another pseudo-master. They give complicated names to simple things or techniques to make them sound special. Legitimate masters speak clearly and use standard phraseology.
• Pseudo-masters are usually founders of a new martial. Since there are only a few ways to kick, punch, and grapple, all variations of each are already used in traditional martial arts. Therefore any new art is usually a combination of existing martial arts, or it is some existing martial art with new packaging. Legitimate masters are usually masters in well-established traditional martial arts.
• Pseudo-masters claim their methods and techniques are secret, banned, mystical, cannot be measured scientifically, rely on some special herb or tonic, rely on some internal power that only comes from years of training with said masters, are too deadly to be used by other martial arts, or use some death or delayed death touch. Legitimate masters use time-tested techniques that have been proved scientifically or in actual use.
• Pseudo-masters claims to be a professor or a PhD in the martial arts or some other obscure subject. A check of a pseudo-master's vita will usually result in the degree being a mail order or online degree from an unaccredited university, an "alternative" learning university, some degree program set up by another pseudo-master, or some foreign unrecognized university. Some degrees are honorary, bestowed by some supreme grand pseudo-master. Diplomas, just like rank certificates, are easily generated on computers and are easily obtained from Internet sources. Legitimate masters have standard degrees from accredited universities and have certified transcripts to prove it.
• Pseudo-masters have rank, usually high rank, in numerous martial arts. Like roaches, pseudo-masters seem to attract each other. They give each other rank in each other's "organizations" so they all seem like supermen. Legitimate masters have rank in one or two, may three unique arts that complement each other and do not conflict with each other. Just as you cannot be a true Baptist and also be a true Catholic, you cannot be a true believer in the concepts of, and a black belt in, taekwondo, and also be a true believer in the concepts of, and a black belt in, Shito-ryu karate. If you truly believe in one, you cannot truly believe in the other.
• Pseudo-masters are members of some "recognizing" or "unifying" organization; some even operate their own "recognizing" organization. If you have rank from a legitimate organization, you do not need to be "recognized" by any other organizations. Recognizing organizations tend to "recognize" each other and the members of each other, for a fee of course. These organizations claim not criticize other organizations, styles, or people; however, this claim is usually used to indict others who dare criticize them. Legitimate masters belong to their style's regional, national, or international organizations and that is all, unless membership in another organization is needed for competition, such as belonging to the AAU to compete in AAU tournaments.
• Pseudo-masters are members of one or more "halls of fame" of "recognizing" organizations. Legitimate masters are recognized by their peers in their own organizations.
• Pseudo-masters are usually fat and out of condition, and have some reason for being that way, like a hormone imbalance. Legitimate masters are usually in excellent physical condition, whatever their age or medical situation.
• Both legitimate masters and pseudo-masters have concern for their reputations, and the reputations of their schools, arts, and organizations. However, legitimate masters strive to maintain good reputations, sometimes at the risk of other things, such as income, while pseudo-masters, will risk their reputations in the pursuit of another dollar. The most successful con men are those who are friendly, likable, good looking, seem to care, and seem to know what they are doing. Sometimes masters are too good to be true—so beware.
• Pseudo-masters, although they are now slow and use poor technique, have tales of yesteryear when they were the greatest fighters on the planet. You do not have to know anything about snow skiing to recognize a world-class skier on the slopes; even old ones still have world-class techniques. If you could perform a perfect kick to an opponent's head as a 20 year old, you should at least be able to perform a perfect kick to an opponents' abdomen as a 60 year old, or to the opponent's knee as a 70 or 80 year old. If you could ever ride a bicycle, you will never forget how to ride a bicycle no matter how old you are, or how long it has been since you last rode. Legitimate masters always use perfect techniques or, if unable to perform perfect techniques due to health reasons, will at least know how to teach perfect technique.
• Pseudo-masters usually demand some type respect other than common courtesy; they demand to be called eternal grandmaster, overlord, your highness, or some other ego boosting title that makes them feel important since they have no real authority or power. Legitimate masters only have your call them sir or ma'am or some other simple traditional title.
• Pseudo-masters have photographs hung on walls that show them with numerous other pseudo-masters. The photographs were usually made at one of the aforementioned hall of fame banquets held by recognizing organizations. To be photographed with a master, all you have to do is be at an event where the master is participating in photograph taking with fans; it does not necessarily mean the master knows who you are. Legitimate masters will also have photographs but they will usually be of them with community leaders.

Source

tkdtutor.com