Counterfeit Achievements

  It appears that it has become passe to (actually) “study”, much less “research” the technical aspects of a martial art. Of course anyone who has been (really) paying attention, will of already realized this. It has come down to who-ever has the money, is going to have the “rank”.
  Most student's of the martial arts are (already) aware of this fact, but for any “new” students, it should be a “wake-up” call. Once you've gotten your first Yudansha ranking (by sweat, or by check), the rest are only a matter of how much cash you have (or are willing to shell-out).
  I know everyone wants to wail about how “their” rank is legitimate (whatever that's supposed to mean?), but it really boils down to who has the money to spend for whatever rank they want to claim to possess.
  What used to be (limited?) reserved to the “Mcdojo” category of martial art “schools”, is (very much so) now, openly being marketed on the web.
  Even among the (at one time) “legitimate” systems/schools, the pursuit of (ever) higher rank, has turned into the latest marketing ploy to retain students (and make "cash").
  Ability?, Skill?, Knowledge?, these mean nothing (to the general public), the only thing that attracts students, would seem to be higher ranking (for "picking" an instructor).
  The fact that you've been actually studying (what? Only “1” style!  For how many years?) over the course of your training, apparently only goes to prove how “out of touch” you are (with the rest of the martial arts world).
  I've written previously about how ridiculous I find the moon's that claim 4 or 5 different Yudansha ranks (of which most seem to be 5^th dan and higher, in each, LOL) to be, but apparently that's the new “standard”.
  I have yet to of met one that (really) “knew” anything (of value), but they're out there (none the less) doing “seminar's”on numerous mundane topics.
  The only “kudo's” that I will bestow upon them, is that they're doing something. What I find more repugnant, are the scumbags that receive “titles” and “awards” from outfits like the following (of which there are multiple offender's).
  These outfit's offer an “award's banquet”. These “banquets” are to present various “awards, certificates” to individual's. The only requirement, is that you pay for attending, (after you submit yourself for the award(s) or rank!).
  The only thing I couldn't determine (for certain), was if you had to “pay” (individually) for each “award”?, or if you could just lump them all together (I feel it was probably required to pay for each).
  The “attendance” fee, was $395.00 (per “award” being recieved?), of course you did have to fill out the paper work for what “qualified” you (uh,..That, and supplying the check, LOL).
The listed Sample “Counterfeit” Categories that are (readily) available, included (but were not limited to)
Outstanding Instructional Leadership
Outstanding Business Leadership
Outstanding Educational Leadership
Outstanding Leadership in Christian Martial Arts
Outstanding Promotion of the Martial Arts
Outstanding Tournament Promotion
Outstanding After School Promotion
Outstanding Contribution in Video Instruction
Outstanding Contribution to Woman’s Safety
Outstanding Research and Development
Outstanding Community Service
Outstanding Development in Management
Outstanding Development in Defensive Tactics
Outstanding Promotion of children's Safety
Outstanding Cultural Contribution
Outstanding Contribution to Health and Fitness

  If one notes, all of the listed “categories”, are speculative (in nature, and content). Each, sounds substantive, but all are (in truth) rather vague.
  Of course these were not awarded by any merit, other than the supplied documents being filled in (by you). Just as with (the all to common and usual) “rank” testing, you pay your money, and you get your “award” (rank, what-ever).
  With only a little bit of searching the internet, I found 4 places that provide this service. And through those sites, I found dozens of schools, who's instructor's are listing all of these great “awards” and achievement's that have been provided through these outfits.
  I'd put it at 90% of the schools that the instructor claims to have 3+ Yudansha gradings (of different systems) also, lists (at least) one of these outfits as being a “provider” (source) for their “awards”.
  I suppose that in the long run, it's cheaper (?) to just “buy” your rank. It's cheaper than starting your own system (just to be able to promote yourself in rank, LOL), and sounds more legitimate.
  What I'm rather sick of, is hearing about how unethical it all is.  Well no shit. I have no doubt that the “martial arts” industry must be one of the highest perpetrator's of scam artist profession's available today (I know of nobody, who isn't familiar with at least “2” martial art schools/instructor's who fall into the “scam” category).
  Anyone, can “claim” (damn near) anything, or title that they so choose to claim. Most students only last for 3-8 months (at best), so establishing “legitimacy” is hardly an issue. The “new” student rarely knows what's right/wrong/good/bad anyway, so if the “instructor” can keep them entertained for long enough (to make some cash off of them), they will provide (enough) legitimacy for the next student that comes along.
  Outfits like the one's I've described above, only provide (fake) documentation for (equally “fake”) legitimacy.
  I haven't been able to figure out why somebody feels the need to have more than one Yudansha ranking. For every additional one that you (supposedly) have, that means your (that much) less adept at your original system.
  Having been there, and done that, I get how you (might) believe it to be “necessary”. But, I also know that until I abandoned all the “extra” B.S. and began to actually study/research (my chosen) one art, my knowledge and ability had stagnated (despite the exposure to numerous systems).
  The concept of “focus” is (often) thrown around in the martial art's world. It is that impatiences, that I believe the concept to be addressing.
  All of that “extra” involvement, reminds me of something my dad told me when I was little, No matter how great tasting the frosting might seem to be, if you try to make a cake out of Pig Shit, it will always taste like Pig Shit.


(Which is about all the more I "respect" of these “Multi-system-High-Ranking martial artists” that I can muster)