Advice on purchasing rope dart. [Archive] - BudoSeek! Martial Arts Community Forums

Mark Barlow

11-21-2005, 15:54

"It would most likely cost me more than 20-40 dollars to get lessons, and there is no place remotely near me that I know of that teaches anything like this. They're all Tae Kwon Do (not sure how to spell it), and if I'm not mistaken the rope dart is a Wushu weapon. Hope that clarifies."

That doesn't change the fact that you're playing with a home-made, therefore probably unsafe, version of one of the hardest weapons to master. It's just one step below cobbling together a pipe gun and deciding you're Wyatt Earp. Trust me on this, it is not safe to play with any bladed or flexible weapon, it's just too easy to hurt yourself or those around you. Grab a stick and practice arnis, jo or bo techiques. You'll still probably break something but won't kill anyone.

Elijah

11-21-2005, 15:58

The one I made is a small sphere of rock, it weighs maybe three lbs, heavily padded tied onto the end of a rope. You may have thought it was an actual dart, but no, it's much safer in my opinion.

Now here's what I'm wondering. How am I supposed to learn something, or anyone supposed to learn something, if they're told to stop when they ask for advice? I'm really just looking for a good online supplier. I have no other option but to self teach, so that's what I'm planning to do.

And if all you're worried about is the fact that what I'm practicing with is home made, why not suggest a place I can buy a real one? That would be very appreciated.

Thanks.

Mark Barlow

11-21-2005, 16:12

Elijah,

You are 100% right. I've offered advice where none was asked for. I apologize. Check any of the online martial arts supply sites and you shouldn't have any trouble finding what you want. However, if you wouldn't mind, let us know about whatever injuries you inflect or suffer. Good luck and remember to keep pressure on the wound.

Elijah

11-21-2005, 16:16

Apology accepted.

I will not keep you up to date on any injuries inflicted/received, it would probably bore you due to the fact I highly doubt they will be any more or less than any other individual who is learning a martial arts weapon. It's not as if having a trainer makes you automatically exempt from mistakes.

Does anyone else want to give me some specifications to look for as asked in the original post? Thanks.

TonyU

11-21-2005, 16:19

Apology accepted.

I will not keep you up to date on any injuries inflicted/received, it would probably bore you due to the fact I highly doubt they will be any more or less than any other individual who is learning a martial arts weapon. It's not as if having a trainer makes you automatically exempt from mistakes.

That's where you are wrong.
A competent instructor will first start you with basics and drills and would be watching you and making any corrections before you can seriously hurt yourself and before developing bad habits.

Mark Barlow

11-21-2005, 16:21

Here, Tony, take my place. I've already softened up the wall by banging my head against it. It should also be nice and toasty. :D

TonyU

11-21-2005, 16:25

Here, Tony, take my place. I've already softened up the wall by banging my head against it. It should also be nice and toasty. :D
Nah, that's all right. I appreciate it though.
Instead I'm going to the dojo, after 21 years of training I still want my sensei to see my empty hand and kobudo make sure I'm still doing it right.

Elijah

11-21-2005, 16:41

Good point.
While we're straying from the original topic, and concentrating on my potential injury...

Can you suggest any instructional materials I might be able to get my hands on to keep me from developing mad habits and hurting myself?

Trust me, if it was possible for me to get lessons in my area I would, but self teaching is my only option... thanks.

Dennis Monk

11-21-2005, 17:12

Instructional materials, no. But here are some examples of what you may want to pick up.

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0316736465.01._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_AA240_SH20_SCLZZZZZZZ_.gif http://www.escape-co.com/images/gem1staid2.jpg
And here's one for the folks.
http://images.alibris.com/isbn/0/3/1/2/2/0312281765.gif

Abbax8

11-21-2005, 17:28

Elijah,
the reason you have received unsolicited advice to not do what you propose to do is because as MA instructors we truly do have the welfare of students in mind. You ask how can you be sure your doing techniques correct. The answer is, you can't! You need a qualified instructor watching your technique and correcting your errors. Read through various threads on this board and you will see countless times other students were told to find a qualified instructor, and most of these were for non-weapons training.

I hope you take the advice you have received here. Also you should understand that even if you had a Wu Shu instructor next door to you, you would not be training in the rope dart at this moment. As has been said, such weapons are the hardest to learn and are only studied after other more basic weapons are learned. Usually years are spent in study.

Peace

Dennis

sean_stonehart

11-21-2005, 21:02

OK take it from a Chinese Martial arts player who stabbed his brother in the throat with a rope dart when I was 17, being stupid, knowing everything except when to listen to my teacher. This is not a toy weapon even with a "rock" at the end. It then becomes more of a Metor Hammer type weapon which instead of stabbing, will just bludgeon at a distance.

A rope dart is one of the more advanced weapons in the flexible category due to the physical & mental requirements to make it play properly & with as little damage as possible.

Put it down. Walk away from it. Go find reuptable training & start with the basics... just like everybody else. Otherwise, much like the others who are senior to me in age, experience & training time above have said, you're going to be upset with your results.

Elijah

11-21-2005, 21:18

I understand the concerns you are expressing. But I hate to think that because of where I live, there is absolutely no point in me even trying to self teach a martial arts weapon. I refuse to believe that no one has ever self taught something like this. Didn't some of them originate that way? Anyways...

I'm using it only as exercise currently, since I enjoy it and it takes alot out of me if I stay at it for awhile. I can just see you all envisioning me kicking a 3lb weight on the end of a rope at my siblings because I think I'm a master. That's not the case. I practice in an open "field" you could call it, away from any people.

Are there any martial arts weapons that can be self taught in your opinion? Thanks.

Sgathak

11-21-2005, 21:53

But I hate to think that because of where I live, there is absolutely no point in me even trying to self teach a martial arts weapon.

Hate to think it or not, but its true.

I refuse to believe that no one has ever self taught something like this. Didn't some of them originate that way?

It must be nice to just "refuse to believe".... Yeah, sure someone probably taught themselvs how to use it. they probably had years of study. They probably had already mastered empty hand techniques, as well as staff, dao, and jian. They probably knew how to work the basics of flexible weapons, like the 3 sec staff, and they probably worked very hard and got hurt a whole bunch trying to figure out their various dart and hammer techniques. They probably were soldiers with nothing more than military practice or down time between shifts in the guard tower, or monks with little more than time on their hands and a religious drive for self perfection... and in either case, they lived in a time and place where if they screwed up and people died, no one cared.

YOU live in a time and place where if you screw up, you stand a very real chance of going to jail... or at least the emergency room. Either for yourself, or for others.

Elijah

11-21-2005, 22:14

Sgathak

11-21-2005, 22:16

Nothing, your both untrained numbskulls, except that by posting here YOU have the advantage of having many very experienced people give you their feedback on the idea.

And so far, what has that feedback been?

Webmaster

11-21-2005, 22:24

What's the difference between me doing this, or someone else just like me tying a rock to the end of the rope and saying "I'm going to learn how to do neat manuevers with this thing!". That's what I'm wondering.

Thanks.
You and someone else just like you have no training. Others that may have learned on their own likely had some actual training. However, don't bother to listen to folks on this site that have been training and probably achieved some level of martial arts skill long before you were born. After all, you are 15, think you know more than everyone else and don't need to take advice that is given to you by those with more experience. After all, who needs to practice to get good? Hard work, sweat and training under a qualified instructor is for us old farts, but you can just pull out the DVD or video game and download the knowledge you need to learn a martial art right into your brain, just like in the bloody Matrix. You are blessed with living in a world where instant gratification can be yours, so don't bother with actually putting any effort into something. And while you are at it, go ahead and contact some of these martial arts diplima mills. You can tell them that you created your own martial art and are a grand master. They will issue you a nice certificate, suitable for framing and you are go on to martial arts glory. After all, why bother to start at the bottom like everyone else?

Cameron

11-21-2005, 23:26

Look, Elijah,you really should just do everyone (including yourself) a favor, and don't buy or practice with a rope dart.(makeshift or otherwise). Although you are probably just going to do what you want anyway.

Anywho, moving on, since you apparently don't wish to heed everyone's advice, I have a question about your original post. If I may ask, why does the quality matter to you? You obviously are not going to do any kata, etc. with it, so it shouldn't be relevant, IMO. As I gather, you plan to swing it around for whatever reason. If your'e going to learn or practice something, wouldn't it make sense to learn it the right way? Again, this is my opinion.

TonyU

11-22-2005, 06:27

Okay, let me try one more time.
Elijah, have you notice that noone has given you the answer you have asked for.
The reason behind that is for your own good, as much as you hate to hear that.

You've asked what should you do since there are no resources or schools for learning that particular weapon.
My answer to you is be patient. You are young. Get yourself into a martial art school. Learn some basic foot work and techniques.
As you get older oppurtunies will arise. Take advantage of them and seek a qualified teacher.
Not everything can or has to be learned now.
Good luck.

Jeff Burger

11-22-2005, 06:59

You'll put your eye out kid.

My addvice DONT BUY A ROPE DART.

Make a soap dart. Thas how I learned.
Take some soap put it in a plastic bag or two tape it up good and then loop the rope around it and tape it.
Mine has held together for a few years.

I have 2 soap on a rope darts want to buy one?

Jeff

Dennis Monk

11-22-2005, 09:04

Unfortunately this youngster has already made up his mind and will do what he wants. He was looking for someone to point him in the direction to purchase a weapon which, if practiced unsafely, could cause serious damage to himself or others. He was given well intentioned, good advice to not make or purchase such a weapon. He has made it clear that he intends to do so, but knows enough to not hurt himself or someone else. That being said, I say send him out into the world and let him him find his way.
Kid, in my mind you on on your own. You don't want to listen to those that are older, smarter and more mature than you, so be it. Just remember, one of two things will happen in your quest to learn the rope dart on your own:
1. You will learn nothing of use and will be utterly ineffective with it.
2. You or someone else will be seriously injured and it will be your fault; considering your age, your parents' as well.

Cameron

11-22-2005, 09:41

I don't even understand the point of the original post. What do you want from us, Elijah? Affirmation to buy the weapon and be foolish? What is so hard about going to a search engine and typing in the words "rope dart" I am sure you will pull up many sites selling what you are seeking. So, if you don't want to heed the advice of everyone on this board, many of whom know their stuff quite well, then I can only hope that you don't hurt yourself or anyone else.

Dennis Monk

11-22-2005, 09:43

What is so hard about going to a search engine and typing in the words "rope dart"

Yahoo search: 18,000 hits
Google search: 892 hits

Eliz

11-22-2005, 10:17

Elijah,
Where do you live? Maybe someone on here knows of an instructor in your area.

Jeff Burger

11-22-2005, 10:49

Rope dart is THE hardest weapon to learn and you WILL hit yourself with it.

Go soap or go dope.

Jeff

Abbax8

11-22-2005, 15:54

Here's what can happen. Two teenagers watch Bruce Lee movies and decide to buy nunchuckus. Go out into back yard and practice some moves pretty regular and begin to get OK. One teen decides to purchase a pair of chucks made from iron wood. Getting better with practice decides to get fancy. Smacks self on outside of knee. Could not walk real well for a month, bruise lasted the better part of a year.

Elijah, be smarter than those who have gone before, learn from their mistakes. You really don't need to make your own.

Peace

Dennis

TonyU

11-22-2005, 16:07

Somehow me thinks Elijah won't be visiting us anymore.

Elijah

11-22-2005, 16:47

Okay, so basically you're saying, if someone decides they want to get good with a weapon that happens to have to do with martial arts, they MUST get a trainer and MUST learn from martial arts teachers to do so? That doesn't make sense.

My original post was to find out what specifications to look for in a rope dart, and thus far no one who has bothered to reply has given me any, but I undertand your reasoning.

I respect your opinions (and that IS what they are,) but I do not have to adapt them as my own, however much you believe that I do.

Thanks to those that were helpful, and thanks to those that posted with good intentions to keep me or others from injury. I respect what you're trying to do, I just do not agree with you.

To save you from worry, I'm not dumb enough to try to hit someone or to practice with people within reach of my home made practice weapon, even though some before me near my age may have been. My weapon is safe, too, I've hit myself a few times with no lasting or serious injuries. I think you're underestimating my intelligence in this matter.

Again, thanks for all of the posts, I know they were meant for the good of myself and others.

Take care.

Jeff Burger

11-22-2005, 18:17

"Okay, so basically you're saying, if someone decides they want to get good with a weapon that happens to have to do with martial arts, they MUST get a trainer and MUST learn from martial arts teachers to do so? That doesn't make sense.'

YES !!!!
That is not even questionable.

Jeff

sean_stonehart

11-22-2005, 18:31

Jeff is so right...

What part of "BASICS" that we've all talked about don't you understand?
What part of "PROPER INSTRUCTION" isn't sinking in??

jjaje

11-22-2005, 19:07

I'm using it only as exercise currently, since I enjoy it and it takes alot out of me if I stay at it for awhile.

Elijah,

If you want to use somthing as an exercise, yet also work on your hand-eye coordination and not worry much about hurting others then try this new gizmo: BOLA (http://bosufitness.com/bolaTrainer.php) - After watching the videos, I'm thinking of putting it on my Christmas List.

Grei

11-23-2005, 00:43

Real Bolas are way cooler than those fake excercise ones...

But anyways...

Yeah, Elijah, I see where you're going with this. But you need to loosen up a bit and realize that these people know at least 'a bit' more than you. I have a friend who is much the same way with weapons, but at least he picks things that are easier to control and less likely to harm himself or others with.

Okay, so basically you're saying, if someone decides they want to get good with a weapon that happens to have to do with martial arts, they MUST get a trainer and MUST learn from martial arts teachers to do so? That doesn't make sense.

What doesn't make sense here is your comment that it doesn't make sense. There wasn't one person who decided to sit down in his teens and play with turning various objects into weapons for even a couple years. This things were developed over time, likely through generations. Would you attempt to figure out how to fly a plane with no training or experience, recreate the Mona Lisa, perform a arabian dance for a festival of the arts? Why would you want to even TRY to when you can much more easily learn from the experience of others?

It's true that people around didn't really give you the information you asked for, but can you blame them? It's called being responsible. If it was something like, say, looking for a bokken or bo I think it would be something different. But a rope dart has a high risk of injury if you're not knowing what you're doing...

If you must play with it at least use something more impact absorbant... like a bag of sand or beanbag or something.

It's not a matter of intelligence. I would expect ANYONE to be intelligent enough not to try practicing a rope dart on other people... but accidents happen, especially if you're trying to teach yourself. LISTEN to people who have more experience than you, even if you don't like what they're saying. It may be possible that nothing would ever happen... but I've had my own fair share of accidents from improvised weaponry (including at least one very bloody stabbing... luckilly nothing serious) and I'd definately urge you to do so in this case... rocks for instance can easily slip out of knots, and can cause much more damage than you might think... especially from a rope that gets it going at a high velocity. (Principle of the sling...)

Heck, when I was little I used to come in all bruised and cut up from my friends and I throwing rocks at eachother... I remember splitting my eyebrow open from it. Just an inch lower and I'd probably be lacking a right eye at the moment...

I would have made a firarms comparison also, but I honestly don't know enough about them...

But on that note, it's also similar to trying to make your own homemade fireworks. Or really any kind of explosive... without any prior experience or training or anyone to teach.

Eliz

11-23-2005, 01:14

Wow, you go David! Great post. :)

TonyU

11-23-2005, 04:18

Wow, you go David! Great post. :)
And from a 18 year old at that.

Dennis Monk

11-23-2005, 06:55

Yes, good post David. And since you brought it up, I'll make the firearms comparison. Ever since I was a young child I have been facinated with firearms. I thought they were "cool" and wanted to learn to shoot one. My father didn't own many but he did have a revolver and a .22 automatic and knew how to use both. Sure it would have been foolish and illegal for me to just take one out and learn it for myself, plus my father did see the value in teaching me the responsibility of safe handling and use of firearms. I learned the basic rules of handling a firearm such as, but not limited to: Treat all firearms as if they are loaded, Never place your finger on the trigger until you are ready to fire, Never point the weapon at anything you are not prepared to punch holes in (kill), etc. I would not have learned these on my own. Could I have become profficient on my own? Probably, but would I have been instilled with the desire to maintain safety at all times, while truly respecting the destructive power that I held in my hands? More than likely not.
This is not too far away from learning a martial arts weapon. Could you figure out a way to make a rope dart, or any thing else for that matter, do what you want it to do? Sure, but without real instruction, you will not be taught the core basics and safety aspects. Besides all of that, and it was stated before, if you were to take up a martial art that utilizes the rope dart in its training, it would probably be years before you ever touched one. I wonder why that is.

thedaryl

04-03-2006, 20:00

First off, be warned, the advice i give is not normal nor recommended by what most people would consider to be "sane reasoning". i don't know much about the theories on past lives or whatnot, and everything i've heard has really made me more confused than understanding, but since i was a child, i've carried the rope dart with me almost metaphorically. i've also carried the o-mei piercers, spinning things in my hands seeing the piercers, who knows. ANYWAYS, my first rope dart was 2 lengths of shoelace tied to a keyring through one of the bottom holes of a throwing knife. i figured in all sanity, a ball or small sand bag/bag of pebbles would be the best for learning this weapon. Then i decided that's what they want me to do, and i did it as i do most things: stubborn as a mule and refusing to get help from others. My logic is that the best way to be good with a dangerous weapon is to practice it with the most dangerous weapon on the end as possible in a room with as many breakable things as possible. i do this for the same reason that for me, when walking on a balance beam 3 inches off the ground, i fall off constantly and can't even stand on it without falling off. Conversely, put me on a balance beam 13 feet off the ground and i can damn near traverse it on my hands. The idea of putting yourself in as much danger as possible gives you GREAT incentive not to screw up. Maybe i have better than average refelexes/intuition or whatever, but i won't lie to you. I've seen that blade come straight at my face at least 12 times in my life, and it was coming with extreme prejudice. The only thing i've had to go off was a short video consisting of some chinese people of all ages, but mostly very young practicing somewhere in a downtown park in the morning i assume. This video didn't really help that much at first, but later on the techniques become more obvious as to what they are doing at such speeds. My throwing knife in question is dull as hell, but i can still put it through any wood substance short of petrification or garbage can (metal targets can actually sharpen it a bit). The best advice i can give is become very adept at just throwing it back and forth, keeping in mind how much you are letting out behind you, and training as such with both hands until a new level of dexterity has been achieved (you'll know when). Practice daily, hard though that may be to be out of the public eye. After almost 2 years of training, i can pick thrown golf balls out of the air with a few tries (the timing is the hard part), thrown shoeboxes work as excellent targets with moving centers to aim for and are easy to puncture. i should also note that at the beginning of my training, i tied the back end of the rope to my dominant hand to make sure it didn't go flying off into wherever all the time....while i was able to learn my accuracy and range of motion this way throwing at stacks of boxes in a buddy's garage, i was very limited as to the actual functionality of the weapon and sustained more injuries this way than any, notably only shin and foot injuries, never with blood drawn. This also prevented me from stopping the weapon from coming at me by blocking my face, as teh string was attached to such and would head there--this is how you get good at dodging if you're crazy enough to try. Good luck. i'll be back here every now and then to see if there are new posts if you feel like asking any questions Elijah.

jwinch2

04-03-2006, 20:40

This thread equals... (http://www.tomuphoto.com/news/images/Train%20wreck.jpg)

thedaryl

04-03-2006, 20:46

Rope dart is in my soul, and was there long before i even knew it existed. If, in yourself, you actually FEEL like this is your weapon, just start throwing it around. If you want to learn rope dart merely because it looks cool, seek a trainer or develop a proficiency in staff fighting as there are remarkable similarities to the rope dart in form. i have no sensei, no name, and no art. Simply become the weapon, as lame as that sounds. Practice throwing it forward, bringing it back, doing one overhand circle and throwing it behind you, bring it back, do one underhand cirlce and throw it forwards, and continue until both left and right hand have reached more acute levels of dexterity. Once that is mastered, reverse the circling pattern. Practice shifting your weight upon catch and release, ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS keeping the principles of Yin and Yang in mind. Everything really can be simplified into black and white. After you feel confident enough to throw it around with shifty and fancy footwork alike start moving into more complicated wraps such as head, foot, and elbow, and the most important piece of bad advice i can give is to make it fly smoothly with as LITTLE speed as possible. In doing so, the blade is slowed down and easier to understand, you can focus on more individual muscle groups in the wrist and fingers, and you can see the true beauty in the style. Make it flow like wind. Currently, i practice in a room of my house in which i'm not allowed to sit on the furniture unless it's a special occasion and i'm supervised. There are many breakables in this room, and one screw up will land me on the street. My parents do not know i practice kung fu. i keep this art as hidden as possible as owning rope darts (and throwing knives alike) are fairly illegal in Canada, yet they can be imported and sold, go figure. Hallways are a great place to practice, keeping in mind not to hit any light fixtures above you. Beware throwing the knife in a cyclical motion on the horizontal plane; keep the weapon as vertical as possible at all times until your basic skills are unimaginable by normal people. i have taught several of my more unscrupulous friends the basics as they were interested immediately and none of them have hurt themselves with what they learned from a minute or 2 of watching me. You will quickly learn the importance of keeping your arms away from your body, and beware practicing in an unabalanced state of mind or whilst frustrated. In such circumstances, i've taken direct hits to the shins about 3 times, been slapped with the flat side of the blade in the face and the groin once each, and hurt a few toes not paying attention, as well as bruising the top of my foot for several months. take care, and remember i am a bad influence.

evvad

04-03-2006, 21:12

This thread equals... (http://www.tomuphoto.com/news/images/Train%20wreck.jpg)

Sure, but where are the flames?

David Craik

04-04-2006, 05:09

Likely no one has the patience or stamina to wade through the huge unbroken paragraphs.

DragonMind

04-04-2006, 10:15

i'll be back here every now and then to see if there are new posts if you feel like asking any questions Elijah.
With half-wit advice like that, please don't. :up:

take care, and remember i am a bad influence.
No, you are a moron. Please go away.

Mark Barlow

04-04-2006, 10:33

"thedaryl Rope dart is in my soul, and was there long before i even knew it existed. "

Do you have any idea how goofy that sounds? It's seldom that you see such poor and ill-informed advice gathered in one convenient source. You are definitely ready to snatch the pebble and the temple will be better off without you.

David Craik

04-04-2006, 10:54

I especially liked this, it sounds so kewl and mysterious:

i have no sensei, no name, and no art.

Hell, I thought his name was Daryl.. :confused:

At any rate, it is unlikely that Elijah will be around to receive these pearls of wisdom anythime soon. He hasn't logged in since November 27th of last year.

jwinch2

04-04-2006, 10:59

"thedaryl Rope dart is in my soul, and was there long before i even knew it existed. "

:laugh:

Choo Choo!... Choo Choo!... Oh, crap! Watch out! AHHHHHH!!!!!

David Craik

04-04-2006, 11:28

While I can hazard a guess at how painful a rope dart must be in your eye or forehead, I cannot even begin to imagine how much it must suck to have one in your soul.

jwinch2

04-04-2006, 13:01

While I can hazard a guess at how painful a rope dart must be in your eye or forehead, I cannot even begin to imagine how much it must suck to have one in your soul.

Plus, the surgery for that is not covered under most health plans. Chances are if you have it, you are stuck with it...
:laugh: Damn HMO's

thedaryl

04-04-2006, 14:21

wow, my feelings are almost hurt, except i care about none of your opinions, otherwise i wouldn't have posted. Also, i was only talking to Elijah, as none of you seemed to offer any actual answers to his question. This was supposed to be a one or 2 time posting; and i am amazed at the amount of people that post here daily, as if they had nothing better to do like, i don't know, train in their art. Either way, in my defense, i leave you with some words from Einstein: "Great spirits have always encountered opposition from mediocre minds."

Do not reply to this, as there will be no responses, as i had no intention of communicating with the rest of you *******s in the first place.

Mark Barlow

04-04-2006, 14:28

Well, now that everyone with experience and knowledge has been read the riot act, I'm sure we're all properly contrite and ready to study under the true master. By the way, other than still living at home and endangering mom's chotzkies, what are you doing to further your already vast knowledge? Obviously, someone who is quick to offer advice while admitting that they have neither a teacher or legitimate training has a life map already plotted.

Dennis Monk

04-04-2006, 14:29

Do not reply to this, as there will be no responses, as i had no intention of communicating with the rest of you *******s in the first place.
Ah, but here is a reply.
Goodbye and don't come back.

David Craik

04-04-2006, 16:30

Ahh, the old troll standby: "You post a lot, so you must not train"

It makes me wonder if there is some sort of time truncation under the bridges where they dwell, as last time I checked there were 24 hours in a day. Perhaps the fact that they do not have time to do anything but train explains why their posts, diction, and parsing tend to be so horrible and the content of their posts so galactically stupid.

Now this is cool:

i am amazed at the amount of people that post here daily, as if they had nothing better to do like, i don't know, train in their art.

Then, from his profile:

i have little to no formal training, using the internet as a training guide.

Anyone else see how ironic this is? :laugh:

Also, i was only talking to Elijah

Err..he posted this question last year. It looks at the last date of posting and realizes the poster has probably figured it out by now.

Good luck in your "internet training", Daryl. It would seem to me that if quality training was so important to you, you would either:

1) Get an actual job other than "finding the meanings[sic] of life"

or

2) Use the money you currently are spending on an internet connection

to get qualified instruction in a martial art. But maybe that's just me.

Here's another quote from Einstein, though, since you seem to like them:

"Sometimes one pays most for the things one gets for nothing."

Another, perhaps more to the point:

"If A is a success in life, then A equals x plus y plus z. Work is x; y is play; and z is keeping your mouth shut."