Martial Arts and Magical Thinking

**JKDChick** · Posted On: 7/28/2011 8:26pm

Hey boys and girls.

I get to give a 10-min presentation at a Skeptical event up here on "Martial Arts and Magical Thinking". I intend to reference the Dim Mak video from Fox Chicago at the start, because it's such an awesome starting place.

I'm fishing around for other topics -- I'd like to be fairly focused though.

Any suggestions?

***TaeBo_Master*** · Posted On: 7/28/2011 9:10pm

It's been a long time... but I think I recall there being some videos of Yellow Bamboo trying their techniques on non-believers and failing.

**Auszi** · Posted On: 7/28/2011 11:37pm

Derren Brown - who is a skeptic and hypnotist, copies the invisible punch.

Keep in mind, he knows this is a trick. It's similar to the mind control 'brainwashing' that the no touch throw 'Masters' used to use on their students.

**danno** · Posted On: 7/29/2011 1:23am

there's always this old gem:

i'd discuss their claims, how the techniques work according to these masters, then show some footage of them like the one above when their techniques are tested against resisting opponents. it's basically what happens when magic meets science.

as a skeptic myself, i find martial arts challenges one of the most gratifying ways to debunk bullshit. if only i could disprove homeopathy by punching them in the face...

**wetware** · Posted On: 7/29/2011 1:55am

Just out of curiosity, will you be linking the "Magical Thinking" found in BS martial arts with the magical thinking found in various types of mental illness?

**stealth_monkey** · Posted On: 7/29/2011 3:29am

Originally Posted by wetware

Just out of curiosity, will you be linking the "Magical Thinking" found in BS martial arts with the magical thinking found in various types of mental illness?

I would assume not if they want a shred of plausibility to their argument