[imictiorume]

so than i guess we should just do it here? that way by having it in a different place than the flames section, people will be more inclined to actually discuss instead of argue.

[DoctorIrokezov]

Of course we could just start discussing a controversial question that will get everyone pumped up and ready to choke each other.

that sounds rather fun infact. but maybe it should be in the flames section if we choose to continue with it.

[grattperret]

I wonder wether the reason really is because it's fun, or wether it's fun because of some other reason?

Are there any qualities that we find to be unique in sword play (kendo specifically)? Do they contribute to why we play with swords? If so how? If not, what other reasons are there, i.e. we like hitting people?

It would be interesting to see if we can come to some type of conclusion

[aburva.org]

Probably a good idea. More people would be interested if it were in the flames section, I imagine . . . But then it would probably just degrade into flaming with no actual discussion going on. Most of the people here are mature enough to handle a discussion, I think. If not, oh well.

[Msrwbdas]

Swords are phallic symbols.

[Pateeffelty]

i agree here is the best choice, but i dunno for a new topic

[Ifroham4]

a legit discussion in the flames section is not possible....there are several trolls who will come in and turn it to a religious debate(we went there and tried that....didnt work)

[Brewpralgar]

I'm reading a book for English called "Socrates Cafe," by Christopher Phillips.

It's about having philosophical discussions with a group of people. It's a very interesting read, but I don't think it needs to be confined to places like a coffee shop, a hospital, or even a prison. Why not the internet?

I thought it might be fun to have one here.

I figured that we could throw out questions to discuss, pick one that we'd like to discuss, and then have fun deciding that we actually know absolutely nothing about the question.

To quote the book, "Examine it for 1) built in assumptions 2) embedded concepts 3) differences of kind and degree 4) logical consistences and inconsistences. Then try to seek out compelling objections and alternate viewpoints."

Exploring questions can help us better understand ourselves and the world around us.

- Matt

So, what do you propose we discuss. I'd suggest no religion or politics. Those turn into flame wars with everyone simply defending his view while ignoring the others.

[NicolasOL]

because...um...

its hard to name something thats more fun than kendo. just by stepping into the dojo, i get a sort of "high" that is even sustainable just by the thought of kendo.

i guess thats a pretty lame explanation but as shallow as it may sound, i can assure you that my love for kendo runs even deeper.

[parurorges]

To quote the book, "Examine it for 1) built in assumptions 2) embedded concepts 3) differences of kind and degree 4) logical consistences and inconsistences. Then try to seek out compelling objections and alternate viewpoints."

if you do this in any sort of debate, it builds a strong response. so instead of just doing it here, we could try it with questions presented in the real world and then post our results here also. thanks for putting the secret formula up though. haha all discussions belong to me now!!

Exploring questions can help us better understand ourselves and the world around us.

why do you think children ask so many questions?

oh and to answer your question, "why do we play with swords?"

A. because they're fun

[vodaPlaps]

Oh well. It's still good to question things . . .

[VIAGRA-]

Well, I ask you:

Why are they fun? What do you get out of them that you couldn't get out of, say, golf? I think LarsCW's proposal about all the cool movies and choreographed sword fights is something to consider about why we've latched onto swords.

Is it, as LarsCW said, due to the mythos that cultures place around the amazing swordsman and his heroic exploits? Do we want to be a master samurai like we see in the movies? Or, does it go even deeper down to our instinct to have dominance over others? Are we sating our blood lust in non-lethal ways?




Good, piggy! Question the real world. No one has made much progress by sitting around accepting what everyone told them to be true and trying nothing for themselves.

I think we should be able to talk politics and religion as well. Of course, I also think that countries should be able to settle disputes without resorting to war. There are always many people who respect others' beliefs and values, but there are also people who couldn't care less -- they just react when they percieve that their beliefs are being attacked. If, as we explore some questions, we tread into politics and religion, then we'll just see if we can have a reasonable, civil discussion.

[markkisil]

I think it should be possible to talk religiion and politics aslong as everybody would respect the other persons point of view. Being brought up in different countries/cultures doesn't mean you haven't been thought respect, cause if you look at which ever country they all seem to base things on respect. It's just another way they wanna accieve it.

Back to the question "Why do we play with swords?"

This might have to come all back to our childhood seeing these heroic movies with swordfights where the good guy kills the bad and nobody really gets hurt and such. The whole mythical haze around the sword.

Thinking about the sword I would think about Japan as they made the perfect sword there. From childhood Japan had this mystic haze, I didn't know that much about it which most likely even strengthend the feeling.

[Teligacio]

When I was a kid I always remember finding sticks and swinging them around like swords. It wasnt until I moved back to NY that I found Kendo. I always thought to myself where is there a school that teaches just the sword? Had I known about Kendo as a child I would have certainly been more than interested in studying. One night I went to the pool hall and next door was this little dojo. He had listings on the window for classes he taught and it said "Kendo(sword)". Nah, couldnt be a sword school... Long story short I went and and never turned back. Why do I love it? Its one of the few things in my life that feels so right. I need more things that feel that right in my life actually.

[UtidaBrar]

Of course we could just start discussing a controversial question that will get everyone pumped up and ready to choke each other.

[joOEMcheapSOFTWARE]

HAHAHAHA i forgot that was on there sitll.....

[Meerenuch]

PLEASE ,PLEASE No religion. that cannot and will not end well. I vote it become an autoban for three days to even bring up religious topics in this thread.........


So piggy that brings up the question, why are they fun?

[NewYorkDoctorD]

Here is the best choice, I think.

We need a new topic, though; no one seemed to really care too much about the last one.

Does anyone have any ideas? Yes, that means you. You who are reading this thread.

[SmuffNuSMaxqh]

Probably a good idea.

We could start off with something "simple" like, "Why do we like to play with swords?"

Yes, I'd prefer it if this was a DISCUSSION, not a "My point of view is better than yours! Meet me at keiko so I can prove it to you with my bokken!"

[capeAngedlelp]

Whew, during the beginning of the Iraq war, Hotei? I bet you had some crazy flame wars. I'd like to have an actual Socrates Cafe held at the borders near my home, but the atmosphere in it is just so . . . strip mall. Rush rush rush, look at this look at that, look how chic that is! Not my type of atmosphere. Religious and political fights . . . Oh well, what can anyone expect when a bunch of people of varying opinion get together? I hope we can get some interesting topics going.

I used to play with sticks all the time, too; mainly broom handles, actually. My mom never was very happy with me about that.

For me, I always wanted to be a great warrior; defeat the evil villain in an awesome showdown, save the damsel and distress and live happily ever after, etc. What I wanted was to do something great, and with honor and chivalry and, above all of course, good manners. Swords usually have represented honor and the doing of great things to me. I used to love the idea of being a dashing knight. Then read up on some knightly doings and wasn't so enamored with them.

A few years back, though, I began to become very interested in the history of asia. The culture of feudal Japan has always seemed so amazing to me; it's completely unlike anything I experience today. While reading up on it I became interested in eastern thinking, and through that other ways of thinking.

My question is: do swords represent something greater than ourselves to us? I see many things in life as a form of art, and pitting your skill and mind against someone else is like a beautiful dance. Do we seek a kind of beauty and harmony through the sword? Greatness? So, is it that we want to achieve greatness through the sword?

I consider swords to be a way to express my feelings. they can be saving, or can be condemning; they can protect, or destroy. A sword to me is a reflection of self. What you do with it represents who you are.

Well, not necessarily just a phallic symbol, eh? Could be a variety of symbols.