(Approx 2 minute 10 second read)

I have been practicing and teaching karate for over 50 years now, and I frequently share my experiences and thoughts through these articles.
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At times, I encounter individuals who persistently seek answers, stating the same question on several different articles and messaging me privately, yet they refuse to accept any new information, often insisting that “no one knows”.
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I don’t think this is unique to the martial arts and having been an instructor outside of the martial arts as well, I can explain by several psychological factors which may be of interest.
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The first, which I am sure many of you have heard of, is confirmation bias. It is the tendency to favor information that confirms your preexisting beliefs or values.
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In the martial arts, practitioners might have deeply ingrained beliefs about techniques, history, or philosophies. But when presented with information that contradicts these beliefs, they might dismiss it in favor of their own views.
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Next along the list of possible reasons, is cognitive dissonance. This occurs when people experience unease from holding conflicting beliefs or receiving new information that challenges their existing views. To reduce this feeling, they may reject the new information rather than thinking about changing their beliefs.
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For many, the martial arts are not just practice but a significant part of their identity. Admitting they were wrong can feel like a personal attack on their ego and self-esteem.
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Trust also plays a crucial role in accepting information. If the commenter distrusts the source, even the most accurate and factual answers can be dismissed. Trying to build credibility and trust is important, but it can be challenging if there is inherent skepticism. At the end of the day, no one knows me from Adam (see what I did there? It’s my name! Okay, never mind).
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Of course there are some individuals who just enjoy creating controversy for its own sake. They might reject the different information not because they disbelieve it, but because they enjoy the argument.
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The anonymity and lack of face-to-face interaction makes the person making the comment feel courageous.
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Many of the concepts in the martial arts might be difficult for some to grasp. Everyone can get to grips with a technique, but understanding the principle behind it, not so much. If a practitioner doesn’t fully understand the explanations, they might dismiss the information as incorrect or unknowable.
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People can be really attached to certain ideas or beliefs too. How many people still view kata as totally ineffective?
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While it can be frustrating to deal with these individuals sometimes, it’s often best to disengage from these unproductive conversations. The ‘Delete Key’ is often the preferred option and if that doesn’t work, then my favorite misunderstood word can be brought into the process; “Block”.
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In my opinion, our time is precious and finite. It is far more rewarding to invest our energy in those who are eager to learn and enhance their understanding of the martial arts, rather than waste it on unproductive arguments with those who refuse to accept different and sometimes beneficial information.
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“The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don’t know.” – Albert Einstein