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Jeff continues his three part treatment of skepticism, both in the martial arts and in the rest of life. In this episode he discusses how we know what we know.
Podcast: The Martial Brain
The Martial Brain Podcast covers topics relating to the intersection between the martial arts, science, critical thinking, scientific skepticism, and that wacky organ that floats between our ears.
85 The Power of Doubt Part 1
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Skepticism is a lifelong search for the truth through the learning and use of critical thinking skills and the scientific method, COMBINED with a profound sense of humility through the realization that the very instrument you are using to help pursue the truth, your imperfect brain, is plagued with weaknesses that litter the path to truth like landmines.
84 Stupid Chi Tricks Revealed Part 2
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Jeff deconstructs the old ‘chi’ demonstration of ‘the UN-bendable elbow.’
83 The Big Student Bias
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Jeff discusses the biases inflicted on large people who train in the martial arts.
82 Child’s Play
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Jeff discusses the pitfalls of seeking martial arts instruction for very young children.
81 One or Two Degrees of Dan Inosanto Part 4
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Jeff concludes his discussion of all the amazing people whose paths have crossed with that of his teacher, Dan Inosanto.
80 One or Two Degrees of Dan Inosanto Part 3
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Jeff continues his description of the amazing people who his teacher has taught, been taught by, or known.
79 One or Two Degrees of Dan Inosanto Part 2
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Jeff continues his description of the phenomenal people whose lives have intersected that of his teacher.
78 One or Two Degrees of Dan Inosanto Part 1
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Jeff discusses the many phenomenal people who have touched the life of his teacher and mentor, Dan Inosanto.
77 My Sensei is Better Than Your Sensei!
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Jeff discusses the ubiquitous phenomenon of martial arts politics.
76 Howdy Pardner!
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Jeff discusses hints for becoming a better martial arts training partner.
75 There Ain’t No Such Thing as a Free Sample
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Jeff discusses the pros and cons of martial arts sports competition, and the importance of understanding sample size when analyzing and interpreting data.
74 Weird Tales of the Rising Phoenix Martial Arts Academy 3
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Jeff relates a new set of stories of quirky characters he has encountered in this career teaching the martial arts.
73 Oh No! Not the Cruel Sensei!
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Jeff discusses the variety of personalities and teaching styles among martial arts instructors.
72 Taking a Stance on Martial Arts Stances
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Jeff discusses the role of stances in the martial arts.
71 We Don’t Fight Like That Around Here!
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Jeff discusses the influence that cultural taboos have had on the martial arts.
70 Any Port in a Storm
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Jeff discusses a concept common among a wide variety of martial arts styles; positions where you can find a moment of order in the chaos of combat.
69 Them is Fightin’ Words!
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Jeff discusses common words and phrases from English that have their origins in combat and the martial arts. Some of them may surprise you.
68 Taking Down the Dragon
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Jeff discusses the many problems he has with the Bruce Lee ‘biopic’ “Dragon, the Bruce Lee Story.”
67 Martial Jocks Vs. Martial Nerds
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Jeff discusses the spectrum which is straddled by the intellectually bound and physically bound martial arts students.
66 For Worse or Better
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Jeff discusses the problems of using your own brain to assess your progress as a martial artist.
65 Respect My Authority!
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Jeff discusses the importance of discipline and respect in the martial arts, AND the importance of being able to perceive the difference between form and substance of discipline and respect.
64 Stupid Chi Tricks Revealed-Part 1
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Jeff discusses how the martial arts demonstration trick called “The Unliftable Man” is done. Hint; there is no magic involved.
63 We Have Met the Enemy and He is Us!
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Jeff discusses the importance of stress management as a means to live a long life as a modern human, and the importance of the martial arts as a means to do so.
62 I Don’t Think You Appreciate the Gravity of the Situation-Part 2
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Jeff continues the discussion from Episode 57 on the subject of fighting outside of Earth’s gravity. In this episode he covers fighting on the Moon, an asteroid, in zero gravity, and on exoplanet Kepler 438-B.
61 The Sweet Taste of Emotional Candy
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Jeff discusses and offers tips for dealing with the instructor’s dilemma of striking the right balance between repetition of old material and the introduction of new material.
60 The Arrow of Time
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Jeff discusses time management as it applies to the martial arts and life.
56 Honor in the Martial Arts
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Jeff discusses the definitions of honor throughout history and in a number of cultures, and how honor relates to how a modern martial artist should behave.
59 The Misanthropic Principle
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Jeff takes a new slant on the ridiculousness of racism, sexism, and homophobia.
58 The Mathematics of Not Falling Down
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Jeff discusses the physics of keeping your balance, when stationary or moving.
57 I Don’t Think You Understand the Gravity of the Situation!
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Jeff discusses the implications of trying to fight on Mars.
54 The Price of Cruelty
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Jeff discusses the negative aspects of humanity’s failure to recognize the positive contribution of nerds.
53 If You Know What’s Good For You!
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Jeff discusses nutrition, toxicity, and the dose response.
52 The Evolution of the Martial Human
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Jeff describes the relationship between human physical and cultural evolution, and the martial arts.
51 Building Your Grappling Game
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Jeff shares his philosophy on the most efficient path to an effective grappling game.
50 Weird Tales of the Rising Phoenix Martial Arts Academy Part 2
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This is the second episode in a series of stories of Jeff’s encounters with weird and eccentric characters during his martial arts career.
49 Play is the Thing
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Jeff discusses the importance of a balance of work and play in martial arts training.
48 Hacking Away at the Unessential is Essential
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Jeff discusses the logistics of building a martial arts game, constructing training schedules, and feeding horses in enemy territory.
47 Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc
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This is another in a series of episodes describing logical fallacies that humans commonly employ. Post hoc, ergo propter hoc is the fallacy that if event 2 happens after event 1, it was CAUSED by event 1. Jeff ties this in with the martial arts.
46 But Mommy, I WANT There to be a Santa Claus!
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Jeff discusses the cognitive bias known as “motivated reasoning”. He uses the gi vs. no-gi grappling debate to illustrate his points.
45 Weird Tales of the Rising Phoenix Martial Arts Academy
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Jeff shares stories of strange and bizarre encounters from his decades of history of dealing with people interested in the martial arts.
44 Can Rocky Beat Rambo?
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Jeff discusses the peculiar human trait of hierarchical thinking and how it applies to the martial arts.
43 The Dunning-Kruger Effect
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Jeff discusses the being humble in the face of our ignorance.
42 Martial Arts, or Martial Science?
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Jeff discusses one way in which your creative skills can be applied to the problems that arise when quirky humans practice the martial arts.
41 The Dark Side of Genius
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Jeff discusses the potential negative features of humans with genetic gifts.
38 The Tao of the Perfect Collision
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Jeff discusses the physics of collisions as it relates to what happens when a martial artist executes striking techniques.
40 The Five Levels of Commitment
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Jeff discusses five levels of commitment in striking, and how selecting the right level for the job at hand enhances your fighting outcome.
39 A More Precise Take on Precision Striking
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Jeff discusses how to enhance the effectiveness of your striking by focusing on five factors that lend precision to your strike.
37 This Technique Always Works!
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Jeff discusses the cognitive bias known as “Confirmation Bias” and how it relates to the martial arts.
36 I’d Give My Right Arm to be Ambidextrous!
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Jeff discusses the pros and cons of “training both sides”.