James and Jess talk about the idea of a Philosopher Swordsman, which is tied to the ideas of Solar arts (versus Martial arts). We largely decide that it is related to creating and using a framework of concepts and then applying that broadly. As some might say: there is only one Art.The movement link that James mentions: https://youtube.com/shorts/w5_TiBIUkko?feature=share----A desire line is formed from many people over time choosing not to walk the paved paths, but instead go the way that seems most expedient to them. they are typically formed when planners don't account for real human behavior.------About us!James is the founder and principal instructor of the Goliath Historical Fencing Academy. He began fencing in 2009, after being inspired by the film Reclaiming The Blade. At Goliath, he instructs several weapons systems including longsword, rapier, dagger, unarmed combat, quarterstaff and halberd. He has taught at private seminars at major fencing events in Europe and Canada as well as across the US. ----Jess Finley has had a sword in her hand for the past twenty years. Her initial interest was in stage combat, but not too long after beginning that pursuit began to ask "... but how did they really fight?" From that question, she branched out to German Medieval Martial Arts after being accepted as a student by Christian Tobler, who remains her mentor to this day. She is the head instructor at Ritterkunst Turnhalle in Lawrence, Kansas. She has taught and competed internationally as well as private intensives at her home. She also has a background studying Judo under the tutelage of Arden Cowherd of Topeka Judo Club.She is a published author, having written a book entitled "Medieval Wrestling" on the fifteenth century Master Ott's wrestling treatise of German wrestling techniques.. She also researches medieval clothing construction and fabric armor, and has presented her findings at the International Congress on Medieval Studies at Kalamazoo and published an article in Medieval Clothing and Textiles (Boydell and Brewer) on her study of a 15th century quilted armor.Jess's Patreon is http://www.patreon.com/jessfinley#hema #longsword #martialarts