The Martial Brain

Jeff discusses the importance of developing the capacity for careful planning combined with skill at improvisation; both in the martial arts and in life.

Jeff discusses the concept of ‘scienciness’ and how it is used to take advantage of the scientifically illiterate, including in the martial arts.

Hyper-diffusionism is the misguided idea that ALL the world’s important cultural achievements, indeed all the world’s CULTURES came from a single particularly superior civilization and then diffused out to the rest of the world.

Jeff draws comparisons between ‘scientific literacy’ and what he terms ‘martial arts literacy.’

Jeff discusses several logical fallacies, including one that is peculiar to the martial arts.

Jeff discusses the human propensity for thinking in absolute rather than relative terms.

Jeff discusses the importance of slowing down your movements in training.

Jeff discusses the amazing interlocking, reciprocal flow drills of the Filipino martial arts.

Jeff discusses the importance of the attribute of timing in the martial arts, comedy, and in history.

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.