Have you noticed

[Dave Jones]

But most of the participants in those forums do not even do martial arts.  They just watch it and wear the Tap Out shirts. 

Nice!

[KajuJKDFighter]

The classic Tapout shirt...while eating Doritos....

[Dave Jones]

The classic Tapout shirt...while eating Doritos....

Sounds like we have all met that guy, Prof. Bono.   


Make that... "those guys..."

[KajuJKDFighter]

It's good for a giggle....I have tons of Martial arts shirts but they are from Kaju or JKD school either I'm affiliated with or I respect...but that's me....

[Dave Jones]

Same here, sir.

Like I tell my Krew:  "Remember: To Tapout means you lost..."

[Ron Baker]

Being a moderator or adviser on a few other martial arts forums and some hunting & fishing forums, I know the problem is not unique to the Cafe.  All of the forums have had a down turn in participation over the last few years.  Some moderate, some severe. 
Like Sifu Dave points out, many people now spend most of their internet time on Facebook or Twitter.  If your on Facebook, you know how much time people spend on it.  You see what they are eating for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  You see where they are at any particular time of the day.  These social sites give everyone the ability to have their own forum, that they can control, and limit to a small group of friends and family, or the world.  It also allows them to have groups of like minded people, and business/organization pages.  I predict that free social pages like Facebook may end up replacing all of the websites that are not owned by major companies. 
At this time the Cafe is equal or better in participation as most of the other martial arts forums I see around the web now days.  Even though posts are down, the Cafe still averages around 8700 page views a day.  So many people are still reading, even though they are not logging in and posting.   About the only martial arts forums doing well are some of the MMA forums.  But most of the participants in those forums do not even do martial arts.  They just watch it and wear the Tap Out shirts. 
   

The thing about Facebook and other social sites, is that they're very personal and clique-like.  Some use it as their business website, which is a good use.  Still, the common purpose is either personal or as a sole business or group.

People still want to share information, knowledge, etc. outside of their own circles.  The Cafe was not only a good repository for Kajukenbo information and knowledge, it was supposed to be a central hub for Kajukenbo--all of Kajukenbo I'm assuming.  Facebook, Twitter, Instagram--for all that they are and do--are convenient excuses for a decline in interest in the Cafe.

Ironically those social sites are examples of new, fresh, relevant and constantly evolving content. 

[John Bishop]

Over the years I keep hearing things like: " I don't like the Cafe", "the Cafe's great", " the Cafe does this", "the Cafe doesn't do that".  The Cafe is not anything other then a cyber place where individuals can talk to each other, post events, etc. 
Everything on the Cafe is posted by someone.  It doesn't appear from some cyber being know as the Cafe.  If you don't agree with their opinion, why is it the Cafe's fault, instead of the individual's?  Every single view and opinion posted comes from some individual member, not the Cafe.  In life we all have people we encounter that we either like or don't like.  We spend time with the one's we like, and avoid the one we don't.  Very few people take the attitude that there's something wrong with "Life" because you encounter some people you disagree with or don't like. 
If you want to see something posted on the Cafe, post it.  If you don't have the knowledge on the topic, ask someone who does.  The Cafe provides the opportunity to discuss topics and events, but it's up to the members to participate.  If you have a problem with something you read on the Cafe, your problem is with the person who wrote it, not the board it was written on. 
   

[curry]

Hello all, I find the cafe a great source of information, it's a kajukenbo connection for me. As there are no schools over here in the uk . It's nice to log in and see the names of
People I used to train with back in California, I am great up the site exists. Respectfully, Phil curry

[envisiontj]

I have also noticed this, in fact, I had just mentioned it to my wife like a week ago.  I personally login most every day just to keep up on news, events, etc.

For me, there are a few reasons I see for people/me not posting or being as active.  This is a great place for family to get together and share and have discussions.  As previously stated, the “debating” can get out of hand.  A good discussion is always a great thing, but there really is no need for debating.  I, personally, also get frustrated by the lack of respect shown by various members at times.  The fact is, there are those that put in many more years of work in our great Art than others.  Whether people like it or not, there is a hierarchy.  This isn’t to say that senior practitioners should abuse this position, but those in lower position should show the appropriate respect for those above them and NOT “DEBATE” with them.  It is fine to disagree with someone, regardless of rank, status, age, etc, BUT, this disagreement should be voiced in a manner of respect and as a discussion.  When I see a 2nd, 3rd, 4th degree, etc speaking up against/about a GM/Professor and showing disrespect it really frustrates me.  The whole new age cr*p of everyone being equal and able to speak however they want to whoever they want is just bull.  Way too many keyboard warriors out there, and more are logging into our site.

Again, we should not just blindly agree with anyone, BUT, show some respect when you disagree.  How does this get fixed?  Well, for me, it is about showing that same respect as an example and teaching my students to recognize this and to maintain respect.

Just my thoughts, which I am sure some won’t agree with, but I really don’t care.

[Rev. Brian Henderson]

Thank you for that wisdom Sigung.  I agree with it and teach it to my students as well.

[KajuJKDFighter]

Prof Bishop and Sigung Trent I agree with you guys...though I do think many people in the world blame life on what happens instead of who did it...sometimes themselves....but of course that's just how it is...
Respect should be earned but of course...if I know someone earned their higher rank I give them the benefit of the doubt more then I would a yellow belt telling me a spinning heel kick beats a straight right...joking there...you can gain alot of knowledge just by listening.

I see that in my field being a DC for over 25 yrs....i used to be the young guy at the seminars now I may not be but if there is someone with 40 yrs in I ask questions or just listen.

 I did private lessons with GGM Gaylord for the his last 10 yrs...we would put a few yrs in training...then always sit for about the same amount of time and talk...I learned alot by keeping my mouth shut...stuff I still use daily....

[Rick Kingi]

Wow I forgot what GM Grey Harper ask on the first post I had to go back and see what the question was LOL, I love the cafe and if you don't want anyone to disagree with you don't post it. I understand that when someone reads the post and either agree or disagree with  the topic that fine if you know what you are talking about, but I have posted one thing as others have a saw it take off to something else that was not a part of the orginal post it just goes off in a another direction. I hope to see many more post of the CAFE and thanks to all that have something to say I hope to see everyobne in Hawaii Oct 10-13 for the KSDIHQ tournament and seminar this year...tournament will be back home where the roots came from  (PALAMA SETTLEMENT)    for more information contact  GM Clearnece Luna Emperado at 808/239-8600 or Prof Donald Crummer at 808/372-6730. 

[Iakona]

There is a lot of good reference info on the cafe. I would challenge the moderators to manage their individual sections by revisiting topics and breathing some life in them by adding any new info, revisions, updates, etc.  to keep it going in the lull between the disagreements/debate/discussion, which are entertaining as well. That way the moderator can control the direction of the thread from getting sidetracked. That's what I tried to do with the general techniques section. Just a suggestion. Alohas.

[Ghost Rider]

This is the most action a post has had here in a while.
Good to see you posting Professor Bono

[KajuJKDFighter]

GM Greg sorry been MIA a little 2 yr old and 1 yr old....GT