Profile of a Real-Life Jedi Academy

She's your sister .. by roguegramma · 2012-03-10 23:11 · Score: 4, Funny

Well, because of that.

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Hey don't blame me, IANAB

Re:She's your sister .. by Aryden · 2012-03-10 23:12 · Score: 4, Funny

Master the force and you can have sex with all the hotties you want... Why do you think the dark side is so damned popular?
Re:She's your sister .. by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-10 23:42 · Score: 4, Funny

Force? At least in L.A. they call it "roofies"...
Re:She's your sister .. by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-11 04:03 · Score: 5, Funny

These people will not be having sex anytime in the forseeable future. They also won't be able to levitate, control objects with their mind, brainwash storm troopers, or shoot lightning. What we have here is a lose-lose situation.

Expected market demand by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-10 23:15 · Score: 3, Interesting

What is the expected market demand for Jedi Knights? Can I take out a federal loan to pay my tuition fees?

Re:Expected market demand by maroberts · 2012-03-10 23:29 · Score: 2

What is the expected market demand for Jedi Knights? Can I take out a federal loan to pay my tuition fees?
I would suspect that demand will be high, assuming that at by 'graduation' you genuinely had all the powers of a Jedi knight (light or dark). Maybe the army would pay tuition fees to promising graduates in return for a term of service....
There are plenty of opportunites for special ops mercenaries which the Jedi could easily fulfil. Why call Delta Force or the SAS/SBS when you could hire a Jedi Graduate?

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Re:Expected market demand by Mannfred · 2012-03-10 23:58 · Score: 4, Interesting

The expected market demand for Jedi Knights is probably marginally less than the expected market demand for philosophers in general - yet this doesn't stop people from studying philosophy for misc reasons.
However, in this case it seems like the primary goal is simply to provide exercise/dance classes with a bit of a Sci-Fi/philo twist (Sci-Phi?), and there's definitively a market demand for fitness courses/instructors. If this niche inspires a few couch potatoes to exercise more than they otherwise would, why not?
Re:Expected market demand by metlin · 2012-03-11 13:37 · Score: 4, Insightful

Do not mock philosophy. It provides a framework for understanding how the human mind works and establishes the roots behind our social, political, and economic norms.
Simple things such as what constitutes human rights or morality are much more complex than you'd imagine (e.g. consider Michael J. Perry's view: Are human rights ineliminably religious, or is there a secular version of human rights that uphold our existence with the same amount of dignity and sanctity?). The answers to such questions play a role in a lot of things (e.g. the UN Charter of Human Rights, the Geneva Convention, creation and interpretation of laws etc).
And speaking of laws, what about justice? If it fairness, or is it deterrence, or both? Where does one draw the line? Where do ethics come in? Can you legislate ethics? Why, or why not? For instance, try reading John Rawl's Theory of Justice one of these days, and you will not look at law the same way ever again.
Most people who've studied philosophy (that I know of) are doing quite well, having gone on to work in law, anthropology, sociology, or even economics (e.g. Amartya Sen was awarded the Nobel memorial prize in economics for bringing a moral and ethical worldview to an otherwise transactional dominion). Having taken graduate classes in philosophy, I can guarantee you that philosophy requires good reading and writing comprehension, logical and analytical skills, and an ability for independent thought. In contrast, I am not exactly sure what skills being a "Jedi" knight from a fictional movie grant you.
Re:Expected market demand by toriver · 2012-03-12 01:09 · Score: 2

Ignoring the source for a moment, it has all the hallmarks of a pantheistic religion. After all, how many of the religions we "accept" otherwise are just as made up, except so many years have passed that we no longer know who the authors were?
America has already been the "origin" of three religions: Mormonism (John Smith), Scientology (L. Ron Hubbard) and MBAism (the belief that there is a "leadership" force that lets you act as a manager in any industry), why not add the Force to that list?

Sounds like a geek friendly exercise environment by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-10 23:28 · Score: 2, Insightful

I know this looks like a joke, but dance & martial arts disguised as a game would do everyone good.
I've been a couch potato for most of my life, and now that I'm regularly training I've both healthier and happier.
The difficulty is finding a venue where it's not meat heads posing in front of mirrors and hitting on girls.
Personally I find Kettlebell training to be a non-posing good environment.

Zen by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-10 23:36 · Score: 2, Interesting

I always thought of Jedis being more of a Japanese Zen type of thing - not that it makes much of a difference in Buddhism. The differences in Buddhist traditions are just cultural; such as how the Buddha looks and the decorations of the temples and meditation halls and whether they chant more, and meditation posture - little things that really don't matter. The practice and the teachings are identical and orthopraxy over orthodoxy. I know a few Buddhists who based on their schedule will go to different meditation halls of differing traditions.

Once when I had to address the sangha, I start off with, "If reincarnation existed ..."

That's like saying in church, "If God exists ..."

No one batted an eye. Been going ever since. And no, I still think reincarnation doesn't exist. Read too much Michael Shermer.

Re:Zen by Spy+Handler · 2012-03-10 23:57 · Score: 3, Informative

if you read too much Michael Shermer, why do you keep going to a temple? You should become James Randi's pupil or something.
BTW there are more than just superficial cultural differences between Buddhism sects. For instance you have the ones that still believe it's possible to achieve enlightenment -- including recall and mastery over your past lives -- through your own study and efforts. Then you have the other kind that that gave up -- they're basically praying for Buddha's second coming so that he will take you to the pure land (since you can't find your own way).
The former is not really a religion, more like a philosophy and a set of instructions (which is what Buddhism originally was). The latter is closer to modern religions such as Christianity and Islam.
Re:Zen by Kupfernigk · 2012-03-11 00:01 · Score: 4, Interesting

I'm not sure about this. Zen has a long tradition of challenging established ideas and substituting direct experience. As a Quaker I feel a strong affinity to Zen. The Quaker experience of testimony in meetings is very similar to the Zen requirement not to say anything till you have something of Zen to say. The Tea Ceremony is as pared down as a Quaker Meeting. On the other hand, the affinity between, say, the Roman Catholic Church and Tibetan Buddhism must immediately strike anyone who has ever studied any sociology of religion.
Zen is an anti-religion which tells us first to train, and then to trust, our instincts. (Excellent programmers and engineers, I feel, often follow Zen practice in this. Mahayana Buddhism appeals to orthodoxy in its custom and practice. The superficial similarities cover a very, very different outlook.
Typical of Zen: the teacher who delivered a lecture on the Arhats which began "The Arhats are like a dirty lavatory (meaning that the truth had been obscured by layers of rubbish applied over the years) and the other one who delivered a lecture which consisted of, in effect "The truth is all around you, open your eyes and look at it."
So: "Jedis", which are a synthetic construct (but then so are the beliefs of the Catholic Church, the Mormons and the Jehovah's Witnesses) possibly do borrow more in outlook from Zen. But so, actually, does particle physics. Javascript: The Good Parts is a pretty Zen book. So, while I'm in this vein, is Buehler's Backyard Boatbuilding, surely one of the best project management manuals for very small teams ever written.
As for reincarnation, you can view the Buddha's teaching as telling people that the existing religions and their insistence on reincarnation were nonsense. Realising that this is the only life we have and that following the Eightfold Path is the way to make the best of it - is part of enlightenment.

--
From scarped cliff or quarried stone she cries "A thousand types are gone, I care for nothing, no not one."
Re:Zen by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-11 00:27 · Score: 2, Interesting

if you read too much Michael Shermer, why do you keep going to a temple? You should become James Randi's pupil or something.
Because when you take the supernatural stuff as metaphor, there are some valuable lessons in it.
And it has really helped my concentration, emotional well being and they have the best Chinese vegetarian food ever!

Then you have the other kind that that gave up -- they're basically praying for Buddha's second coming so that he will take you to the pure land (since you can't find your own way).
I have heard folks say similar things - then the Abbess corrects them. At least where I go, they are very careful to correct non-Buddhist beliefs; including hammering in that we're not worshiping the Buddha.

Did he find his stolen lightsaber? by Giorgio+Maone · 2012-03-10 23:45 · Score: 3, Informative

Is he the same "Jedi Master" who allowed is lightsaber to be stolen??

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Re:Did he find his stolen lightsaber? by digitalderbs · 2012-03-11 01:23 · Score: 3, Insightful

Yes, and according to this article, that lightsaber cost $700, which answers his question from the first article, "why would someone steal a lightsaber?" -- because, apparently, someone is willing to pay $100-$5000 for one (or lift one from a bar that is being passed around.......)
Re:Did he find his stolen lightsaber? by Nugoo · 2012-03-11 02:22 · Score: 4, Funny

Given how often Jedi lose their lightsabers in the movies, that only reinforces his authenticity.

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Re:Did he find his stolen lightsaber? by oldmac31310 · 2012-03-12 05:50 · Score: 2

Funny that. I was accused of stealing someone's lightsaber last halloween. I swear, it wasn't me that time either!

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Does anyone find it strange by Compaqt · 2012-03-10 23:50 · Score: 4, Interesting

that, while on the one hand, many geeks find religion to be illogical, superstitious, and ill-founded

on the other hand,

many geeks are enamored of the religion of a bunch of characters in the mind of George Lucas in a galaxy far, far away?

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Re:Does anyone find it strange by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-11 00:07 · Score: 2, Insightful

First of all I think this article and your post falls into the trap of conflating 'geeks' and 'nerds'. If you made a real working lightsaber you would be a geek. Being into Star Wars so much you call yourself a jedi just makes you a nerd.
That said, the fact that nerds and geeks run the gamut from strictly rational to absurdly spiritual is not at all suprising. They're people, just like everyone else.
Re:Does anyone find it strange by SuricouRaven · 2012-03-11 00:10 · Score: 4, Insightful

That's because they know the religion isn't serious. It's a game. There may be one or two crazy people who believe the force is real, but really real-world Jedi is just a combination of LARPing and themed costume events.

If one of those one or two crazy people came out as actually believing the force is real and they could achieve telekinetic powers with enough training, you can be sure their fellow Jedi would swiftly try to talk them out of it. Then mock them. Then kick them out the club as a dangerous embarassment.
Re:Does anyone find it strange by loufoque · 2012-03-11 02:18 · Score: 2

It's more of a philosophy than a religion.
Plus geeks always secretly found asian religions interesting.
Re:Does anyone find it strange by Hatta · 2012-03-11 02:50 · Score: 4, Insightful

How is that different from any religion?

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Re:Does anyone find it strange by SecurityGuy · 2012-03-11 03:50 · Score: 2

There's a video on youtube of a "kiai master" fighting an MMA fighter. Guy believes he can make woo-woo noises and wave at people and beat them up. There's a lengthy bit where he's doing this, presumably at his school, where everyone else also drank the cool aid. THEY are defeated by his woo-woo noises and hand waving. The real life MMA fighter is predictably undeterred by woo-woo and hand waving and beats the snot of out the "master" in about 10 seconds.
I hope the guy retired. Dangerous fraud, not dangerous embarrassment. Just look at how many people he had snowed into believing this nonsense. Yes, they were gullible fools, too.
Re:Does anyone find it strange by Sqr(twg) · 2012-03-11 05:24 · Score: 4, Insightful

Because in that fictinoal universe, the religion is not illogical, superstitious, or ill-founded. It actually works.
If Christians could turn water into wine for real, I'd be a Christian.
And drunk!

Re:Why not just have sex? by Dogtanian · 2012-03-11 00:03 · Score: 4, Informative

Ha ha.... even *I* saw this story and thought..... "NERDS!!!!!!!!!!"

Er, maybe not in that voice though ;-)

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No. by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-11 00:09 · Score: 2, Insightful

Because the Jedi "religion" offers a way of life and a fantasy of super powers that is made of other geeks that if you were to ask them seriously, wouldn't hesitate to say that their "religion" is in all fun. Deep down they're rational. It's a way of belonging because traditional religions just don't cut it anymore: they're primitive.

Other religions, especially Christian Fundamentalism, are more concerned with believing the "right way". Put 10 Christians in a room and you'll get 11 different versions of Christianity. "You have to act like Jesus to be saved!"

"No, you have to believe in Him ONLY to be saved! Acting like Him doesn't cut it!"

And so on and so on.

Then there is the complete kookiness of the Evangelicals/Christian Fundies. Here's their version of God:

He is someone out there; up in Heaven.
He knows when you are Good or Evil.
He rewards or punishes you accordingly.
He answers prayers.

Sounds like Santa Claus to me.

And they have the arrogance and conceit to think they actually know what God wants and what He thinks.

You can't get anymore blasphemous than that.

Sage advice by multimediavt · 2012-03-11 00:11 · Score: 5, Informative

“Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid.”

- Han Solo

Re:Sage advice by Spy+Handler · 2012-03-11 00:40 · Score: 5, Insightful

yeah, and look what happened to him. Got his blaster whipped out of his hands, tortured and cryogenically frozen.
Re:Sage advice by jackbird · 2012-03-11 01:12 · Score: 5, Funny

Luke getting the girl would have been... awkward.
Of course Lucas could have decided to have more than 1 female in the galaxy without tentacles coming out of her head.
Re:Sage advice by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-11 01:51 · Score: 3, Informative

** SPOILER ALERT **
If you plan to read the books about what happen after episode 6, skip this message.
Han was cryogenified, good. But then he kills Darth Sidious (definitively, this time) with his blaster, some years after episode 6.
Darth Sidious is one of the few powerful force users to die stupidly (three times), unlike most others who die honorably in a lightsaber fight.
** END OF ALERT **
Blaster may be basic, primitive, etc, they did the job lightsabers couldn't do many times.
(PS : sorry for my english, not my native language, and for AC post (will eventually signup... one day))

Re:Why not just have sex? by peragrin · 2012-03-11 00:14 · Score: 3, Insightful

Considering the 3 of the main religions on earth(christianity, islam, and judaism) all treat women as second class citizens, give them no real role in said religion and force them to be ashamed of themselves for even existing it is indeed amazing at all the religion even allows sex.

seriously the only difference in their treatment of women is how much "modesty" they expect women to show.

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i thought once I was found, but it was only a dream.

Re:Why not just have sex? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-11 00:21 · Score: 4, Informative

Considering the 3 of the main religions on earth(christianity, islam, and judaism) all treat women as second class citizens, give them no real role in said religion and force them to be ashamed of themselves for even existing it is indeed amazing at all the religion even allows sex.

seriously the only difference in their treatment of women is how much "modesty" they expect women to show.

If religion doesn't allow sex, it dies off. The goal of the religion is control - the elite priesthood have a direct hotline to god and control it's practioners including their sexuality. Degrading women and controling who they procreate with while simultaneously making them feel like shit about getting any pleasure from the act or for that matter having boobs and arse and a cunt is just one of the many charming modus operandi used. It's not like men are allowed to fuck who they want with impunity either, but since the women have the babies he who controls the pussy controls the population..

No, not really. by EnsilZah · 2012-03-11 00:31 · Score: 4, Insightful

The difference here is that the vast majority of those people are aware that the characters and workings of that world are fictional.
I don't really see a problem with someone being inspired by fiction, be it Naruto or Charles Dickens or Jesus for that matter, just as long as they don't try to impose it on others and seek privileged status.

Well, I can, actually by Kupfernigk · 2012-03-11 00:51 · Score: 4, Insightful

Listen friend

Interestingly to me, Quakers (who call one another "Friend") do sometimes use the term as a kind of passive aggression as you do here.

The short answer is that I can and do deny that reincarnation is fundamental to Buddhism. Fundamental to Buddhism is that by right thinking and right practices we can be freed from our illusions about the world, and when we become free we see that there is no afterlife and no reincarnation, and can therefore be free of suffering. I think you are confusing certain versions of Buddhism with the teachings of the Buddha. The exact same with Christianity: You can be a fundamentalist as, sadly, so many Americans seem to be, and absorb the whole mythos and optionally the post-Roman accretions or the Protestant obsessions with complicated sin and justification. Or you can believe that Jesus was a great prophet and that his teachings can be the basis of an ethical belief system that helps people to live well - which fits the world picture of a lot of Episcopalians, Unitarians and Quakers.

As (as I note above) a Quaker and a Zen Buddhist, I think your thinking is in exactly the silo that led to that observation "The Arhats are like a dirty lavatory". You think that the accidental is fundamental.

--
From scarped cliff or quarried stone she cries "A thousand types are gone, I care for nothing, no not one."

Re:Well, I can, actually by CRCulver · 2012-03-11 03:14 · Score: 2

Fundamental to Buddhism is that by right thinking and right practices we can be freed from our illusions about the world, and when we become free we see that there is no afterlife and no reincarnation, and can therefore be free of suffering. I think you are confusing certain versions of Buddhism with the teachings of the Buddha.

The very earliest attestations of Buddhism, well before the accretion of most of the mythos around the Buddha, is clear that suffering and samsara (the cycle of rebirths) are one and the same, and that the end of suffering and nirvana (the end of the cycle of rebirths) are one and the same. Nowhere in the canon did Buddha claim there is no cycle of rebirth. If you want to guess that Buddha taught exactly a way of life palatable to contemporary skeptics and this message was immediately corrupted before textual transmission, that's your right, but at least admit it's a guess.

But his website was designed by a Sith. by Qbertino · 2012-03-11 01:17 · Score: 2

His website is truly the handywork of an especially evil sith.
I wouldn't trust this Jedi whom apparently enjoys inflicting pain simply by publishing stuff online.
Watch out for the dark side, would be my advice ... traitor!

--
We suffer more in our imagination than in reality. - Seneca

I'll be honest.. by jmb1990 · 2012-03-11 01:58 · Score: 2

I find this retarded.

Re:I'll be honest.. by SecurityGuy · 2012-03-11 03:14 · Score: 2

So do I, and I don't understand why the parent got modded down. There is no "real life Jedi academy". Come on, we've all seen the movies. They're from a universe where there IS this thing called "the force" that some people can learn to control and do freakishly amazing things with. It doesn't exist here. You can't learn to use it here. They also master this sword-like weapon that paradoxically cuts through anything but itself. That also doesn't exist here. You can't learn how to use it.
I'll be honest, too, if this WAS real I'd sign up in a second...but it's not. It's a bunch of grown ups play acting because they liked a movie universe. It is NOT a real life Jedi academy. You can call it LARP or cosplay or probably half a dozen things. It could even be an acting school if it wants. It's not training Jedi.

Correction by hey! · 2012-03-11 02:58 · Score: 4, Insightful

The title should read: "Profile of a Real-Life Make-Believe Jedi Academy".

Compare this to the make-believe real-life Jedi Academy portrayed in the prequel movies. Getting the order of the adjectives right makes a big difference.

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Post may contain irony: discontinue use if experiencing mood swings, nausea or elevated blood pressure.

This is so stupid. by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-11 03:26 · Score: 2, Informative

The Jedi religion is based on the teachings of Taoist Neigong.

There are real schools that really do teach how to work with the force. Learning how to dance and pursue vispasina or any number of other newage BS practices aren't among them.

See this video:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoOgZsQGQpA

from a bbc documentary on a real Taoist neigong master who never charged any student a dime, nor any person he healed, nor accepted donations. After this video aired he retired and is training as a recluse.

Re:Why not just have sex? by ukemike · 2012-03-11 05:39 · Score: 4, Informative

Considering the 3 of the main religions on earth(christianity, islam, and judaism)

Whoa! Dude your facts are a bit off. Judaism doesn't even make the top ten!

Christianity: 2.1 billion
Islam: 1.5 billion
Secular/Nonreligious/Agnostic/Atheist: 1.1 billion
Hinduism: 900 million
Chinese traditional religion: 394 million
Buddhism: 376 million
primal-indigenous: 300 million
African Traditional & Diasporic: 100 million
Sikhism: 23 million
Juche: 19 million
Spiritism: 15 million
Judaism: 14 million

from adherents.com

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-- QED

Re:Why not just have sex? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-11 09:00 · Score: 2, Interesting

Secular/Nonreligious/Agnostic/Atheist: 1.1 billion

I see your point, but calling Atheism a religion is the same as calling "not collecting stamps" a hobby.

Re:It's good enough by LordLucless · 2012-03-11 09:24 · Score: 2

And 'Jedi' is now a legal religion in the UK, if I am not mistaken.

You are. A hoax went around about a decade ago, saying that if sufficient people marked "Jedi" as their religion on the census, they'd have to acknowledge it as an official religion. But it was, well, a hoax. They have to do no such thing.

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Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean there isn't an invisible demon about to eat your face

Re:Why not just have sex? by maestroX · 2012-03-11 09:37 · Score: 2

Christianity: 2.1 billion Islam: 1.5 billion Secular/Nonreligious/Agnostic/Atheist: 1.1 billion

Pastafarianism: 3.

Re:Why not just have sex? by DigiShaman · 2012-03-11 10:15 · Score: 2

Did you ever stop and think about why this biased behavior against women exists in the first place?

At the very core, human beings are still animals. Sexual dimorphism proves that. Men fight over and protect the women that are theirs. First and foremost, to ensure proper child rearing. The big three religions are about men agreeing upon who has what wife. It also provides social stability for women to know they have a single man to count on. Without such rules, nature without established morality would force men into war over this precious genetic resource. Even at our best, we still fight over women. Our art, music, entertainment, and overall culture is based on sexuality in one form or another. Men, by nature, are the dominant sex of our species. Lack of religion also leads to promiscuity which leads into question who is the father of a child. Historically, entire villages, women and children specifically have been wiped out over such feuds.

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Life is not for the lazy.

Re:Why not just have sex? by grolschie · 2012-03-11 11:02 · Score: 2

Hey, don't knock "not collecting stamps". It's a great passtime.

Public Service Announcement by TangoMargarine · 2012-03-11 15:45 · Score: 3, Informative

The plural of "Jedi" is "Jedi," not "Jedis."

Thank you.

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Re:It's good enough by tehcyder · 2012-03-11 22:21 · Score: 3, Insightful

I just looked up "SCA heavy fighting". Jesus tittyfucking Christ there are some nutjobs in the world.

It puts this story of fellow retards into a bit of perspective though. If I'd read about it in a book by Neil Stephenson, I would have admired the bold satire, never dreaming it could actually be true.

--
To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it

Re:It's good enough by gknoy · 2012-03-12 07:18 · Score: 3, Interesting

Not only that, some of the fighters in the SCA are very interested in studying historical swordplay. I have friends in Caid (southern California) who have been studying unarmored combat from historical manuals -- the style is very different from what's historically accurate technique for fighting in heavy armor. (Which, contrary to what one might expect, mainly was a lot of grapping in order to secure an opportunity to pierce the unarmored or weakly armored portions of the enemy's coverage -- armpits, groins, necks, etc.)

Pretty cool stuff if you're interested in historical fighting.

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