The Matrix Effect

I was watching one of the premium cable channels the other night. I viewed the "Matrix Reloaded", a second part of 3 movies by the Wachosky Brothers who are now brother and sister. The first of the series, " The Matrix ", starred Reanu Reeves. He did a nice job on the film as did the supporting cast. There was a scene where Kung Fu was being downloaded into Neo's brain. Through the world of virtual reality Neo awoke and exclaimed, 'I know Kung Fu.' Here lies the problem and what I call the Matrix Effect. Young people today are tech geeks, living in a world where computer savvy is more valued than physical development and contact. As a Sifu teaching Chinese martial arts I get to see firsthand the impact of the computer age. Truth be told, our youngest and brightest opt out for thumb exercises over all around developoment. You see, in the tech world, playing the computer game holds as much, if not more value than training hands on. So Reeves gets to look at everyone with a straight face and say, 'I know Kung Fu.'And it is believed because it is a movie and because this is very close to how folks are living their lives. There is no blowback for quitting. In fact, you are considered a mean parent if you try to press your child into completing a task or a sport. Kung Fu? Maybe someday you will be able to really say 'I know Kung Fu' without putting in all those thousands of hours that it takes to master the art. I truly hope not.