In my recent interests, I have been pursuing histories, especially of unusual groups. One of these groups were the Ninja, and I had recently put on hold, at the library, The Invisible Ninja: Ancient Secrets of Surprise by Ashida Kim.
After recieving it, I read through it. I must note that, while I am not naive of the ninja's assasination abilities, I merely wanted to learn more about their philosophies, as well as generic stealth techniques, rather than combat or sneaking by in a ninja suit. This book, however, disturbed me, as it seemed more like a terrorist training manual (and this was written pre-September 11). Most sneaking techniques were benign, but for a book purporting to enhance self-defence, it contained at least one technique to kill someone with a surprise attack, as well as a technique to make sure that the victim is dead.
This disturbed me greatly, and I returned the book the next day, telling the librarians of the contents (though, to be fair, their response was reasonable, as they said that they cannot censor the book, nor can they control who reads it).
However, I was also disturbed by what I dug up about the author on Wikipedia. While you can also read the article here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashida_Kim), it was this passage that disturbed me in particular:
Wikipedia Article on Ashida Kim wrote:
Kim, in response to controversy and critics, maintains what he calls a “s**t List” on his website which states:
“We have encountered not a few individuals who, by their bad behavior as well as shabby and rude treatment of others, warrant some attention. In the first book we did on Ninjitsu, we included a Mandamus, a warning, never to steal this knowledge, lest the thief incur the wrath of our astral spies and occult guards, which are everywhere. And how true that warning is. For you and I, my friends, are those spies and guards. And now is the time to deliver our wrath. Therefore, posted on this site, shall be the names of those who have offended our most noble Brotherhood and the reasons for their dishonor, and the action we shall ask you to take against them, so that all will know how they have earned this disfavor and the justification of the penalty they have incurred.”
This list includes Wikipedia and its founder Jimbo Wales, Bullshido.net and owner Neal “Phrost” Fletcher, Paladin Press, Citadel Press, Amazon.com, and others whom Kim considers as antagonists. In the case of Wales and Fletcher, Kim has included personal information to assist people to take action against them.
That is the main reason why I was actually scared to post this on Wrong Planet. What sort of sane guy actually not only displays an enemy list, but also gives out personal info on his enemies?
_________________
(No longer a mod)
On sabbatical...
10 Feb 2007, 11:10 pm
