Kung Fu Hustle

[Don H]

"Kung Fu Hustle", a Chinese (HK) martial arts comedy, currently showing in
cinemas, is great entertainment.
But what is the rather mystical power supposedly acquired by "masters" of
Kung Fu? How to explain it in "scientific" terms? Of course, the movie has
natural human agility supplemented by computer-generated special effects - a
tribute to scientific technology.
However, maybe the power of kung fu can be summed up, thus:
(a) self-confidence - without which you'll never get anywhere (and in the
movie, ultimate hero, Sing, initially lacks this);
(b) discipline and emotional energy (again Sing lacks this quality at first;
until the "chi flow" is released;
(c) tactical skills - which may be learned from a manual, but need lots of
practice; unless you are "a natural", which is one in a million;
(d) altruistic motivation - you might want to be member of a criminal gang,
but only when your motives are good and for beneficial purposes (helping the
oppressed) are you invincible.
Well, that's how I see it. If you enjoy this movie, don't miss its
comical predecessor, by same director and star, Stephen Chow - entitled
"Shaolin Soccer". (Currently out on DVD).

[Don H]

Post by Don H
"Kung Fu Hustle", a Chinese (HK) martial arts comedy, currently showing in
cinemas, is great entertainment.
But what is the rather mystical power supposedly acquired by "masters" of
Kung Fu? How to explain it in "scientific" terms? Of course, the movie
has natural human agility supplemented by computer-generated special
effects - a tribute to scientific technology.

I have not seen the movie you mentioned but as a kid we used to have
"medicine shows" which toured the villages and cities of Malaysia. Many of
these shows employed the services of kung fu practitioners to help draw

the

crowds.
From what little I know about kung fu over the years, kung fu "tricks" are
very similar to firewalking.
Somehow the mind is able to "toughen up" the skin to withstand cuts and
stabs and blows. This is the "firewalking" bit.
Balancing on a carton of eggs is simply a matter of understanding the
structural design (?) of an egg. .
I dunno how a person can withstand the efforts of 10 persons trying to

push

him over, though but I suspect it is also thru an understanding of physics
I dunno one selects which brick in a stack of 8-10 bricks can be broken by
striking the top brick with the palm of the hand but I think it is

probably

thru the application of physics as well.

# Yes, all interesting phenomena which might be investigated. Lying on a
bed of nails might seem horrible - but not if there are lots of nails, all
of same height, so your weight is evenly distributed.
The human brain is disproportionately large compared with the rest of the
body, and hence psychosomatic power can have either beneficial or
deleterious influence. "Faith healing" probably works this way - it is the
*belief* that you can be cured (not God or whatever) which has the effect,
psychosomatically, and may result in a cure. Same with Indian fakirs, and
Kung Fu experts; mental power is a key factor. Conversely, bodily state can
affect the mind - physical illness causing change in mental outlook.
"Kung Fu Hustle", the movie, has a mixture of action, comedy, pathos,
romance - see the formidable landlady of Pig Sty Alley (cigarette hanging
from mouth; hair in curlers) as she tackles the evil Axe Gang. A violent
film, but funny.