Episode 23 - Light Saber Combat, Martial Arts and Academia - Interview with Dr. Ben Judkins

There is a short introduction in Hebrew. English speakers can skip to 2:00, when the interview starts. 2:00 - Introduction and how Ben started writing on martial arts. 7:35 - What does your research on martial arts concern beyond the religious/historical aspect? 11:40 - Do you focus mostly on "traditional" martial arts? 14:25 - Do you practice martial arts? Do you have any other personal connection to the arts? 19:15 - Anthropological research on light saber combat and a discussion on its academic significance. 26:45 - Links to papers on light sabre combat and distinction in the purpose of martial arts in the modern world - comparing the social function of liminal (traditional) and liminoid (hyper-real) martial arts. 27:30 - What is a martial arts? 30:00 - About the idea of invented traditions. 31:30 - Are there different systems and styles of light saber combat? 35:20 - What is the profile of the light saber combat practitioner? 43:45 - About the blog Kung-Fu Tea **link** 49:45 - About cooperation in the blog. 53:20 - What are your future plans? Additional link -  Ben's book on the social history of Wing Chun and the Southern Chinese martial arts (note the publisher has posted a chapter that you can read for free on-line).