# The Age of Open Source Information

- Link: https://brianejohns.com/2022/05/04/blog-the-age-of-open-source-information/
- Published: 2022-05-04T11:30:00-04:00
- Author: Brian Johns

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

In the old days, martial arts grandmasters taught only certain “secrets” of their
art to their most trusted students. In other words, one trained for years to gain
entry into the “inner circle” of trusted students. And only then would you learn
the “deadly secrets” from the grandmaster. Until then, those “secrets” were closely
guarded.

There is a parallel with closely guarded “[secrets](https://brianejohns.com/2021/03/01/blog-there-are-no-fucking-secrets/)”
in the world outside of martial arts. For instance, there has been a noticeable 
shift in national intelligence. In the old days, state secrets were highly guarded.
During the Cold War, the CIA and the KGB expended enormous efforts to steal each
other’s secrets. In addition, both agencies did everything they could to prevent
the other side from infiltrating them and absconding with state or military secrets.

![Letters spelling out CIA](https://i0.wp.com/brianejohns.com/wp-content/uploads/
2022/04/CIA.png?resize=560%2C315&ssl=1)

## For the most part, those days are long gone.

Thanks mainly to the Internet, we are now in the “_Age of Open Source Information.”
_With time and resources, anyone can uncover any “secret.” Most often, they are 
hiding in plain sight. In recent years, open-source intelligence (OSINT) has become
a thing. Bellingcat has been prominent in the open-source intelligence community_,_
producing excellent reports backed up by data and sources. One can read any number
of reports produced on their [website](https://www.bellingcat.com/).

For example, Bellingcat could discern the identity of FSB security agents in Moscow
recently due to a massive leak from Yandex, a popular food delivery service in Russia.
Think UberEats. Long story short, FSB and GRU agents would place an order to be 
delivered to their offices. By cross-referencing different data sets, Bellingcat
uncovered the identities of several FSB, GRU, and military agents, all through open-
source information. [Read the whole thing](https://www.bellingcat.com/news/rest-of-world/2022/04/01/food-delivery-leak-unmasks-russian-security-agents/).
This work is made more accessible by the rampant corruption in Russia, often by 
purchasing hacked data from Russian hackers. Anybody can purchase virtually any 
data for the right price. The bottom line is that anybody can find “secrets” online.

## So it is with “secrets” in martial arts.

Caveat: Learning from video is not comparable to training with a Grandmaster or 
Master. The focus of this post is the availability of information in today’s world.

[The amount of information available, both free and otherwise, is staggering](https://brianejohns.com/2025/05/01/private-lessons-and-big-data-turning-sticks-into-trendlines/).
I believe that the notion that there are “secrets” is essentially a thing of the
past. The data is readily available. Video platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram,
Vimeo, Gumroad, and others have many martial arts-related videos that one can peruse
for hours. Even [blogs](https://brianejohns.com/2015/03/17/blog-six-ways-to-practice-your-cane-anyos/)
are packed with information! For example, I once posted on [Archie Moore’s famous cross-guard](https://brianejohns.com/2020/01/13/blog-archie-moore/)
defence. It’s all out there! Heck, I made an [appearance on cable tv](https://brianejohns.com/2012/03/30/blog-modern-arnis-on-rogers-cable/)
once!

Additionally, one can seek instruction from a master and attend seminars or weekend
camps to further your knowledge.

For instance, let’s focus on kata in the post-World War II era. Many know American
and Canadian WW II servicemen brought karate back to North America. Karate schools
increased in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Nearly all required students to learn kata.
In addition, none of them had any knowledge of kata applications. For many years,
karate students performed kata as a dance of sorts. Indeed, many North American 
karate instructors never learned kata applications from their Okinawan masters due
to cultural reasons.

That changed in the 1980s. Depending on who you ask, various folks started teaching
the “secrets” of kata. This is, more or less, in line with the zeitgeist of moving
away from the era of highly guarded secrets.

## Today?

There is nearly unlimited access to kata applications that were once “secret.” In
this age of “open source information,” one can attend seminars and camps, purchase
videos, browse YouTube or read blogs to learn more about kata applications. Books
on kata are available as well.

Here’s an example:

If you are not able to view this video, click [here](https://youtu.be/qlAqo2xDsWQ).

Speaking for myself, I enjoy Kata application videos quite a bit. I find a lot of
overlap between kata applications and Filipino Martial Arts. Indeed, the late Professor
Remy Presas often stressed the importance of “_making the connections_” between 
different martial arts styles.

Check out my video below as an example of “making the connections.” Side note: Have
ten years gone by that quickly? Jeebus. Anyway, do you see the similarities in the
above video between Iain’s techniques and my slap-off/pull-off drill?

If you are not able to view this video, click [here](https://youtu.be/GkfpV9WjPWw).

Back to my original point, information is readily available on any martial topic.
Tae Kwon Do sparring tips? You can find it on YouTube! Are you a Balintawak student
looking to improve your art? Attend a seminar or check out YouTube. There are no
secrets! The information is all out there.

## In summary, due to the age of “open source information,” the notion of “secrets” is bunk. We are very lucky to be training in this era!

## Additional Reading

 * [There Are No Fucking Secrets!](https://brianejohns.com/2021/03/01/blog-there-are-no-fucking-secrets/)
 * [The Rise of the Hostility Era](https://brianejohns.com/2023/01/09/rise-of-the-hostility-era/)
 * [Archie Moore’s Crossed Guard](https://brianejohns.com/2020/01/13/blog-archie-moore/)
 * [Modern Arnis on Rogers Cable!](https://brianejohns.com/2012/03/30/blog-modern-arnis-on-rogers-cable/)
 * [Six Ways To Practice Your Cane Anyos](https://brianejohns.com/2015/03/17/blog-six-ways-to-practice-your-cane-anyos/)

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