I was pointed to the following two Youtube videos by a science blog I occasionally read (link). You may have come across movie depictions of certain martial artists who appear to have mystical powers: the ability to achieve a mental state in which seemingly impossible feats are possible, huge leaps, defying gravity, etc. Apparently there are those who think these things are true, and are willing to put their bodies on line to test their beliefs, with regrettable results.
The first video shows a martial arts master who apparently believes that he can toughen his skin to the point of resisting the blade of a keenly sharpened sword. It's not terribly graphic, but a bit disturbing nonetheless. Patience, it's a few minutes long.
Video 1 (5 minutes)
The second is just sad, and a bit more graphic. This is a Kiai master who believes (with the help of a few of his apparently willing students) that he can execute some serious whoop ass on his opponents without even having to touch any of them. He then offers a $5000 dollar challenge to face a real MMA fighter (ala UCF), and literally gets his hind-end handed to him. It's not awful, but it looks like a younger, stronger man beating on an older weaker, and unfortunately deluded one. After the first punch, the guy looks like he's never seen his own blood before, and he doesn't know quite what to make of it.
Video 2 (3.5 minutes)
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