Good points, Jim. Actually, part of Bruce Lee's adage is applicable and part of it is not. The reasons behind his adage were:
1) Back when "styles" of martial science were very specific to schools and families, one could train against the doctrine of a specific style or family method and have the "antidote" to that "style" - not applicable to our situation...
and 2) one first learned all of the rules of all of the styles and then used the techniques as one wished in a skilled fashion without a specific doctrine in order to be most effective in application (Bruce's ideal of the best "style"). This one is applicable to our discussion and shoot holes in the mistaken tack taken by many - that "rules" are not important in such things as art. It's a vaccuous idea.
Kind regards,
Andy Rutledge
b u n j i n | d e s i g n ::
www.bunjindesign.com
zonen 8, Texas