Please take a look at Articles on self-defense/conflict/violence for introductions to the references found in the bibliography page.

Please take a look at my bibliography if you do not see a proper reference to a post.

Please take a look at my Notable Quotes

Hey, Attention on Deck!

Hey, NOTHING here is PERSONAL, get over it - Teach Me and I will Learn!


When you begin to feel like you are a tough guy, a warrior, a master of the martial arts or that you have lived a tough life, just take a moment and get some perspective with the following:


I've stopped knives that were coming to disembowel me

I've clawed for my gun while bullets ripped past me

I've dodged as someone tried to put an ax in my skull

I've fought screaming steel and left rubber on the road to avoid death

I've clawed broken glass out of my body after their opening attack failed

I've spit blood and body parts and broke strangle holds before gouging eyes

I've charged into fires, fought through blizzards and run from tornados

I've survived being hunted by gangs, killers and contract killers

The streets were my home, I hunted in the night and was hunted in turn


Please don't brag to me that you're a survivor because someone hit you. And don't tell me how 'tough' you are because of your training. As much as I've been through I know people who have survived much, much worse. - Marc MacYoung

WARNING, CAVEAT AND NOTE

The postings on this blog are my interpretation of readings, studies and experiences therefore errors and omissions are mine and mine alone. The content surrounding the extracts of books, see bibliography on this blog site, are also mine and mine alone therefore errors and omissions are also mine and mine alone and therefore why I highly recommended one read, study, research and fact find the material for clarity. My effort here is self-clarity toward a fuller understanding of the subject matter. See the bibliography for information on the books. Please make note that this article/post is my personal analysis of the subject and the information used was chosen or picked by me. It is not an analysis piece because it lacks complete and comprehensive research, it was not adequately and completely investigated and it is not balanced, i.e., it is my personal view without the views of others including subject experts, etc. Look at this as “Infotainment rather then expert research.” This is an opinion/editorial article/post meant to persuade the reader to think, decide and accept or reject my premise. It is an attempt to cause change or reinforce attitudes, beliefs and values as they apply to martial arts and/or self-defense. It is merely a commentary on the subject in the particular article presented.


Note: I will endevor to provide a bibliography and italicize any direct quotes from the materials I use for this blog. If there are mistakes, errors, and/or omissions, I take full responsibility for them as they are mine and mine alone. If you find any mistakes, errors, and/or omissions please comment and let me know along with the correct information and/or sources.



“What you are reading right now is a blog. It’s written and posted by me, because I want to. I get no financial remuneration for writing it. I don’t have to meet anyone’s criteria in order to post it. Not only I don’t have an employer or publisher, but I’m not even constrained by having to please an audience. If people won’t like it, they won’t read it, but I won’t lose anything by it. Provided I don’t break any laws (libel, incitement to violence, etc.), I can post whatever I want. This means that I can write openly and honestly, however controversial my opinions may be. It also means that I could write total bullshit; there is no quality control. I could be biased. I could be insane. I could be trolling. … not all sources are equivalent, and all sources have their pros and cons. These needs to be taken into account when evaluating information, and all information should be evaluated.” - God’s Bastard, Sourcing Sources (this applies to this and other blogs by me as well; if you follow the idea's, advice or information you are on your own, don't come crying to me, it is all on you do do the work to make sure it works for you!)



“You should prepare yourself to dedicate at least five or six years to your training and practice to understand the philosophy and physiokinetics of martial arts and karate so that you can understand the true spirit of everything and dedicate your mind, body and spirit to the discipline of the art.” - cejames (note: you are on your own, make sure you get expert hands-on guidance in all things martial and self-defense)



“All I say is by way of discourse, and nothing by way of advice. I should not speak so boldly if it were my due to be believed.” - Montaigne


I am not a leading authority on any one discipline that I write about and teach, it is my hope and wish that with all the subjects I have studied it provides me an advantage point that I offer in as clear and cohesive writings as possible in introducing the matters in my materials. I hope to serve as one who inspires direction in the practitioner so they can go on to discover greater teachers and professionals that will build on this fundamental foundation. Find the authorities and synthesize a wholehearted and holistic concept, perception and belief that will not drive your practices but rather inspire them to evolve, grow and prosper. My efforts are born of those who are more experienced and knowledgable than I. I hope you find that path! See the bibliography I provide for an initial list of experts, professionals and masters of the subjects.

As for Combat, Fighting, and Self-Defense: Interchangeable Terms? Or are they?

First, combat and combatives are more in line with the military system of hand-to-hand. Where I come into an issue is the actual “New” combative martial arts instituted within the military, i.e. with my focus toward MCMAP, they seem to have adopted the more sportive aspects rather than true combatives that most can get through the more ancient videos of the older WWII era military teachings. Regardless, the effort “Should” be about those skills necessary to “Kill the enemy.” Even so, because of all the political and civilian pressures due to ignorance to war our military are stlll handicapped by “Rules” that non-combatants and nonmilitary bleeding heart type civilians don’t, won’t and never will fully understand the need for separation of combat from politics and civilian influences. Still, combatives are about military hand-to-hand killing goals.

Second, Fighting is just that, fighting. Look at it as social type violence or what I sometimes refer to as “School Yard Scuffles.” It is that stomping, yelling, spitting and finally the over handed round about punch or the bumping of chests to fist-t-cuffs social type stuff and sometimes the out and out blitz attacks one might have to encounter when the monkey dance begins. This is not about predatory stuff as those often can be about you getting put into the hospital or funeral home by doing inappropriate actions exposing you to violence. 

CAVEAT: Fighting is also a part of the realm of self-defense. Yes, it is, but only when you leave the self-defense square/circle and end up fighting. Know this, “FIGHTING IS ILLEGAL!” If you leave and enter into the fighting arena you are breaking the law. Well, when I say this sometimes others will say, “What about tournaments and competitions - that is fighting!” Well, yes it is but it is what they call sanctioned fighting and its allowed by law under controlled circumstances (Emphasis on controlled circumstances mine) BUT when you take it out of those controlled circumstances then it is illegal. Even the fighting or sparring we do in dojo’s are “Controlled circumstances” and allowed. (Note: I often wonder, if sparring gets out of hand and turns into violence would or could that be looked upon by legal systems as illegal thus open to legal actions?)

Self-defense is about combating unwanted violence against you, yourself, your body, etc. It can be about the safety and security of others under certain circumstances but know that those circumstances are very, very narrow. Often, the legal system assumes that you DO NOT HAVE THE DUTY TO ACT in violent situations when it comes to others, etc. The best way to convey the complexities of SD is to read the over four hundred page book (I am working on its study for the third read through as I write) by Marc MacYoung titled, “In the Name of Self-Defense.” 

Note: there are others that should be read and studied if you are about self-defense. Not combatives or fighting but self-defense because combatives and fighting are illegal. 

Finally, where I have issues as stated in this original post is, “ … these terms can actually impact how we conceptualize our opponent and how we subsequently conceptualize our training … “ and I agree wholeheartedly about this because the “Distinction is critical” especially when you begin to articulate what it is you do when accounting for your actions with legal authorities. This is why reading the books for SD practitioners and especially teachers it absolutely “CRITICAL!”

You have to remember that everything you do, say and believe will have affects on your articulations when dealing with legal and civil issues. Even the advertisements to your dojo will be brought up in those situations against your claim of self-defense. What you articulate in posts like these also will be exposed to legal scrutiny and used as well. The killer death techniques taught in your training will also be exposed so it warrants careful consideration when you write, speak and act both in life and in the training hall. 

Bibliography:
MacYoung, Marc. "In the Name of Self-Defense: What It Costs. When It’s Worth It." Marc MacYoung. 2014.
Goleman, Daniel. "Emotional Intelligence: 10th Anniversary Edition [Kindle Edition]." Bantam. January 11, 2012.
Miller, Rory. "ConCom: Conflict Communications A New Paradigm in Conscious Communication." Amazon Digital Services, Inc. 2014. 
Miller, Rory and Kane, Lawrence A. "Scaling Force: Dynamic Decision-making under Threat of Violence." YMAA Publisher. New Hampshire. 2012
Miller, Rory. "Force Decisions: A Citizen's Guide." YMAA Publications. NH. 2012.
Miller, Rory Sgt. "Meditations of Violence: A Comparison of Martial Arts Training & Real World Violence" YMAA Publishing. 2008.
Miller, Rory Sgt. "Facing Violence: Preparing for the Unexpected." YMAA Publishing. 2011.
Elgin, Suzette Haden, Ph.D. "More on the Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense." Prentice Hall. New Jersey. 1983.
Elgin, Suzette. "The Last Word on the Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense" Barnes & Noble. 1995
Morris, Desmond. “Manwatching: A Field Guide to Human Behavior.” Harry N. Abrams. April 1979.
Elgin, Suzette. "The Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense" Barnes & Noble. 1993.

Elgin, Suzette. "The Gentle Art of Written Self-Defense" MJF Books. 1997
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