Predator vs. Affective Behavior

Affective behavior, i.e. shouting and posturing often associated with conflict and violence especially social, is about ramping up to actually take action in a conflict and/or violent situation. A predator is someone who has the ability to act without such requirements, i.e. they don’t make displays, the can look casual while having an essence that says dangerous, they tend to exude a positive relaxed way about themselves, they tend to be absorbed by the goings on while not being hindered or distracted, and there is no “Tell” or external demonstration of aggression. They don’t present any telltale signs or emanations that say they are about to attack. There is no need to “Ramp up” to take action. They show nothing, no fear, no aggression and no clues to their prey. It is a state of being the conserves energy and adrenaline for more appropriate use. 

What martial artists must attain for self-defense is a mind-state of a predator, i.e. often referred to as a professional such as police, military and other such professionals who are required to enter into harms way. It is an ability to “Turn the switch” instantaneously and without preamble to “Get-r-done.” 

This can be explained in regard to MA zanshin, mushin and other such esoteric terms in teaching, training, learning and applying martial arts in self-defense. The only “Tell” is one that is received by someone sensitive to such things and often that is two professionals who sense one another and acknowledge each other in a way that says they know, understand and respect one another then move on about there business. 

It is a state that is backed up by the willingness to act so they don’t need to act. It is an ability to apply self-defense to its fullest without telling a potential adversary anything. It is taking control of self so no one else can take control. To remain in control of oneself is to lengthen the line against adversaries. 

This is about becoming a predator without becoming a predator. It is about being ruthless, to exploit an adversary or attacker and it is about turning the tables on an animal who naturally preys on others, all others. This type of predatory mind-state is about being an animal who will prey on another predator who exploits ruthlessly others. 

It is about projecting to the predator a different kind of predatory who preys on the predator. It is about that mind-state that allows one to become a predatory while remaining within societies requirements, i.e. remaining within the self-defense square (circle). It is being predatory toward that goal, a goal of avoidance, deescalation and action if needed as well as continuation toward articulation and remaining within the legal and civil necessary lines, i.e. staying within the SD square. 


It is about being a predatory professional whose goal is to stand between others and social/asocial predation (the action of being attacked, etc.). 

Bibliography (The above post are my thoughts and mine alone, the below are simply sources that influence my thoughts on this subject):
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
Maffetone, Philip Dr. “The Maffetone Method: The Holistic, Low-stress, No-Pain Way to Exceptional Fitness.” McGraw Hill, New York. 2000

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