An Oh Shit Moment

Caveat: 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.

This article is mine and mine alone. I the author of this article assure you, the reader, that any of the opinions expressed here are my own and are a result of the way in which my meandering mind interprets a particular situation and/or concept. The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of other martial arts and/or conflict/violence professionals or authors of source materials. It should be quite obvious that the sources I used herein have not approved, endorsed, embraced, friended, liked, tweeted or authorized this article. (Everything I think and write is true, within the limits of my knowledge and understanding. Oh, and just because I wrote it and just because it sounds reasonable and just because it makes sense, does not mean it is true.) 

In these last few years of study I have had some really enlightening oh-shit moments where this light bulb goes off and something that almost everyone else knows suddenly becomes this new, great and wonderful idea and information that I just didn’t get. Reading Peyton Quinn’s book I came across a quote that I know is merely his perspective of the same thing other professional authors havc presented but I guess it just took this one to really make it across the minds natural obstacles, the quote is:

“ … anyone who interviews you before the attack (and most will) does so because he is unsure of victory. He is not as totally confident as he tries to appear. He fears potential defeat.” - Peyton Quinn, Real Fighting: Adrenaline Stress Conditioning through Scenario-Based Training. 

Granted, this is not the end all answer to such situations but regarding the “Interview” before an attack, i.e., the very next step in the five stages of violent crime - Intent, INTERVIEW, Positioning, Attack and Reaction. Understand, as I am trying to understand, when you are seen as a possible victim it is not too late because the very next step, mostly, is that sneaky little interview you “want to FAIL” so said antagonist will choose a new path leaving you all alone and safe. 

Remember the quote, if he is taking the time to test the waters you still have a change to remain mindful and aware so as to present information to your interviewer so he says to self, “Nope, not happening here, ops, there is another perspective dope to rob, attack, etc.”

Here’s the rub, it sounds so simple but if it truly were predators would have developed and implemented some other strategy and tactic to get their job done. Yet, in my simple and inexperienced way, this seems to tell us that to be aware and recognize such interviews is a lot of the battle toward avoidance of conflicts and violence, of certain types. 

Part of the tool bag is the tools for understanding and implementing both JAM and the STAGES, i.e., Jeopardy, Ability and Means along with Intent, interview, positioning, attack and reaction. Also remember that to practice these also means handling a lot of other stuff, stuff to learn and to train within the scope of the adrenal flood and situational stresses from our own minds and bodies. 

I really appreciate it that these guys who have faced such obstacles - and survived - have such a desire to pass this along to the likes of us that have not gone toward the fire so we may learn. I do believe that everyone, regardless, must embrace such knowledge if for no other reason that to understand the situations of conflict and violence outside the emotional ignorance that drives misunderstanding and the generation of such laws and ordinances that hinder rather then help. 

List of folks deserving of my and our appreciation: Marc MacYoung, Rory Miller, Lawrence A. Kane, Kris Wilder, Massad Ayoob, Daniel Coleman, Suzette Elgin, Desmond Morris, Philip Maffetone, Sanford Strong, C. R. Jahn, Peyton Quinn, Wim Demeere, Edward T. Hall, Dave Lowry, Steven J. Portman, Tristan Sutrisno, Michael Clarke, Loren W. Christensen, Terry Trahan, and the many martial artists that taught me karate … I have never met you personally but your influence has contributed a good deal of knowledge and change in my understanding and application of martial systems and self-defense, Thanks!

Primary Bibliography of Self-Defense (Some titles have RBC drills included):
MacYoung, Marc. "In the Name of Self-Defense: What It Costs. When It’s Worth It." Marc MacYoung. 2014.
Miller, Rory Sgt. "Meditations of Violence: A Comparison of Martial Arts Training & Real World Violence" YMAA Publishing. 2008.

Bibliography Articles on Self-Defense/Conflict/Violence

The main page leading to the articles I have chosen as a starting point to attain knowledge of conflict, violence and self-defense is: http://ymaa.com/articles/society-and-self-defense where you can navigate to the below or you can simply find a title below and click for direct access to the articles. Most of these are actually introductions to the references written by the authors themselves. It is advisable to start here then move on to the more in-depth stuff in their publications. This section will get you a beginning understanding necessary in phase one of learning self-defense. 

I.M.O.P. Principle—Intent, Means, Opportunity and Preclusion http://ymaa.com/articles/2014/10/imop-principle-intent-means-opportunity-and-preclusion
Introduction to Violence: Scale of Force Options http://ymaa.com/articles/introduction-to-violence-scale-of-force-options
Facing Violence: The Unconscious Stuff-Finding Your Glitches http://ymaa.com/articles/facing-violence-the-unconscious-stuff
Violence: What Everyone Needs to Know About Fighting http://ymaa.com/articles/violence-what-everyone-needs-to-know-about-fighting

Secondary Bibliography of Self-Defense (Some titles have RBC drills included):
Ayoob, Massad. “Deadly Force: Understanding Your Right to Self-Defense”Gun Digest Books. Krouse Publications. Wisconsin. 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. "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.
MacYoung, Marc. “Writing Violence #1: Getting Shot.” NNSD. Amazon Digital. 2014.
MacYoung, Marc. “Writing Violence #2: Getting Stabbed.”  NNSD. Amazon Digital. 2015.
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
Strong, Sanford. “Strong on Defense_ Survival Rules to Protect you and your Family from Crime.” Pocket Books. New York. 1996.
and more … see blog bibliography.
Jahn, C. R. “FTW Self Defense.” iUniverse. Amazon Digital Services. 2012
Jahn, C. R. “Hardcore Self Defense.” iUniverse. Amazon Digital Services. 2002.

Bibliography of RBC Drills (Some titles have RBC drills included):
MacYoung, Marc. "In the Name of Self-Defense: What It Costs. When It’s Worth It." Marc MacYoung. 2014.
MacYoung, Marc (Animal). “Taking It to the Street: Making Your Martial Art Street Effective.” Paladin Press. Boulder, Colorado. 1999.
MacYoung, Marc. "A Professional's Guide to Ending Violence Quickly: How Bouncers, Bodyguards, and Other Security Professionals Handle Ugly Situations." Paladin Press. Boulder, Colorado. 1996.
Miller, Rory. “Drills: Training for the Sudden Violence.” Amazon Digital Services, inc. Smashwords. 2011.
Quinn, Peyton. “Real Fighting: Adrenaline Stress Conditioning Through Scenario-Based Training.” Paladin Press. Amazon Digital Services, inc. 1996

My Blog Bibliography
Cornered Cat (Scratching Post): http://www.corneredcat.com/scratching-post/
Kodokan Boston: http://kodokanboston.org
Mario McKenna (Kowakan): http://www.kowakan.com
Wim Demeere’s Blog: http://www.wimsblog.com
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