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.

The Master Persuader

Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)

Generally speaking to the definition, a persuader is "a person who persuades someone to do something." It is an ability for a person to compel submission or obedience toward some goal be it a resource, often seen in sales work, or a process, often about getting folks to do something willingly and as if they wanted to do it but just needed a nudge in the right direction, etc.

A good persuader uses compliance principles of influence. Through, simplistically speaking, a set of influence principles they can suggest, think of hypnosis, something to people that convinces them to do or take or purchase that something. Using influence principles, "reciprocity, commitment and consistency, social proof (consensus), authority, liking (ever wonder why some social venues find the "Like button" of value) and scarcity."

Another methodology that provides the same intent and objective is called the "Monroe System." Master Persuaders use such methodologies to literally persuade through suggestions, etc., do to or say or accept some idea, theory, process, or belief, etc., to lead folks toward a certain overall objective. 

Dr. Robert B. Cialdini (PhD) lists them as (from his book titled, “Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion”):

Reciprocity. Think of this as “You scratch my back; I'll scratch yours.” ... Simply put, people are obliged to give back to others the form of a behavior, gift, or service that they have received first
Commitment and Consistency. Everyone has a self-image — a way of thinking of themselves. ... People like to be consistent with the things they have previously said or done.
Social Proof (Consensus). The idea of social proof is already quite common in the online world. ... Especially when they are uncertain, people will look to the actions and behaviors of others to determine their own.
Authority. ... This is the idea that people follow the lead of credible, knowledgeable experts.
Liking. ... People prefer to say yes to those that they like.
Scarcity. Simply put, people want more of those things they can have less of.


Principles that guide our human behavior, six universal principles of persuasion/influence.

Encourage their dreams;
justify their failures;
allay their fears;
confirm their suspicions; 
help them throw rocks at their enemies.

People will do anything for those who encourage their dreams, justify their failures, allay their fears, confirm their suspicions and help them throw rocks at their enemies. 

I advocate that if your program is about self-protection (called self-defense) that to become proficient in the entire self-defense world you learn to become a Master Persuader. Not only will that benefit if you have to use your physical skills but will benefit you greatly in the process of “deescalation of aggression and violence” as well as help you succeed in those other survival skills such as in business, the work you do to earn a living - in short your very survival skills. 

Note: A great source on the art of master persuasion is at the Scott Adams blog, he has been writing about this art form for a lot of years and even has books out on the subject, both resources and his own books. 
Note: The persuader teaches the persuaded that their interest coincide.
Note: To persuade others to accept our position or approach.

To Persuade Effectively (an example to inspire further research):

Actively Listen: You have to listen and learn about others before you can persuade them. You have to understand their beliefs, opinions and concerns to persuade. You listen actively to understand their concerns and possible disagreements to persuade them then you use this opportunity to either modify or at least empathize with their concerns. 

Cooperation over Competitiveness: Don't create and foster a competitive environment. Don't make the process adversarial. Look for ways to foster a cooperative atmosphere. Get individuals and groups to work together, create a synergistic environment. Look to create a collaborative attitude in all concerned parties. 

Be a Strategic Thinker: Help folks to understand the why before they agree on the how. Link your persuasive idea to the strategy and vision of the folks you are going to persuade to understand the big picture along with pro's, tradeoff's and con's. Help them "see" the idea, process or resource as a benefit, help and something to achieve their objectives, goals, and beliefs. 

Inspire, Don't Push: Pushing is a negative and often triggers resistance and resentment, not conducive to persuasion. Inspire and motivate others to want to commit to your persuasive attitude, character and personality. Create excitement and energy in others toward enlisting them in your objective for persuasion. Help others to WANT to make changes; WANT to take action rather than "HAVING" to do either. 

Inspire by Being Open-Minded: The best of the best remain open-minded realizing that people will change over time and then show how those changes will impact them and their objectives, goals and desires. Remain open to ideas, theories and possibilities. Thank others for disagreements, opinions and conveyed differences as this is a process of persuasive change. 

Resolve Conflicts, don't Create Conflicts: Become a friend to the critic, engage and guide toward healthy debate that may eventually modify one's positions and provide ideas that may bring those who disagree to ones' position. 

This is how one can begin to understand the Master Persuader Methodologies along with the influence principles which is covered in the start of this chapter. This is how we learn to avoid and deescalate, especially aggressions and possible violence. It is making the sacrifices and letting go of egoistic processes to achieve goals that in self-protection is allowing others to save face, to provide them a means to achieve a face saving out and then allow them to walk away satisfied that their status and position both in their mind and the mind of others is intact (simplistically speaking as example). 



Bibliography (Click the link)

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