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.

Humans are Reactive

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


There are two kinds of human species, first is the majority who are reactive. Reactive meaning they tend to react to whomever exhibits the strongest of emotions so if one in a group begins to get aggressive and angry in all likelihood the others will follow suit soon thereafter unless another person circumvents the first in some way like through deescalation of said emotions. Second, are the minority who are predatory therefore tend to deliberately set a certain emotional mood that achieves a certain agenda or objective. You see this in the few who show up at demonstrations, etc., whose sole purpose is to trigger or infect the entire group with aggressive and violent emotional moods that will infect and spread like the virus. 


We all react to the emotions of the group because nature intends we do that as a part of our survival as a species. This is made very difficult in these more modern times so one who takes the time to recognize this, take appropriate actions to understand then learn how to handle it are often the one's who can deescalate things back to normal or handle those who would subvert a peaceful honest and responsible protest/demonstration into something not good. 


A good example is this small group of guys at an office who were getting rowdy when one of their girlfriends shows up. The girlfriend and boyfriend get a bit amorous and go to a back empty room. The guy, whose an asshole anyway, comes out and meets the group in the hall and tells them to go have some fun. Now, with testerone and other factors of emotional immaturity were infecting them all except one. The one stood up and took control and deescalated this volatile situation so he could go back and escort the young lady out to her car. Sadly, she didn't really understand until they passed by the group where she detected things were wrong, suddenly it dawned on her what it was and began to get upset and cry all the way out to her car where she immediately took off for more safe harbors. 


Sometimes even one who gets infected if they have the right mind-state, the right training and the right thing can shift their reaction away from that kind of influence and move into a more appropriate, safe and secure way of doing things along with a strong enough personality and character to take the heat down a notch and shift others into a path less - damaging. 


This is what I learned through the less physical research and study of self-protection for self-defense and that is how you learn to handle the volatility of such times as the Covid-19 times where demonstrations, emotions and moods are easily fueled, inflamed and out of control. 


We can't help being reactive, its nature's way to ensure the survivability of our species even in these more modern times. We can help how we react regardless of the influences of others who may or may not have the group and its agenda in mind and that takes character, discipline and honor to do and where to we attain that is often in the dojo, assuming there is that kind of philosophy. 


This is how traditional studies and practices, especially in a dojo, can provide the type of training, practice, knowledge and understanding to stand out in the crowd as someone of character who can influence the group or crowd in a positive and productive way. 


For reference and sources and professionals go here: Bibliography (Click the link)

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