“I want to learn some self-defense moves!” What self-defense instructor has not heard that request? When an instructor teaches a student a physical self-defense “Move” (or technique), he or she is engaging in problem solving. The instructor is providing the student with a theoretical solution to a future problem. This situation is analogous to … [Read more…]
…something I have been trying to get people to understand is there ARE differences. Very important differences. Starting with who can be treated with, compromised with (reliably), who is over the sanity horizon, who is harmless and who you might have to shoot in the face. Although I include that last option, I’m … [Read more…]
In combatives, you’ll hear people talk about the principles of a system, or principles-based training. That’s fine and dandy right up until you ask a senior practitioner exactly what those principles are. If you’re lucky, you’ll get crickets. If not, you’ll get the normal word salad of someone who has been pinned down in … [Read more…]
I use Maslow’s pyramid in a lot of my books and classes. Not because it’s great science, there are holes in it you can drive a truck through. I use it partially because it has great predictive power, but mostly because it is so common and universally accepted (which is not the same as ‘understood’) … [Read more…]
Got to watch an interesting specimen. In retrospect, I’ve seen them before, quite a lot actually. But this one was blatant enough to draw attention. Attention brings analysis. Have to unpack the language here, and talk about a couple of categories and some background concepts. Creepers are low-level sexual predators. The kind that harass and … [Read more…]
Simple question, not so simple answer. The human body ‘moves’ certain ways. Like a suit of armour there are certain ‘weaknesses’ in how things are put together. There are key ‘spots’ that have to be flexible and that move in certain ways. If you armor these spots you exchange mobility for protection. If you … [Read more…]
It’s a little more complicated than that. Example A: You’re 30 and want to wear a Sailor Moon shirt at a comic book convention? Go ahead. Wearing it in the courtroom or a boardroom meeting? Not-so-much. Example B: There’s a joke “A vegan, a Crossfitter and an athiest walk into a bar. Within two … [Read more…]
My stance on violence is … complicated. Starting with a conversation I had decades ago with a friend. Him – “I’m a pacifist. I’m just not non-violent” Me – laughing. Him -“I’m serious. I honestly believe violence doesn’t solve anything. But sometimes you have to use it.” Technically speaking he’s right. Violence doesn’t ‘solve’ problems. … [Read more…]
I was asked the eternal question. Well okay, so it’s not really eternal, but — because I talk so much about negotiation and compromise — I get asked it A LOT. “How do you negotiate with such people?” Such people are the bullies, temper tantrum throwers and “NO COMPROMISE!” idealists (read, pain in the … [Read more…]
If we divide types of groups into individualistic, socio-centric and divine we get three different ways to organize things. Individualistic is the group exists to serve the needs of the individual. The needs of the group come second to the rights of the individual. Very Humanistic this philosophy and it works when basic needs are … [Read more…]