Why Keyboard Warriors and their Comments are so Dumb: a/k/a Idjits Gonna Idj – Erik Kondo

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Anyone who has ever demonstrated a self-defense technique or concept via video has been subject to critical comments coming from people who can be best described as Keyboard Warriors. These people feel they have the unique combination of knowledge and physical skill that provides them the ability to cast judgment on the effectiveness of other people’s techniques.

The most common comment from a Keyboard Warrior is some version of “that won’t work”. Usually, much more derogatory phrasing is used. What these people are really saying is “that technique wouldn’t work on me”, or “that technique wouldn’t work in the one scenario I am thinking of”.

The Keyboard Warrior watches the video and envisions himself as the “attacker”. He then imagines how easy it would be for him to vanquish the demonstrated defense. Since the Keyboard Warrior sees himself as an all powerful and a highly motivated fighter, he can’t conceive of how the demonstrated technique could actually work for other people in a scenario different than the one he envisions.

Intelligence is best defined by its synonyms – mental capacity, intellect, mind, brain(s), IQ, brainpower, judgment, reasoning, understanding, comprehension; acumen, wit, sense, insight, perception,  astuteness, intuition, acuity, cleverness, brilliance, ability; informal braininess.

Dumb also best defined by its synonyms – stupid, unintelligent, ignorant, dense, brainless, mindless, foolish, slow, dull, simple, empty-headed, stunned, vacuous, vapid, idiotic, half-baked, imbecilic.

It is the Keyboard Warrior’s inability to see why a technique would actually work coupled with his inability to articulate a reasoned explanation that shows why the Keyboard Warrior is most suited for the Dumb category.

If the Keyboard Warrior actually had intelligence, he or she would realize that a video demonstration of a technique is inherently flawed. It rarely takes into consideration context. It also makes a whole host of assumptions particular to the situation demonstrated. Many demonstrated physical self-defense techniques maybe successful against low motivated attackers and unsuccessful against highly motivated attackers. Given that the majority of predatory attackers are not highly motivated, many so called “useless” techniques actually have some value in certain situations.

For example, any attacker can choose to ignore a victim’s screaming and yelling. But screaming and yelling has been proven to be a useful defensive technique in many circumstances.

To all the Keyboard Warriors out there, please remember “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt”  – Abraham Lincoln, Mark Twain, or maybe someone else.

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