A distinction between Odds, Luck, and Skill.

To start, let me say that I dont know where Im going with this but some things on the forums have me a little agitated. So, I decided to post something about it to get it off my chest.

On the forums there are numerous posts about hypothetical situations. Multiple attackers, weapons, and nightime attacks are common themes to these posts. I like these kinds of posts. Sometimes. I like to be able to imagine whatever situation someone has dreamt up and find a safe logical approach to it. Or at least give an opinion. An opinion that is based on my experience but also based on the facts. The odds. Not everything that is experienced is a good approach to things. For example I practiced Ax kick for years when I did my TKD training but never would I suggest anyone attempt to use it in a combat situation. Thats whats bothering me. People here(some not all) often make suggestions that havent been tested. Or suggestions that worked for them one time in a situation. Just because it worked once doesnt mean that it was the best thing to do, or that it will work ever again. No one is really as good as they think they are. They're either better or far worse than the perception that they hold for themselves yet they willingly dispense knowledge that may get others hurt or give them false ideas.

I guess this is just a cry out so that people will think about what they are saying and how they are saying it. When you say things here it is available to over 11,000 people all over the world. Before you give an example from your own experience take an honest account of the event and whether it was skill or dumb luck that got you by. Be honest about your opposition. Was he good or was he average? Maybe lower? Think about whether or not you are about to get an impressionable person hurt before you suggest any old tactic to gaurd your life with.

Hi, Cory.
First, let me say that I understand you being irked. Posts that recommend a triple/backward/spinning/jumping kick as the end-all, be-all for self defense sometimes leave me wondering what comic book world the poster lives in. But that's because I'm failing to see the positive in the situation, which is this: No sooner do these posts appear than they get ripped apart by the experienced, knowledgeable folks here. And the reasons why it's getting ripped apart are fully aired and discussed. So by the time all is said and done, those that are here to learn are totally disabused of false notions about questionable techniques. Considering the amount of folks that read these forums, that's a fair number of people that got the word. So a lot of good comes from even the off the wall posts, IMO. It's just hard on your patience sometimes.

I remember back in the early days of the forum. Especially when John Kogas joined. Man we use to constantly rip on people, then we both became mods and had to grow up. I love my job here and this site but sometimes I wish I could just let it rip like I used to. None-the-less you are right about one thing: With nearly 12,000 members someone is fixing to rip on ya. 12,000. Thats ten times the membership when I first joined. I think we were around 1,100 then. 3 years later and were better than ever.

MAGon -

Spot on, brother. I wince when I read some of the questions/responses we see here, but for the most part, the other members here are quick to pounce on BS when they see it.

I actively encourage this. You and Chen (and several others) have always been ones to right other's wrongs, so to speak. I thank you and hope that the other members will follow your examples of (mostly humane ) re-education, when neccesary.

LOL I appreciate that. I've always tried to do what I can to call it as I see it. Its good to see that the Administration is all for (mostly humane) re-education.

Matt: Thank you, kind sir! And thanks for making a point with Chen before I brought it up: Yessir, we've all grown up over time. In spite of trying hard to forget that I stooped to that, I plead guilty to developing a taste for troll baiting Razwell there for a crazy week or so (*Wince* To this day I don't know what got into me!). But the fact of the matter is that we've evolved into tearing garbage theories apart, but nicely.
And that's a good thing. You can "Hate the sin" without eviscerating the "sinner" (Although I admit I miss being tickled pink when reading one of our colleague's very eloquent parting shot: "You're an idiot!" ).

Its amazing. I agree. I nearly got kicked off the site at one time for aguing with the entire site. Im also quite sure that Mr.V didnt care to much for me at the time. Since he was pretty much the only moderator. Then I became one myself and grew as a person very much. In the past three years the site has taught me very much about myself and how to deal with people as well. Now I can tell someone to go to hell in such a manner that they look forward to the trip.

Quote:

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Now I can tell someone to go to hell in such a manner that they look forward to the trip.

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I'd never heard that phrase before. I'll be sure to remember and use it!
But I still miss "You're an idiot!"