Overlooked Self-Defense Elements

Here's my review for each parts:

- Part 1 is good, although it probably doesn't cover the whole of awareness. I learned a lot about awareness on McYoung's website. Since this is a short post, you can't cover it all, but I would definitively link to his site. Especially the page on fringe areas. Maybe carjacking as well. And the tips on avoidance, which is a lot about awareness.

- Part 2: I like the parts about the classical view of the "chicken". The part about "being right" is great too.

- Part 3: Great! I've tried to read the Conflict Communication website, but never found the time and motivation to. Your version is shorter, and I feel pretty good and accurate still.

- Part 4: One important thing, as you talk about giving options, is to mention to leave an exit to your opponent. If the only exit they have includes them losing face, they probably won't take it. Miller mentions how many people get hurt because they can't refrain from throwing a slashing one-liner at a retreating attacker...

- Part 5: Reading it, it looks like there's a part where you basically start a rant against bullsh*t self-defense instructors. I agree with you, they are actually dangerous, but is the following paragraph really teaching people about self-defense, and thus required in your article?

"The people who understand this fact need to call out those buffoons who continue to separate people from their money, all the while selling them something that is nothing even close to what they claim."

- Part 6: Good as well, although I was a bit puzzled by what the paragraph I quote below is doing there...

"When approached honestly, the list doesn’t need to be any more complicated than this. I, like most humans, do love complexity. I especially love complexity in a setting such as this blog. Here people will read my work and pass judgment as to my intelligence, or lack thereof. But I need to remember my responsibility, and as there are people who reading this who do not know me well enough to tell when I am playing, and when I am serious, I have to play this straight. After all, this is a serious subject."

Overall, I think you synthesize pretty well what I've read from both McYoung and Miller, in a more concise way. Of course, I'm also a beginner student in this whole real world self-defense area, and I've not yet read as much as you have, although I'm working on it. :D

I thank you for the feedback.

As always, I am trying to get better, and welcome the input.

Quote:

 I learned a lot about awareness on McYoung's website. Since this is a short post, you can't cover it all, but I would definitively link to his site. Especially the page on fringe areas. Maybe carjacking as well. And the tips on avoidance, which is a lot about awareness.

After they were up, I did get a few emails pointing out a lot of areas that I had missed, and even these emails didn't include this. I see a need for some serious follow up work!

Quote:

One important thing, as you talk about giving options, is to mention to leave an exit to your opponent. If the only exit they have includes them losing face, they probably won't take it. Miller mentions how many people get hurt because they can't refrain from throwing a slashing one-liner at a retreating attacker...

And another great point! The subject is enourmous!

I also thank you for pointing out those paragraphs that didn't belong. I went back and looked, and you were 100% correct. Again, I do appreciate the feedback!