"Fear no man"? Is this good?

[Joab]

So says the advertisement on this website for a "free" military system". Is fearing no man really a good thing? Fear is an important emotion, it can get you to run out of a burning house, keep your hand off a hot stove, look both ways before you cross a street. There are men to be feared, and indeed fear can in reality be a healthy respect, no taking an attacker lightly, running if it is possible away from the attacker due to fear of losing life, limb, freedom (if you end up in jail, no way of knowing how a physical altercation will end up legally) finances
(civil lawsuits can bankrupt you, as well as medical bills from the one you injured even if he attacked you first-miscarriages of justice do happen.)

While it is true that a paralyzing fear is not good and can get you killed, a healthy fear is indeed good. Fear no man? Only a fool fears no one, a gun is a great equalizer as is a knife, billy club, and the like. And there is not only always somebody who is better than you on any given day, there are likely lots of people better than you. Fear, a healthy respect kind of fear, is indeed good.

[BLACK LION]

"Captain Chris" is on the right track in his own way but that is a matter of perception. I found that it is better not to play too heavily in their words. I try to check out things on either a trial basis or when there is a fire sale. I refuse to pay 400.00 for some dvds only to find I knew most of the material already but it just had different packaging and a different color coating. I refuse to spend 1500.00 on a weekend seminar only to find that there wasnt enough time or I wasted money on something I could have learned for free or already knew. There is no magic potion or superhuman kool aide in this stuff or any of these guys who are walking this line. I can think of a few out right now and essentially they are the same. They may be working different angles on the essentials and/or principles but its based off the same concept.

Sift and sort through it... grab what is or can be useful and discard whats not...then move on to the next.

[blackxpress]

I think it's dumb. There are only 2 reasons I can think of to fight. 1) Competition and 2) Self defense. You make a conscious decision to step into the ring. Self defense is a different matter altogether. On the street, if you're not afraid of the other guy what reason do you have to fight him in the first place?

[Bill Mattocks]

http://cagle.msnbc.com/hogan/features/martial_arts_ads/new_art/CountDumme_new.jpg

[MJS]

So says the advertisement on this website for a "free" military system". Is fearing no man really a good thing? Fear is an important emotion, it can get you to run out of a burning house, keep your hand off a hot stove, look both ways before you cross a street. There are men to be feared, and indeed fear can in reality be a healthy respect, no taking an attacker lightly, running if it is possible away from the attacker due to fear of losing life, limb, freedom (if you end up in jail, no way of knowing how a physical altercation will end up legally) finances
(civil lawsuits can bankrupt you, as well as medical bills from the one you injured even if he attacked you first-miscarriages of justice do happen.)

While it is true that a paralyzing fear is not good and can get you killed, a healthy fear is indeed good. Fear no man? Only a fool fears no one, a gun is a great equalizer as is a knife, billy club, and the like. And there is not only always somebody who is better than you on any given day, there are likely lots of people better than you. Fear, a healthy respect kind of fear, is indeed good.

Fear, IMO, is a natural thing, however, it needs to be controlled, otherwise, it'll control you. Unless you're someone who can totally tune out any remorse or feelings, then I'd say that everyone can experience fear.

Fear of fighting, getting hurt, hurting someone else, getting sued, etc....well, of course all those things are important to think about, however, I don't think letting someone assault you, rob you, rape you, whatever, because you're afraid of the aftermath, is wrong. If that happens, then the bad guy has already won IMO. So, someone is going to break into my house, uninvited, late at night, and gets injured in the process, then turns around and sues me...well, go ahead. Any judge or jury that would award some dirtbag cash for doing that, needs their head examined.

[Andy Moynihan]

http://cagle.msnbc.com/hogan/features/martial_arts_ads/new_art/CountDumme_new.jpg


http://www.llapgoch.org.uk/

[Ken Morgan]

To me, “fear no man”, simply means, controlling your fear to the extent that you are thinking clearly and logically of all your possible options. Fight or flight.

[Deaf Smith]

Well, maybe “fear no man”, but when you see hundreds of fixed bayonets gleaming in the sun as they charge you, you might fear them.

I can honestly say I have met some men (pride says 'only a few') that can clean my clock anytime in a dark ally. Some of them are mighty tough, fast, BIG, and very skilled. Yes I would fear them if I found myself in a dark ally and I knew they were after me. I'd fear them so much I'd shoot them first, and then ask questions later.

Thank God I live in Texas, where the 'Great Equalizer' can be had by all, strong, weak, old, young, infirm. If not for that, then anyone would be at the mercy of a pack of hoodlems or the very strong.

Deaf

[Stac3y]

No. Fear is useful--keeps you out of trouble. It's only bad if it's excessive or unreasonable.

[celtic_crippler]

"Fear" and "Confidence" are two different things. I think it's important to have both.

[Joab]

Fear, IMO, is a natural thing, however, it needs to be controlled, otherwise, it'll control you. Unless you're someone who can totally tune out any remorse or feelings, then I'd say that everyone can experience fear.

Fear of fighting, getting hurt, hurting someone else, getting sued, etc....well, of course all those things are important to think about, however, I don't think letting someone assault you, rob you, rape you, whatever, because you're afraid of the aftermath, is wrong. If that happens, then the bad guy has already won IMO. So, someone is going to break into my house, uninvited, late at night, and gets injured in the process, then turns around and sues me...well, go ahead. Any judge or jury that would award some dirtbag cash for doing that, needs their head examined.

If they break into your house the law is all on your side in most states, good to check out the laws in your state. I'm not advocating doing nothing if someone attacks you, but it really is a good idea to run if you can, and I was thinking more of some lowlife on the streets, not somebody breaking into your house.

But my main point was that fear is a good thing, "fear no man" may be a catchy line to sell something, but its not a good mindset to have. But they were trying to sell something, it was marketing.

[Joab]

To me, “fear no man”, simply means, controlling your fear to the extent that you are thinking clearly and logically of all your possible options. Fight or flight.

Well, if that is what it means I agree with you.

[BLACK LION]

fear no man is a concept that is wide open for contradiction and terrible misconception.

You cannot eliminate fear. It is a higher wiring beyond our cognitive control , a sixth sense if you will. It is in place as a survival mechanism. It cannot be eliminated, only replaced. The only replacement is anger and/or rage... Anger is the solution to fear and the concoction of adrenaline... but first you have to understand what fear is and what its effects are physically, emotionally and mentally. Then you learn to manage it and turn it into a weapon. Fear is a weapon that is very much needed... but there are many bi-products of fear that must be eliminated or replaced before it can become a weapon at your disposal.


take care out there guys.

[Tez3]

You should fear no man....because everyone knows the female of the species is deadlier! :wink2:

[Guardian]

Well, maybe “fear no man”, but when you see hundreds of fixed bayonets gleaming in the sun as they charge you, you might fear them.

I can honestly say I have met some men (pride says 'only a few') that can clean my clock anytime in a dark ally. Some of them are mighty tough, fast, BIG, and very skilled. Yes I would fear them if I found myself in a dark ally and I knew they were after me. I'd fear them so much I'd shoot them first, and then ask questions later.

Thank God I live in Texas, where the 'Great Equalizer' can be had by all, strong, weak, old, young, infirm. If not for that, then anyone would be at the mercy of a pack of hoodlems or the very strong.

Deaf


I don't know about fear, but I do have a very high respect for quite a few folks that could whip me and I'd rather not even try that route. \

Amen Deaf Smith to this post. The great equalizer is well worth the time and energy it takes to acquire one.

[Kacey]

Fear creates awareness. Like anything else, if you let it, fear can overcome you. Rather than casting out fear, one should learn to use it, rather than letting it use you.

From Dune, by Frank Herbert:

I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.
- Bene Gesserit Litany Against Fear.

[sgtmac_46]

So says the advertisement on this website for a "free" military system". Is fearing no man really a good thing? Fear is an important emotion, it can get you to run out of a burning house, keep your hand off a hot stove, look both ways before you cross a street. There are men to be feared, and indeed fear can in reality be a healthy respect, no taking an attacker lightly, running if it is possible away from the attacker due to fear of losing life, limb, freedom (if you end up in jail, no way of knowing how a physical altercation will end up legally) finances
(civil lawsuits can bankrupt you, as well as medical bills from the one you injured even if he attacked you first-miscarriages of justice do happen.)

While it is true that a paralyzing fear is not good and can get you killed, a healthy fear is indeed good. Fear no man? Only a fool fears no one, a gun is a great equalizer as is a knife, billy club, and the like. And there is not only always somebody who is better than you on any given day, there are likely lots of people better than you. Fear, a healthy respect kind of fear, is indeed good.

Advertising hyperbole aside, fear is a double edged sword..........it's usefulness depends on the situation, and a couple exact definitions of exactly what we mean by 'fear'.

[sgtmac_46]

I think it's dumb. There are only 2 reasons I can think of to fight. 1) Competition and 2) Self defense. You make a conscious decision to step into the ring. Self defense is a different matter altogether. On the street, if you're not afraid of the other guy what reason do you have to fight him in the first place?

There are only 2 reasons to fight in a 'civilized society'.......there are far more reasons if one finds one's self in a less than civilized setting.

[sgtmac_46]

Is the goal of 'Fearing no man' any different than this.....


"If by setting one's heart right every morning and evening, one is able to live as though his body were already dead, he gains freedom in the Way. His whole life will be without blame, and he will succeed in his calling." Yamamoto Tsunetomo 'Hagakure'

Tsunetomo seems to be suggesting that the way of the Samurai is found in eliminating the fear of death, eliminating fear altogether, so that one may respond without the cloud of fear........i'm not suggesting he's right or wrong, merely pointing to the fact that goal of 'fearing no man' is part and parcel of martial thinking........I suspect that the issue many folks have with the idea has more to do with moral beliefs outside of the martial way.

That putting aside that in this instance 'Fear No Man' is mere marketing hyperbole.

[Flea]

Bill, where did you find that Buh Zurk ad??

:lfao:

[jks9199]

Advertising hyperbole aside, fear is a double edged sword..........it's usefulness depends on the situation, and a couple exact definitions of exactly what we mean by 'fear'.
Great point.

Fear can be useful, both to spur us on when we're running from a bear or the like, and to warn us that we're about to do something rather unwise...

Being afraid doesn't mean that you don't act -- but at least, if you're afraid of something reasonable (not a phobia, etc.), your body and mind are more primed to deal with the dangers.

[arnisador]

Fear losing your cash...

[BLACK LION]

"Fear" helped me turn the key off and pick my motorcycle up off myself and stand it on its kickstand after slamming into a stupid driver before being ran over by freeway traffic this past Sunday. I actually used the adrenaline dump to dead lift 400 lbs off of myself and upright.... 3 cheers for fear... and for gear.

[mograph]

There's fear and there's respect and understanding. You don't need to fear something to keep you safe, just a respect for it and what it can do. You can run from a threat screaming, or run because it's the right thing to do. If you're calm but aware of the nature of the threat (you respect it), you'll probably run just as fast as if you were scared ... and you might make better decisions if you're calm.

For example, I don't avoid bungee jumping because I feel fear when i think of it, I just think it's stupid. My wife is afraid of driving. I'm not, but I'm alive because i know how to drive and respect the dangers of the road. So I behave responsibly and learned to be quite aware of other drivers and spot dangers before they become accidents. If I were afraid while driving, I'd probably tense up, have tunnel vision, and freeze in a situation.

"Fear no man" is more likely to be an advertising slogan rather than a statement inviting intelligent discourse on the nature of fear.

I think that with training, we can learn to confront our fears and see them as either baseless or not very useful. We might not be able to eradicate all of them, but if we start with the minor ones, we can see how far we go.

[sgtmac_46]

It's kind of a difficult argument without defining the terms.......when we say 'Fear'......are we referring to the intellectual acknowledgment of a threat? Or the resulting physiological adrenal response?


As to the adrenal response, that is the great debate in modern self defense........because it divides the fine motor skill technique set from the gross motor skill technique set.


Upon further reflection of the nature of physical 'fear', i.e. the adrenal response.....it seems more applicable the more primal the conflict, i.e. the adrenal response is very important to fighting using your physical weapons, you become stronger, more immune to pain and injury because of the adrenal state.

As we go up the scale of tools and conflict we find that the adrenal state tends to hinder effective actions on some levels......for example a highly adrenal state tends to hinder our ability to fire a weapon accurately.

Pushed even further to the high tech combatant, the adrenal state, beyond a lower optimal level of arousal, would be an impediment to a fighter, pilot, for example, attempting to operate his plane effectively in combat.

So, it seems that the more complex the task involved in the combat situation, the lower the optimal level of adrenal arousal.

[Tames D]

I'm a little superstitious. If I start ignoring my fears then that will be the time I get hurt or killed. I try to control my fears.

[Tames D]

http://cagle.msnbc.com/hogan/features/martial_arts_ads/new_art/CountDumme_new.jpg
Hell Bill, you milked that ad for all it's worth...http://martialtalk.com/forum/images/icons/icon7.gif