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Doc Impossible

Addendum:

What the fuck, people?! I talk about how bad an idea it is to arm yourselves and a bunch of yall start arguing about blades and homemade bombs instead of firearms?! When I said weapons and not firearms, I meant ***all*** weapons.

This is not a fucking movie. This is your lives. All your posturing is gonna do is get you and the people around you dead.

Knock it off, dummies.

34 comments
8Petros [Signal: Petros.63]

Knee jerk, I am afraid.

Folks, don't be daft, don't get killed. You will not respawn.

Or, if you have such a death wish, do not write about it in public (which means internet at large). Save your contacts from unwanted visitors.

Dani Tseng

@Impossible_PhD Out of all topics... I guess "missing the point" illustrates the point, huh.

Bilal Barakat

@Impossible_PhD

I am absolutely NOT questioning your practical advice with respect to the current situation AT ALL, but out of curiosity, given your position, what is your take on the role that armed self-defense historically played for Black resistance in the he US? I know there are people who argue it was crucial in that situation. Not to anticipate your response, but I suppose that DID include Black veterans from WWII and Korea, and therefore partly fell under the exceptions you mentioned?

Doc Impossible

@bifouba armed self defense was *always* the minority for Black folks. There were a few who carried, and in doing so made it much riskier for white oppressors to harass Black folks. And most of those people who did were indeed veterans, as I understand the history.

Which, honestly, is exactly my point.

DearlySamantha

@Impossible_PhD not just that but also maybe don't (plan to) commit crimes on the public internet. It's a bad time for everyone

Doc Impossible

@ahuggingsam lol, yeah, that's a dumb fucking idea too.

Seriously, the number of people in this thread who *absolutely do not get it* is astounding.

And for the record, everyone? I'm from a military family and I don't own a weapon of any kind *because I'm from a military family*. I did not enter service because I know myself well enough to know that I am not capable of enacting that sort of harm.

Kestenan's Typoist. BSc SSc

@Impossible_PhD you have to admit… the do sound suspicious as fuck! :)

Tattie

@Impossible_PhD I train with bladed weapons (well, blunt ones) every week, and the thought of using them in self-defense is fucking stupid. Like what's the plan here? You get jumped and then expect to have a minute to pull a knife out of your bag? Or walk around with one in your hand whenever you feel unsafe, thus pre-escalating any confrontation? A knife is an offensive weapon, not a defensive one. They only get more people hurt.

No, your first plan should always be to de-escalate and defuse the situation. Keep your hands low, make it clear you're not interested in a fight. Don't brandish anything at anyone.

Your second plan, if you can, is to run. Keep an eye on your escape routes, don't let people back you into a corner.

Only after both those options are exhausted should you turn to fighting. And the only "weapon" I'd recommend is a good stout umbrella. It's not perceived as a weapon, meaning you can still de-escalate with one in your hand. You can give someone a swift knock in the jaw or round the head to daze them, or you knock the knife out of their hand, and then you run.

Self-defense is about getting away safely, not escalating a confrontation into a fight.

@Impossible_PhD I train with bladed weapons (well, blunt ones) every week, and the thought of using them in self-defense is fucking stupid. Like what's the plan here? You get jumped and then expect to have a minute to pull a knife out of your bag? Or walk around with one in your hand whenever you feel unsafe, thus pre-escalating any confrontation? A knife is an offensive weapon, not a defensive one. They only get more people hurt.

The Corodon

@Tattie @Impossible_PhD
Big agree. I used to work in a knife shop and appealed to my martial arts training to redirect people looking for self-defense to our pepper spray. If we'd sold solid umbrellas I would've recommended that, too.
As I put it, a knife is likely to make someone die. It's *not* good at quickly stopping someone from fighting.

Range and stopping power beat lethality for self-defense. And escaping beats everything.

@Tattie @Impossible_PhD
Big agree. I used to work in a knife shop and appealed to my martial arts training to redirect people looking for self-defense to our pepper spray. If we'd sold solid umbrellas I would've recommended that, too.
As I put it, a knife is likely to make someone die. It's *not* good at quickly stopping someone from fighting.

Meatwharf15

@Tattie @Impossible_PhD I heard of this thing a while back, and maybe it could also be a good self-defense weapon. It’s also something that wouldn’t be seen as one until it’s used as such. poshmark.com/listing/Cat-Knuck

Mx Verda

@zgilmore
In the UK, I sometimes hear heavy flashlights recommended. Like a “throw it and run” kind of deal.

@Tattie @Impossible_PhD

Kit Rhett Aultman

@Tattie @Impossible_PhD I regularly re-read The Art Of War, and it's if note that Sun Tzu describes many kinds of ground your army will find itself on. The only one where all-out attack is advisor without question is called "fatal ground" or "lethal ground"; all other circumstances suggest a strategy of struggle without engagement. Clearly "only fight when you absolutely must" was understood for centuries.

Doc Impossible

Addendum addendum:

Jesus fucking christ, a lot of you need to get your heads out of your asses and out of video games/action movies. You are not fucking John McClain. You need to *survive*, you lunatics.

I'm muting this insanity.

DankeyKang

@Impossible_PhD The people cosplaying John McClain remind me of Summer in that one R&M episode.
"Walkie talkie Die Hard, motherfucker"
youtube.com/watch?v=Fe26UAtNHy
(don't mind me, just trying to make light of some of this madness 😅)

FinalOverdrive

@Impossible_PhD There may be a fair degree of recklessness in how people are going about it, but I do not call arming ourselves irresponsible, to the degree we are able. What is irresponsible is thinking a silver tongue will keep you safe forever: indeed to even think in terms of being safe is irresponsible. We are at the "better to die on your feet than live on your knees" phase. And anything less than that is not principle, it is cowardice.

Runyan50

@FinalOverdrive @Impossible_PhD There are 400M firearms in this dystopia. Some people have dozens of them & Trump is giving them permission to terrorize minorities. Buying a gun is like buying rat poison. Mostly you are less safe due to accidental death, but if you really need it nothing else protects you as well. Me? I’m considering a freezer to stock up before the meat packing plants no longer have workers. Or become a vegetarian to balance our new drill baby drill CO2 levels. Lots of beans!

FinalOverdrive

@Runyan50 @Impossible_PhD How about both?

It's a tool for defense. Nothing more. It reckless to be unarmed when the enemy is armed to the teeth and only sees targets. We have to close the gap in both weapons and survival skills.

Mx Verda replied to FinalOverdrive

@FinalOverdrive
Whether or not I agree with your assumptions, not everyone physically and mentally can wield a weapon effectively,
much less in a crisis, much less without training before now, much less even want to.

“All or nothing” is a shit strategy.
Disabled people (of all stripes) exist and can help in different ways. You need infrastructure, logistics, medicine, etc.

Yes, teach everyone how to activate the safety on a gun. Give them other training if they want, but focus on what will actually help 80% of the gd time.
(Even if it didn’t, people still have different skills and needs.)

@Runyan50 @Impossible_PhD

@FinalOverdrive
Whether or not I agree with your assumptions, not everyone physically and mentally can wield a weapon effectively,
much less in a crisis, much less without training before now, much less even want to.

“All or nothing” is a shit strategy.
Disabled people (of all stripes) exist and can help in different ways. You need infrastructure, logistics, medicine, etc.

FinalOverdrive replied to Mx

@MxVerda @Runyan50 @Impossible_PhD I was referring to those able. Of course I don't expect those not able to do it. Don't try to push us to not be violent. It did nothing to stop the Nazis. Only bullets can do that.

FinalOverdrive replied to FinalOverdrive

@MxVerda @Runyan50 @Impossible_PhD There is still a gap that needs to be closed...and we are at war.

FinalOverdrive replied to FinalOverdrive

@MxVerda @Runyan50 @Impossible_PhD And of course. I at no point argue only fighters matter. But a warfooting is required.

FinalOverdrive replied to Mx
FinalOverdrive replied to Mx

@MxVerda I mean under some circumstances I will accept dude. Might not have single fixed identity. But you're going to insult me, call me a cunt, bitch, etc.

M.S. Bellows, Jr.

@Impossible_PhD +1. Know what's nore effective than an AR-15? A small razor blade applied to the tire valve stems of any immigration vehicles you encounter. Superglue and newspaper on unattended federal law enforcement vehicles' windshields. A bullhorn through which you announce "Run! Immigration agents are arresting people!" in Spanish.

Theodore Painsworth

@Impossible_PhD

Holy shit I saw someone suggest knives a few days ago and I had words.

Knives are the absolute worst self defense choice you could make. Knives are for show, even in ancient warfare. The goal was to get the other line to break and run in fear, that's how small battalions overcome significant numbers over and over. People are intensely afraid of violence, not just against themselves but afraid of committing it themselves too - even with guns, as you related it to the draft.

If you are actually in fear of your personal safety such that you're considering a weapon, pick a gun and more importantly, train with it. A lot. More than anything. If you're not willing to do that, don't buy a gun. Buy a religious book or other lucky charm instead.

beige.party/@itty53/1134363901

@Impossible_PhD

Holy shit I saw someone suggest knives a few days ago and I had words.

Knives are the absolute worst self defense choice you could make. Knives are for show, even in ancient warfare. The goal was to get the other line to break and run in fear, that's how small battalions overcome significant numbers over and over. People are intensely afraid of violence, not just against themselves but afraid of committing it themselves too - even with guns, as you related it to the draft.

bamfic

@Impossible_PhD or a friendly knock on the door from the FBI, ATF, or SS. Anyone who talks like that is trying to get themselves and/or you thrown in jail. Shun them from your lives instantly and severely. They are not allies, they are dangerous enemies. And possibly undercover cops.

Anne Ominous

@Impossible_PhD

don't bother answering, but has your home ever been broken into?
mine was as a child - we were robbed. and then i *caught* someone breaking into my apt as a single woman
the gun was useful that day

i really appreciate that some people will never want to own a gun, & those that do should learn a lot about them, & maybe consider not getting one if they have kids.

but in 2024 USA i'll NEVER agree that we should tell all Americans "guns are bad, stay away from them no matter what"

@Impossible_PhD

don't bother answering, but has your home ever been broken into?
mine was as a child - we were robbed. and then i *caught* someone breaking into my apt as a single woman
the gun was useful that day

i really appreciate that some people will never want to own a gun, & those that do should learn a lot about them, & maybe consider not getting one if they have kids.

Mx Verda

@rustoleumlove
I’ll proceed assuming you write with genuine intent.
That sounds horrific and you should not have had to experience either of those.
You deserved better. I’m glad you found use and comfort that day, gun or not. I’m glad you felt capable enough to use it.
However, that is still twice in your life.
I don’t intend to undermine the chronic impacts of serious crime on anyone’s life.

But that final statement is not an accurate summary of OP’s points, either.

@Impossible_PhD

@rustoleumlove
I’ll proceed assuming you write with genuine intent.
That sounds horrific and you should not have had to experience either of those.
You deserved better. I’m glad you found use and comfort that day, gun or not. I’m glad you felt capable enough to use it.
However, that is still twice in your life.
I don’t intend to undermine the chronic impacts of serious crime on anyone’s life.

Mx Verda

@Impossible_PhD

To add to that: if you don’t know what you’re doing, why, and how it helps, then you are LARPing help ffs.

Live, help others live, find joy, take notes of who capitulated, and don’t lose yourself.

That is significantly more familiar (and therefore more likely to work) than whatever tf else

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