We can take the above adversarial title one of two ways, either empty-handed versus a weapon assault or, in the "let's weigh the pros and cons of weaponless self-protection training versus weapons training" sense. We'll address this topic by touching on both interpretations; let's start with the latter pros & cons tack.

First, a rule for how humans interface with technology and, make no mistake, weapons are, indeed, manifestations of technology.

The Inverse Weapons/Technology Rule: The effort required from the operator (we, the human) is inverse to the relative advanced nature of the technology (weapon) itself.

Wha? In plain English, the more advanced a piece of technology the less effort required from the operator to use it. Let's go outside weapons technology for a moment to illustrate.

            Let's assume that you're a modern day Pheidippides and you have been given the task to communicate a message from your current location in Marathon, Greece to Athens which is 26 miles and 385 yards away. Being a child of the 21st century you have many tools at your disposal to fulfill this task. For example, you could text, Tweet, email, use your cellphone all in little under one minute. Let's assume no iPhone or, insufficient coverage or some other satellite/cell tower stumbling block that renders your 1 minute task undoable. You could then opt to drive the distance-assuming you had a car and know how to drive, if you don't know how, most folks are up to speed on the basics in under an hour in an automatic. Assuming you drive approximately 50 miles per hour you could accomplish your task in half an hour. Now, let's assume you have no access to a car or any other form of motorized transportation, but, alas, you have a bicycle. (Again, we're assuming you know how to ride a bike-if not please recall how long it takes a child to get the hang of this skill-tricycles and then months of training wheels). Back to our message to Athens--You could hop on your bike and at a good clip deliver your message in 1 hour. And last but, not least, no iPhone, no cars, no bikes, no nothing but you and your own two feet. Assuming you've put in the appropriate long-distance running training you could get that message to Athens in 4 and half hours (the average Marathon time for regular Joe runners).

            Applying The Weapons/Technology Rule we can see that the more sophisticated the tool the less effort/training required from the user. Texting, Tweeting, making a phone call? Any kid can do that. Drive a car? Teens and up. Bike? Kids and up but, we start depending on the physical capacity of the messenger at this point-technology up to now was far less dependant on the skills and or conditioning of the messenger. Running? All humans on two feet can do this but, honestly, how many people do you know who could get that message to Athens in less than 5 hours simply by running?

            This brings us to an inverse corollary of the inverse technology rule-The ability to use the more complex technology does not infer that we can scale to the simpler technology but, the same does not hold for those who are capable of the less complex forms. In other words, just because I can text does not mean that I can run a marathon with equal facility but, being able to run a marathon more than implies that I have the wherewithal to ride a bike, drive a car, or send a text.

            Let's now apply The Inverse Weapons-Technology Rule to, well, weapons. We'll start at the top end again and work down in this arbitrary list: aerial drone used to deliver an explosive payload, firearm, blade, cudgel, empty hand. The aerial drone is operated by a remote user utilizing technology common to current video game play. Does anyone out there know a child who cannot operate a videogame? (Yes, I am simplifying military drone operation but, you get the point). A firearm? Assuming one can aim, and pull the trigger this is well within the abilities of most human beings (again this is a broad generalization to illustrate a point and not meant to impugn high-end shooting skill in any way). A blade? A razor-sharp edged weapon will still slit skin whether in the hands of a trained blades-man or my 12-year-old daughter. The cudgel? At this point we start requiring a bit more of our weapon-wielder, we'll need the strength, power and timing to deliver a useful enough blow to defend oneself as well as a bit of understanding regarding angles of attack, zero pressure, et cetera. The empty-handed defender? Well, now we're at the point where, more than likely, some serious training is required (both conditioning and technical).

            To re-state, The Inverse Weapons-Technology Rule says that the more primitive the technology, the more effort and/or training required from the operator with the understanding that zero-technology (the empty-hand) requires the most training of all.

            Let's be clear about the stance I'm offering here, it is not that weapons training is useless, on the contrary, labor saving devices are manna whether they be Glocks or DVRs I am simply pointing out that assuming the worst in self-protection scenarios (which is always a good idea) it is optimum to proportion training time accordingly with what calls for the most skill/work in the event of technology failure or absence. Yes, we must train with weapons, the technology that may save our lives or those of loved ones but, we must be ever vigilant, ever realistic about what we are capable of if we have to get a message to Athens and all we have at our disposal is our wits and our bodies.

Let's close with a quote from Marcus Aurelius (from The Meditations).

"The student as boxer, not fencer.

The fencer's weapon is picked up and put down again.

The boxer's is part of him. All he has to do is clench his fist."

Allow me the hubris to add to the wise emperor's maxim, let us be both the boxer and the fencer able to use what we find clenched in our fists as well as the fist itself while never forgetting which takes more time to learn and to use that time well.

As some of you know I try to leave the homestead as little as possible, but this year is an anomaly as we have upped our seminar/playtime. Below you will find a listing of some of the most recent additions to the schedule.

We'll be at Martial Arts Carolina on Saturday, March 23rd running a day of Old School Wrestling and then running with a crew in the Charlotte, NC Spartan Sprint on the 24th.

Here's the seminar skinny--

Martial Arts Carolina

3555-2 Matthews-Minthill Rd.

Matthews, NC 28105

Time: 12pm-5pm

Cost: $50

Contact: Yevette Hutchinson or Brad Butchka at 704-847-2222

Once you register for the seminar and if you decide you'd like to run side-by-muddy side with us in the Spartan sprint as well, drop us an email with your seminar confirmation and we'll set you up with the Team Code discount.

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We'll be in Germany in May--details to come.

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Of course we'll be at the Annual Karate College in Radford, VA on June 28th & 29th. We'll teach 3 general sessions + 1 certification course.  To register for Karate College http://www.thekaratecollege.com/TheKarateCollege.com/Karate_College.html

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We'll be on the roster at Martial Arts on the Mountain--September 19 (5PM start) thru September 22nd (11AM).

Myself, Boyd Ritchie, Carlos Cummings, and John Miller will be presenting classes in MMA, Boxing, Catch Wrestling, Sambo, (and if time permits) an optional Challenge/Obstacle Run.

Four days of training, feel free to room on the campground (rooms and meals provided, crew--beat that).

Cost: $250

To register or for more details contact Coach John Miller

coach@grapplingsports.com

540-354-9356

http://www.facebook.com/events/126726897501640/

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Of course, we'll also offer our Annual Tennessee Boot Camp in November-details to come.

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We hope to see you at one of these events--if you'd like to have us come to you, check out our Pitch An Adventure info in the side bar and if you've got some adrenaline in your neck of the woods that strikes my fancy we'll be there.  

RAW Subscription Update

For our current and considering RAW Subscribers, beginning with volume 123 (January 1st, 2013) we will begin unveiling The Combination Man Home Study Course in which we (finally) present in an ABC/1-2-3 manner the steps from, 0-120 MPH how to become the best Boxer-Pugilist, Shooter-Stuffer, Par Terre Wrester-Submission Technician you can be.

Each volume will tied-in to the inTENS PREMIUM CONDITIONING SERVICE (free to subscribers), will be accompanied by a printed syllabi of drills for gym use, and will then be keyed to a foundation text (The Combination Man) that will be released at a later date. In other words, some good methodical let's get better stuff coming your way.