A few months ago I had the pleasure of meeting Lt Col. Dave Grossman, retired. He was teaching his “Bulletproof Mind” seminar which goes over topics covered in his book On Combat. I have read articles from him in the past, but I had not ready any of his books. I was so inspired by his presentation that I bought all of his books and a couple others.
I finished reading On Killing about a month ago, his first book. It is a written study about the psychological effects of man killing man, how we are naturally wired not to kill each other and how the military and society have desensitized us. Wow, what a read. When it was originally published, it was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. I can believe it.
This is a great book on human nature in regards to killing and its effects on the psyche. Not only that, it covers topics that are hard to discuss and even taboo.
The one point that Grossman tries to make toward the end of the book is that video games and television of today are desensitizing our children and that they are to blame for incidents such as Columbine or Virginia Tech. I agree with Grossman's ideas when it comes to general topics discussed in the book, but I disagree with this specific one.
He makes a good point and I do agree that TV and video games are partially to blame for the desensitization. However, when it comes to the effect on children, the true blame is on the parents. I have three kids myself and I let them play video games, some of them violent, but I limit how long they can play, I make sure I know what games they are playing, at home and at their friends, and most importantly I make it clear to them that they are games, not real life and on top of that I have instilled a sense of right and wrong plus good morals into my children so they can make good decisions when I am not around. When the parents are not involved in their children's live, I believe this is when kids have a better chance of making bad decisions and shooting up their school.
As a martial artist, I took a lot out of this book. It is a book I wish I had read much earlier than I did. It makes me think about my art and how it once was known as a "killing" art and how instructors today, myself included are focusing on our styles as arts of humane self-defense, of course, based on the situation. Yes there are still killing moves and we discuss these techniques in theory when students get to a certain level, but just because some jerk wants to knock your block off because you were hitting on his girlfriend, doesn't mean you have to kill him over it.
I follow and teach a Use-of-Force matrix which basically states the level of force used in a defensive situation should be based on a reasonable person's idea of what is justified. So breaking someone's neck just because he threw a drink on you doesn't mean you are justified. But if he pulls a knife and you break the hand or the arm holding that knife or even strategically cutting him with your own knife to disable him and stop him is perfectly justified. Basically it follows the law.
But say you did have to take a life in self-defense, how would that effect you? Have you been desensitized enough to have it not effect you? Have you trained in a move over and over again where you are killing your opponent and then you use that move in real, how do you think you will be psychologically effected? How will this effect the rest of your life? These are all things that martial artists think about and yet don't think about. I know I didn't think about it as deeply as I should have until I read this book. I have now made it required reading for my black belts since it covers topics like these and more.
I highly suggest this book to anyone. You should pick it up.
