What Would You Do in a Life-or-Death Struggle?

Think back to situations of genocide……Everyone is cowed and thinking, “They’re human. They won’t harm us. I can reason with them.”

“I can reason with them.” That’ll be the thought.

Even Rick thought he could reason with Negan in “Walking Dead” until Negan beat Glenn’s head to a pulp.
Maybe I'm not understanding you correctly, but I don't see what this has to do with the situation I established.

And to what I think is your point in your other comment about Walker Texas Ranger, no, it's unlikely the other men would just stand around waiting for their turn. But whether you go full-animal on them or fight them in a traditional human style, we wouldn't know for sure what they would do. I think, however, the full-animal stands the best chance of throwing them off-balance.
 
Fighting is psychological? Not really. Fighting is physical. Your strategy will have your gas tank completely shot and after about 45 secs you will be unable to fight back. People don’t realize the lack of endurance they will have in a fight.

I train Jiu jitsu ( at least 4 times a week) and proficient enough striking. I usually have a knife on me because in your scenario I’m fucked without it.
I see your point, but I'm going to respectfully disagree despite your apparent combat prowess. Fighting is primarily physical, as you rightly claim. Perhaps I didn't explain myself well regarding the comments about psychology. Overwhelming force will almost always win. A big, strong guy will almost always win against someone who is not a peer.

But in this situation, you are not the overwhelming force. You may or may not be the big, strong guy, but regardless of your combat skills, you're against overwhelming force. You break one guy's arm. Maybe choke out another. There's still two more guys. Presumably not just standing around watching, like Zoo's Walker Texas Ranger comment.

At this point, combat becomes psychological. Not that I would likely have the cognizance to do it, but you jump on one of them like a baboon and bite whatever off (granted, would take a little time since we don't have those massive incisors), you stand to win the psychological battler in a physical battle you would likely not win.

Never seen it, obviously, but I suspect men meaning true harm less likely to respond to a man possessed, ripping flesh, than they are a guy just stand-up fighting or grappling.

I'm kind of ranting now. Hard to get all my thoughts in one post without going essay length, but hopefully you get it.

And, yes, of course we would all have a large knife. Hell, why stop there! I'd have an AR. But that's not my scenario. Think of it like you're put into an empty room with a door. But there's four unarmed guys who have cornered you, meaning to kill you (also unarmed).

I will say, however, I have enjoyed how this improbable situation has resulted in conversation. Including weapons too, even if not an option in my scenario.
 
And, yes, I get the fatigue element. But we're wagering whether or not 15-45 seconds of jumping around like a baboon and tearing flesh is equivalent to maybe 1-2 minutes of conventional combat. We're in a losing position, no matter what, but I maintain the 15-45 seconds of jumping around like a baboon and tearing flesh will be much more psychologically damaging (and our only advantage) in a fight against overwhelming force.
 
I see your point, but I'm going to respectfully disagree despite your apparent combat prowess. Fighting is primarily physical, as you rightly claim. Perhaps I didn't explain myself well regarding the comments about psychology. Overwhelming force will almost always win. A big, strong guy will almost always win against someone who is not a peer.

But in this situation, you are not the overwhelming force. You may or may not be the big, strong guy, but regardless of your combat skills, you're against overwhelming force. You break one guy's arm. Maybe choke out another. There's still two more guys. Presumably not just standing around watching, like Zoo's Walker Texas Ranger comment.

At this point, combat becomes psychological. Not that I would likely have the cognizance to do it, but you jump on one of them like a baboon and bite whatever off (granted, would take a little time since we don't have those massive incisors), you stand to win the psychological battler in a physical battle you would likely not win.

Never seen it, obviously, but I suspect men meaning true harm less likely to respond to a man possessed, ripping flesh, than they are a guy just stand-up fighting or grappling.

I'm kind of ranting now. Hard to get all my thoughts in one post without going essay length, but hopefully you get it.

And, yes, of course we would all have a large knife. Hell, why stop there! I'd have an AR. But that's not my scenario. Think of it like you're put into an empty room with a door. But there's four unarmed guys who have cornered you, meaning to kill you (also unarmed).

I will say, however, I have enjoyed how this improbable situation has resulted in conversation. Including weapons too, even if not an option in my scenario.
So you are in a physical battle that you can’t win, but you’re going to do all these over the top, extremely physical things to win psychologically? Meh. Tearing flesh? Did you grow a set of claws? How do you plan to jump on someone like a baboon? Humans don’t process the physical traits for this to be effective. You’re more than likely going to end up tackling a dude and biting him. I don’t think that’s going to have the effect you want.
 
"Primo Levi spent over a year in the Auschwitz concentration camp. This book is an attempt to make some sense of his experiences, and to try to understand how a nation could set up a system to butcher millions of people. Eventually he gave up the struggle to come to terms with it and committed suicide in 1987."*

Levi was one of the first to chronicle survival in a death camp (Auschwitz). His book, The Drowned and The Saved, is remarkable and unforgettable. It gives one much food for thought as to how they might have acted themselves in that situation.

Here is the book: The drowned and the saved : Levi, Primo, 1919-1987 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive


Here is an excerpt: The Saved and the Drowned


The detail that Levi brings is haunting...the things that mattered, or came to matter...shoes for example, or unexpected skills (Levi was a chemist and this was the key to his survival), or language abilities.

Take 30 minutes and listen here...

 
And, yes, I get the fatigue element. But we're wagering whether or not 15-45 seconds of jumping around like a baboon and tearing flesh is equivalent to maybe 1-2 minutes of conventional combat. We're in a losing position, no matter what, but I maintain the 15-45 seconds of jumping around like a baboon and tearing flesh will be much more psychologically damaging (and our only advantage) in a fight against overwhelming force.
And perhaps what you’re referring to is violence of action. Still some basic understanding of fighting will be required.

1- med to smallest dude gets hit with a three piece that ends with a blow to the nose. Preferably an elbow so I don’t break my hand.

2-close the distance to inside collar tie. Serious if headbutts to this assailant.

3-kick either: assailant 3 with a motion to collapse/ break the knee or one the first two in the face as they try to recover.

4-look to engage assailant 4 similarly to 2 with intent to control head, gouge eye with thumbs, and bite the guy in the neck if needed -baboon shit.

Oh man. We may just get out of here.
 
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I'm sure it's apocryphal but I've always heard that particular shot (pun intended) was impromptu. Apparently, Harrison was suppose to engage somehow but decided it better in the moment to pull out the prop gun and shoot. And Spielberg just decided to go along with it. Given the reaction from the random sword swinging actor and the crowd, however, I am highly skeptical.
 
I'm sure it's apocryphal but I've always heard that particular shot (pun intended) was impromptu. Apparently, Harrison was suppose to engage somehow but decided it better in the moment to pull out the prop gun and shoot. And Spielberg just decided to go along with it. Given the reaction from the random sword swinging actor and the crowd, however, I am highly skeptical.
I heard that Indy had a headache and just didn’t want to go thru with the original planned fight.
 
So you are in a physical battle that you can’t win, but you’re going to do all these over the top, extremely physical things to win psychologically? Meh. Tearing flesh? Did you grow a set of claws? How do you plan to jump on someone like a baboon? Humans don’t process the physical traits for this to be effective. You’re more than likely going to end up tackling a dude and biting him

So you are in a physical battle that you can’t win, but you’re going to do all these over the top, extremely physical things to win psychologically? Meh. Tearing flesh? Did you grow a set of claws? How do you plan to jump on someone like a baboon? Humans don’t process the physical traits for this to be effective. You’re more than likely going to end up tackling a dude and biting him. I don’t think that’s going to have the effect you want.
No, I get all what you're saying. Totally. And you're likely right: I would just end up tackling a guy while howling bizarrely and just biting him. And likely wouldn't produce the results I intend.
So you are in a physical battle that you can’t win, but you’re going to do all these over the top, extremely physical things to win psychologically? Meh. Tearing flesh? Did you grow a set of claws? How do you plan to jump on someone like a baboon? Humans don’t process the physical traits for this to be effective. You’re more than likely going to end up tackling a dude and biting him. I don’t think that’s going to have the effect you want.
No, I get all what you're saying. Totally. And you're likely right: I would just end up tackling a guy while howling bizarrely and just biting him. And likely wouldn't produce the results I intend. I get it. But this is a losing proposition from the start. So that's why I maintain the psychological element is the only chance, as unlikely as it would be.
 
No, I get all what you're saying. Totally. And you're likely right: I would just end up tackling a guy while howling bizarrely and just biting him. And likely wouldn't produce the results I intend.

No, I get all what you're saying. Totally. And you're likely right: I would just end up tackling a guy while howling bizarrely and just biting him. And likely wouldn't produce the results I intend. I get it. But this is a losing proposition from the start. So that's why I maintain the psychological element is the only chance, as unlikely as it would be.
Don't know how I quoted you twice here, Purple. Apologies.
 
And perhaps what you’re referring to is violence of action. Still some basic understanding of fighting will be required.

1- med to smallest dude gets hit with a three piece that ends with a blow to the nose. Preferably an elbow so I don’t break my hand.

2-close the distance to inside collar tie. Serious if headbutts to this assailant.

3-kick either: assailant 3 with a motion to collapse/ break the knee or one the first two in the face as they try to recover.

4-look to engage assailant 4 similarly to 2 with intent to control head, gouge eye with thumbs, and bite the guy in the neck if needed -baboon shit.

Oh man. We may just get out of here.
Sounds like a great plan but as you well know, even the best plans go awry quickly. And I dig the baboon honor in Step 4. Lol.

Whatever the case, it's just a thought experiment. I'm honestly shocked the thread has turned out the way it has. I thought people would just crack jokes. Surprised "why not just fight like a lion?" hasn't come up.

It stimulated conversation, and I'm glad we all conversed.
 
I heard that Indy had a headache and just didn’t want to go thru with the original planned fight.
The story I read is that he had tummy troubles due to shooting in Tunisia and needed to use the restroom and so figured out a way to end the scene early.
 
The story I read is that he had tummy troubles due to shooting in Tunisia and needed to use the restroom and so figured out a way to end the scene early.
I never heard exactly what was wrong with him, just that he didn’t feel good. The scene probably turned out better than if it had gone as planned.
 
The day of the shoot had arrived. The swordsman (British stunt actor Terry Richards) had been training for months. The problem was that the shoot was way past its schedule, and producer Frank Marshall felt the need to intervene somehow. Also, the entire crew was suffering from dysentery, as Tunisia wasn't exactly friendly in regards to sanitary conditions. Harrison Ford was among those who couldn't stay away from the toilet for more than a few minutes, and he was feeling especially bad that day.

So when it came time to film the highly choreographed and prepared scene, a spur-of-the-moment decision was made to have Indy just shoot the guy instead. It wasn't intended to happen that way, and yet it went on to become one of the most iconic Indiana Jones scenes.
 
Rethink your whole opinion. A human is not nearly as strong or agile as a baboon.

I'd be fighting like a human, looking for every hard object I can find to swing or throw, using every knife on me (currently three) and doing my best to make them have to kill me fast.
Wait, you carry three knives around?
 
Wait, you carry three knives around?
Started life on a farm and worked construction all my life .Got in the habit of carrying a knife and a way to make a fire when I was about eight. I have a small Swiss Army knife for versatility like bottle opener, screwdrivers and such as well as the blades. I have a small Buck three blade folder because, as usual, a dedicated tool is better for a single job is better than a multipurpose one. I also have a folding Buck for heavier cutting chores. I regularly used all of them on the job and still do to a lesser extent in my daily gardening.
 
Well according to google, adult male coyotes average bw 30-50 lbs. I weigh 225. Pretty sure I could crack some ribs with a well-placed kick and then just lay on top of the other one and gouge his eyes out or strangle him..
I think it's more of an instinct thing that would give a wild animal the advantage.

I had a good round with a family of possums once, I still recall the details. 😲
 
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