h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Good added points TR

We tries to help.

A walking stick comes in handy for such occasions!! Especially my one, its made from carbon fibre, light in weight but strong enough to deter any body who fancies their chances with a disabled person
Smudger.

I read something awhile back that said, specifically from a sexual assault/rape scenario, that if you make yourself repulsive it can help - one woman swore blind that she picked her nose and ate it when approached by a freaky bloke, and he grimaced and walked away..

Worth thinking about!

Mel

Now that is a idea! gross out factor
*likes the name change and also fond of Wm Blake*

Your right smudger, a cane can be especially useful when sitting in a chair.

Are sword canes still illegal?

TR seems to have a pretty good handle on things. I wonder if he's familiar with the methods devised by the legally disadvantaged families of Iga or Koga provinces in medieval Japan. These families were legally prohibited from possessing conventional weapons to defend themselves from the ruling Samurais and developed some interesting workarounds.

In my jurisdiction, sword canes are legal to purchase and keep in your home, but not to carry or use. They are considered a concealed weapon, and not covered under the provisions of concealed carry certification.

Sorry, not at the moment familiar with that facet of Japanese martial arts without looking it up.
Basically aware of the situations that led to the development of most of the early arts, including those using farm implements such as the flail and the scythe.

I am aware also that Mushashi, the master of two swords and later a wooden one, was the son of a man who was the master of the iron truncheon.

Basically, if you have not been trained in the use of a weapon, it is wiser not to carry one.
Your assailant may be a bit more knowledgeable than you.

Was amazed a few months ago when I was researching Savate to find how useful a coat or jacket can be.
I mean, I had seen Jackie Chan do various things with them, but you know how creative he is.

I have also been amazed to learn how useful a book or a rolled up magazine or newspaper can be, not to mention a simple stout umbrella.

You seem to be on a good line of approach, TR.

Iga and Koga provinces were the birthplace of the Ninja, the invisible warriors widely denigrated for their ruthless disregard for Samurai chivalry. Of course few people stop to consider that the Samurai class was populated with tyrants, armed criminals engaged in criminal enterprises collectively categorized as Japanese feudalism. As such they were no more civil or civilized than the Normans, Nazis or Soviets.

Under the circumstances then, there might be much to learn from people who successfully resisted such tyranny for centuries. The tradition is still alive, BTW, and can still be instructive to those who would oppose tyranny whether perpetrated by street thugs or official criminals like George W. Bush or Saddam Hussein.

On the other hand, there is the "Boxer" Rebellion.

And the "Ninja" themselves were not above lending their services to the highest bidder.

Witness my favorite fictional martial artist, Chiun, of the "Destroyer" series. The House of Sinanju valued their skills quite highly.

Sorry, I'm having a problem grasping the pertinence of the Boxer Rebellion to this discussion. Could you elaborate please, TR?

Why was it called the "Boxer" Rebellion? Hmm?

Well, perhaps if it's intended that we conduct a pop quiz here, I'd say the term probably arose as a Britishism or Yankism describing people practicing the kung fu arts, which tend to emphasize something resembling British boxing.

The rebellion itself was an attempt to reestablish Chinese sovereignty in the wake of European and American colonial initiatives resulting from the Opium Wars.

That doesn't quite explain why you brought it up, however.

The I-ho Chaun, the Righteous and Harmonious Fists, and the White Lotus Society were "Kung Fuists".

Their martial arts abilities seemed to have little effect against artillery and modern rifles. Of course, the fact that they believed that magic would render them bulletproof often meant that they made good cannon fodder. While they had organization on zeal on their side, as well as a point about the foreign domination and the curruption of their government, none of that could take the place of what they really needed: strategy.

Strategy would properly be considered a component of the mind portion of the body weapon I think. Without it almost that weapon cannot be used efficiently. Still not clear on why you brought it up though.

At this late date, neither am I.
Perhaps the fact that Shnooks and I had just watched "Once Upon A Time in China, II" had a part in it.
You had, if I remember correctly, suggested that in the face of disarmament and governmental tyranny a civilian population might develop techniques using available implements or even the empy hand in order to combat the more sophisticatedly equipped occupying force.

I was just, I think, attempting to point out that the cultures that have developed martial arts among the dispossessed have usually had more success with firearms than the physical arts.

Japan, China, Vietnam, Korea, and the Phillipines all have had some remarkable martial artists in their populations, but apparently they have little sway with the war of attrition and pray and spray crowd.

On the other hand, as mentioned before, a true martial artist believes that any battle avoided is one that can be counted as having been won.

Interesting to review my own pages when it's slow.
Once again, I have found posts I missed before

The range knowledge here (h2g2)astounds me at times.
I do enjoy these topics I've not ventured into!

I must be either incredibly lucky, or stupidly naîve. I've travelled halfway around the world (often alone) & am not exactly the world's fittest person. Although I have experienced violence many times in my past, it has always been from someone I knew well (parent, partner etc) I have never had any hint of trouble from strangers.

Maybe I just have a good radar system? On the rare occasions I have felt uneasy, I just "went with my feelings" & backed off, by whatever means seemed easiest. For instance, I regularly use a short cut to my house, which is the archetypal "dark alleyway in the middle of nowhere". I have only once felt slightly worried, I turned around & went the long way as I approached the alley.

Strangely enough, when I was returning home from M's the next night, he said "NO! Don't go, if you have to, don't go that way." So maybe he picked up on something too? (Not enough to walk me home though, with most of my partners, if things go bump in the night, it is usually me who goes to investigate!)

I am lucky to live in a relatively safe place I feel. I went away for a fortnight & left my windows open so Yoda could come & go. Mugging is virtually unheard of here, though "crimes of passion" happen quite often, also petty theft, but violence is rare.

I am pretty alert to danger, have been in lots of life-threatening situations, but to feel I had to assume that unknown attackers could be waiting for me just about anywhere would drive me mad! I am paranoid about enough aspects of life as it is.

Hey, one thing that I have always thought is that deserted places (ie country lanes etc. in the middle of nowhere) are highly unlikely to be targeted by the average rapist/mugger. Statistically, he would probably die of pneumonia first whilst waiting for a victim.

--having said all this, no doubt I will be discovered hacked into small pieces next week. Oh well. They will have a fight on their hands if so. Ask the guy at the party many years back about his ear....don't think he will try that one again in a hurry.....

Terri.

(& Yoda the Killer Kung Fu Kat)

ps: i have always thought a nice, tame would be a useful pet. Any trouble, the command "Boris: SUCK!!!" should give the buggers something to worry about.

Awareness is important.
Some people constantly scan their surroundings.
It can be a hyper-awareness.

I have had men notice it, I always want a view of the door! I always know where the exits are when I am somewhere. I think some of that is I had many friends when I was young whose Dads were firemen whom trained their kids well!

It may be from my mothers training.
She could switch moods and attack in an instant
Sort of like Kato in the Peter Sellers Pink Panther movies
I had forgotten about those!
*note to self- rent Return of the Pink Panther*

One of my friends on the other hand is totally unaware of her surroundings or thinking of her safety even after a violent happening.

I take take precautions like you mentioned to be safe and avoid worry.