Came across a new page from Marc MacYoung and thought I'd share it. It's stuff that's especially hard for Reddit's primary demographic (young and male), as it really requires forgoing any ego. Of course it is still difficult for most of us, whether we fit that demographic or not...

Actually, serious question, is there any way to exercise/practice getting over ones ego in terms of practicing for self defense? It probably would be difficult for a gym to practice insults and having to meekly acquiesce then walk away without someone getting very butthurt...

Anyways, brief excerpt:

An overwhelming majority of violence comes with instructions on how to avoid it.

This isn't in some kind of obscure coded lingo. The directions are pretty straightforward and understandable. This applies to both social and asocial violence.(2)

A resource predator (mugger) who sticks a gun in your face and says, "Gimme your wallet, or I'll blow your head off" is telling you how to keep from getting shot. Give him your wallet. Not too hard to figure out.(3)

Someone who says, "Shut up or I'll kick your ass'" is giving you instructions on how NOT to be assaulted.

He is not, I repeat NOT, asking you to comment about his testicles on his mother's chin. Nor is someone who tells you, "You better leave" interested in hearing a dissertation on your right to be there or you questioning him about who he thinks he is to tell you to leave -- or, of course, his sexual practices with his mother. While we're at it, the mugger with the gun isn't interested in your sharing your opinions with him, either.

(Keep this in mind. There will be a test later. A test, if you fail, will mean you're going to end up bleeding.)

Take a good hard look at your reactions. Nothing I mentioned above is within the conditions set to avoid violence. Come to think of it, they're deliberate violations of those standards -- as well as being emotional, hostile and insulting. And these to a person who just told you what will happen if you don't change

Whole page here, well worth a read: http://nononsenseselfdefense.com/preattack.html