Somewhere Ayoob has written a pretty good article/chapter on it...
Not exactly the same as civilian effects... but:
http://www.killology.com/print/print_psychological.htm
This...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuart
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Somewhere Ayoob has written a pretty good article/chapter on it...
Not exactly the same as civilian effects... but:
http://www.killology.com/print/print_psychological.htm
This...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuart
Hmm.. I do understand what you are trying to say. Even if I did kill someone, I can't think of myself second guessing that decision. Obvisouly if I did kill, the kill was warrented or I wouldn't have done it. I try not to put myself in situations where I would second guessing would creep up.... I don't think I would feel bad or emotioanlly traumatized, etc about an idiot asking to lose their life. It's like that saying of "It's either you or me and it sure as hell ain't going to be me." I guess I'm just saying bottom line, I wouldn't have a problem killing someone if it was warranted.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuart
There's a lot more I want to say, but it'll sound all keyboard commando-ish again and I'm sure the combat folks will jump in here shortly and reprimand me adequately and et al, etc, ad nausem.
Although, on second thought... I always second guess myself for buying that dang car I have. But at the time, it was cheap and I needed one so I still stand by buying it! HAHA
[Beer]
I'll give it a read and report back.Quote:
Originally Posted by funkfool
Long and technical, but interesting read...
"One major modern revelation in the field of military psychology is the observation that this resistance to killing one's own species is also a key factor in human combat. ...when left to their own devices, the great majority of individual combatants throughout history appear to have been unable or unwilling to kill."
That blew my mind... I didn't think that would be a problem, especially the way I think about things such as it's either him or me.
Then I saw:
"The exception to this resistance can be observed in sociopaths who, by definition, feel no empathy or remorse for their fellow human beings. Pit bull dogs have been selectively bred in order to ensure that they will perform the unnatural act of killing another dog in battle. Similarly, human sociopaths...since they were not disturbed by the requirement to kill."
Which kind of gets me to thinking... am I labled as a sociopath since I percieve I would have no problem shooting/killing someone if the terms warranted such as I believe there are some in the human species who should not be drawing breath? (Or just a young punk kid with no idea what he's talking about being all desktop commando-ish.)
The little tidbit about Vietnam was interesting and to me seems to bear some truth since one of my fathers friends was in 'Nam (tunnel rat, amazing stories) and ended up committing suicide several years ago.
I did like how it ended:
"It is often said that "All's fair in love and war," and this expression provides a valuable insight into the human psyche, since these twin, taboo fields of sexuality and aggression represent the two realms in which most individuals will consistently deceive both themselves and others. Our psychological and societal inability to confront the truth about the effects of combat is the foundation for the cultural conspiracy of repression, a deception and denial that has helped to perpetuate and propagate war throughout recorded history."
You are confusing your ability to pull the trigger to save your life, and how you will feel about it later.
EDITED: Bear, I think you are taking this too far in one direction. Many actions we take in life cause permanent changes in ourselves. You seem to equate that to mean that you can't live with a decision you've made. It is not always that serious. If you think about something often, it has had an effect on you. It could be for better or worse. It doesn't necessarily have to make or break your entire life. People who go through boot camp are probably changed forever, but it's not like they are completely different people or unable to function or something.
Just that you are even wondering if you are a sociopath, probably means you're not one by the way. :)
no, but you may qualify if you are forced to shoot someone (or otherwise take a life, even by accident), and then feel no remorse.. it's one thing to think you can do something without emotion, it's quite another to go through it and still feel no emotion.Quote:
Originally Posted by BigBear
No, I have never killed anyone, so this isn't from experience- I just believe that no matter how much you prepare for it, if the time comes, you'll second guess if you could have done something different.
Interesting perspectives guys. Thanks...
Back to THE (<--- correct spelling for Graves! HAHA) real life stories.
If I was driving down the street and a kid ran out in front of my car I'd be devastated.
If a robber pulled a weapon and told me he was going to kill me, I would shoot him DRT then have a good nights sleep.
I guess I'm half a sociopath. Sociopath lite.
Ness: I had to kill him.
Malone: Oh, yeah. He's as dead as Julius Caesar.
Malone: Would you rather it was you?
Ness: No, I would not.
Malone: Well, then, you've done your duty. Go home and sleep well tonight.
I was on my way home from work. The road I drive narrows from two lanes to a single lane in S/E Aurora.
While its two lanes I'm a bit in front of a motorcyclist in the other lane.
When the lanes merge, he speeds up and gets in front of me. He proceeds to drop about 5 mph below the posted speed limit. For a bit he keeps looking over shoulder at me making some hand gestures. He figures I'm following too close or so I gather.
Now I'm a long time motorcyclist myself. Having been riding for over 25 years and still ride to this day. I'm ALWAYS cognizant of motorcyclists.
We approach a stoplight with a group of vehicles and stop for the light. He puts the sidestand down, gets off his bike and starts walking towards my car, yelling and making all kinds of hand gestures.
I'm taken completely off-guard by his actions. I put my hand on my G27 and just barely roll down the window.
Now alot is going through my mind in micro-seconds. I look in my mirrors to see if there is a way out. Nope. Car and another bike to my left, curb/sidwalk trees to my right, car behind me. I'm not getting out of my car as I don't want to escalate the situation.
He reaches the hood of my car and is yelling at me and talking to the motorcyclist to my left (who just happens to be there). While I couldn't hear what was being said between the two, he flips me off and walks back to his bike.
Light changes and he takes off and I make my planned turn...
What I wonder to this day is; Depending on the scenario what action would he have to have done for me to actually shoot him?
IMO, if he pulled a gun, then I believe I would be within my right to shoot him.
If he walked over to the window, punched it out and tried to pummel me would that have been okay to shoot him OR step on the gas and nail his bike and put space between us?
Fortunately I didn't have to play out any of those scenarios but it was probably the closest I'd come...