Thread:Demotivator/@comment-26484417-20171025101948/@comment-26484417-20171111080830

I wish we were glass cannons... we're more like glass butter knives (WHERE IS MY MAGIC?!). >_<

It's not just Aikido; Judo, BJJ, and various Japanese Jujitsu / Jujutsu styles (among others) are all just as viable in the modern times. But it's always important to think through some of the arguments when choosing which martial art to pursue / which one you should expect to utilise, for instance: Some people argue that fight in the real world is going to the ground sooner or later, and--when that happens--you want ground-fighting experience and techniques in your repertoire (BJJ has that, Greco-Roman Wrestling has that, etc.)... I say that going to the ground with one assailant either means that it's your domain (why not), or that things aren't going well, while going to the ground with multiple assailants is a suicide--unless you can ground all of them at once.

While the idea makes sense, you first have to demonstrate that you can "kick their ass", and the only way to do that is for them to either know you beforehand, or for you to demonstrate on the spot. People whom you can identify aren't likely to assault you, while demonstration on the spot runs a risk of crashing into the politically correct wall once again.

There are some things that you mainly develop in full-contact (or not) striking martial arts, though:  Reflexes: No matter how great your technique may be, if you don't have good reflexes, your real-world survival is seriously hindered. Intent / fighting spirit projection: Whether you call it "a projection of spirit" or just "a mean stare", trust me, intent from a seasoned Kendo-ka or Karate-ka (among others) is nothing to scoff at... It makes one shrink back, freeze up, and / or at least hesitate. Endurance: If you practice something as full contact as Muay Thai or Kyokushinkai Karate, you're going to develop noteworthy endurance sooner or later. Nothing is as likely to change your attacker's mind than you withstanding their (ambush) attack without flinching. Any martial art is going to hone your spirit projection (mean stare) and reflexes over time (some sooner than others)--with possible exception of meditative martial arts like Tai Chi--, but the only way to train endurance is by taking hits... lots of them... and for that you need striking martial arts that include sparring. Preferably something with full-body coverage, but one usually has to focus on the upper-body, and basically all full-contact martial arts and sports cover that area.