#3481
Mentioned in 8 episodes

On Killing

The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society
Book • 1995
In 'On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society,' Lt. Col. Dave Grossman explores the psychology of the act of killing and its implications on soldiers and society.

The book is based on S.L. A.

Marshall's studies from World War II, which revealed that most soldiers do not fire their weapons due to an innate resistance to killing.

Grossman details how military training has evolved to overcome this resistance, resulting in significantly higher firing rates in subsequent wars.

He also discusses the psychological costs of killing, including post-traumatic stress, and raises questions about the impact of escalating violence in society.

The book has been widely acclaimed and is on the U.S.

Marine Corps' Commandant’s Required Reading List and required reading at the FBI Academy.

Mentioned by

Mentioned in 8 episodes

Mentioned by
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Dan Carlin
when discussing the high rates of psychiatric casualties during World War II.
285 snips
Show 66 - Supernova in the East V
Mentioned by
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Jay Cal
in reference to the influence of proximity on the act of killing.
59 snips
#214 Jay Cal - SAS Operator Charged with Murder
Mentioned by David Grossman, highlighting that man is not by nature a killer.
11 snips
The Psychology of War – Are We Doomed to Destroy Ourselves?
Recommended by
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Dan Bongino
as a life-changing book about killing, war, and the roles of sheep, sheepdogs, and wolves.
A Massive Shake Up On The Trump Transition (Ep. 2376)
Referenced by
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Chris Smith
, using Grossman's anecdote about wolves, sheep, and sheepdogs to illustrate the importance of restraint and ethics.
Warrior Culture – MAJGEN Chris Smith
Mentioned by Fr. Gregory Pine, who inherited it with an Amazon library on a Kindle.
Can Christians KILL?
Mentioned by
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Dave Asprey
in the context of discussing the neurological responses of first responders.
Control Stress and Regulate Your Nervous System in 5 Steps – Lisa Wimberger with Dave Asprey : 771
Mentioned by
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Kyle Thompson
as the author of "On Combat" and "On Killing".
JARED HUDSON | Fighting Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation (Ep. 681)
Recommended as a book about the Pavlovian training of soldiers to ensure they can shoot at human beings.
#315 - Rogue Foreign Minister on China’s Takeover, 5th Gen WW3 & "Titanic" Diplomacy | Eric Czuleger
Mentioned by
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Matt Chandler
, who also mentions 'On Combat'.
Warrior Wounds and Gospel Hope
Mentioned by
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Geoff Hopf
as a book about the psychology of killing.
GEOFF HOPF | Hard Times Create Strong Men
Mentioned by
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Dax Shepard
and
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Robert Sapolsky
in relation to PTSD and the justification of killing.
Robert Sapolsky (on human behavior and free will)
Mentioned by
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Bailey Williams
as a book she borrowed from a colleague's barracks room.
A Marine's Portrait Of Her Body At Extremes
Mentioned by
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Dax Shepard
when discussing the fetishizing of violence due to a lack of real-world exposure to death.
David Harbour

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