The Gift of Violence: Practical Knowledge for Surviving and Thriving in a Dangerous World

2min Snip

00:00

Play full episode

Summary

Transcript

Episode notes

Matt Thorton gives practical knowledge for surviving and thriving in a dangerous world. "Everybody should read this book," he says of his new book, Straightblastjim.org. Matt: I want to do this in Santa Barbara. There's a bunch of them in your area. Just let me know.

Shermer and Thornton discuss: aggression: passive, proactive, reactive, relational • moralistic punishment and the game theory analysis of the logic of violence • gun violence (homicide, suicide, accidents) • violence against women/children • male-on-male violence • alcohol, drugs, infidelity • race • self-control • training soldiers • male role models • Rodney King, Michael Brown, George Floyd • police violence • bullying • fatherless homes • rape and sexual violence • self-defense.

Matt Thornton has been teaching functional martial arts for more than thirty years and holds a 5th degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His organization, Straight Blast Gym, has more than seventy locations worldwide and has produced champion MMA fighters as well as world-class self-defense and law enforcement instructors. He lives with his wife Salome and their five children in Portland, Oregon. His new book is The Gift of Violence: Practical Knowledge for Surviving and Thriving in a Dangerous World.