In this discussion, Sam Harris sits down with Matt Thornton, a fifth-degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and founder of Straight Blast Gym. They delve into Thornton's new book, exploring the nuances of violence and self-defense. The conversation highlights the evolution of mixed martial arts and the crucial distinction between 'street' versus 'sport' fighting. Thornton examines the psychological aspects of male violence and offers insights into the importance of emotional maturity and practical training. They also reflect on the realities women face concerning violence and the role of combat sports in personal growth.
Combat sports offer a functional and effective approach to self-defense, focusing on realistic training and practical skills.
Fake martial arts prey on the demand for a magical approach to self-defense, offering unrealistic and ineffective techniques.
Men and women face different risks in terms of violence, with men often engaging in immature conflicts and women facing higher risks from intimate partners.
Deep dives
The importance of combat sports in self-defense training
Combat sports, such as boxing, Muay Thai, wrestling, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and judo, offer a functional and effective approach to self-defense. These sports allow practitioners to train in a fully alive and realistic manner, enabling them to develop practical skills for various ranges of combat, including stand-up, clinching, and ground fighting. Unlike traditional or fantasy-based martial arts, combat sports emphasize aliveness, which incorporates timing, energy, and motion in training. This approach enables practitioners to learn and implement techniques and strategies that have been tested and proven to work in real-world scenarios. By training in combat sports, individuals gain the ability to control and dominate altercations, ensuring their safety in a variety of situations.
The persistence of fake martial arts
Fake martial arts, also known as fantasy-based martial arts, continue to exist due to the demand for a magic bullet approach to self-defense. These martial arts often rely on appeal to authority through exaggerated claims and secret techniques. The delusion persists because some individuals are attracted to the idea of a martial art that can magically enable them to defeat opponents without in-depth training or effort. Some of these fake martial arts promote unrealistic and ineffective techniques, relying more on marketing tactics than practical training methodologies. This can be particularly detrimental when individuals seeking genuine self-defense capabilities, like those who have been bullied, fall prey to these misleading martial arts. In contrast, combat sports, with their emphasis on aliveness, provide a healthier and more practical approach to self-defense training.
The difference in violence dynamics between men and women
When considering violence dynamics, men and women face different risks and challenges. For men, a significant portion of interpersonal violence stems from immaturity and status-based disputes. Young men, often lacking father figures, engage in conflicts over trivial matters, contributing to a considerable number of violent incidents. In contrast, women face a higher risk of violence from their intimate partners, with dating being particularly dangerous. Domestic violence and relationship-related assaults pose a significant threat to women's safety. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for developing effective self-defense strategies tailored to each gender's unique risks and vulnerabilities.
The importance of maturity in keeping men safe
Maturity plays a vital role in keeping men safe and reducing their involvement in unnecessary physical conflicts. Many instances of violence among men occur due to issues related to maturity. Fatherless young men engaging in conflicts with their peers over status-based disputes is a prevalent cause of violence. This highlights the importance of fostering maturity and instilling values that promote conflict resolution and non-violence in young men. By addressing maturity issues and promoting emotional and personal growth, society can help create safer environments for men and reduce their likelihood of getting involved in violent altercations.
The dangers women face in dating and the need for self-defense
Dating poses significant risks for women as intimate partners are a major source of violence towards them. Studies show that a significant proportion of women who are killed are victims of domestic violence or relationship-related assaults. Recognizing the risks associated with dating and ensuring self-defense preparedness is crucial for women's safety. By advocating for awareness, education, and accessible self-defense training, society can empower women to protect themselves and potentially prevent acts of violence.
Sam Harris speaks with Matt Thornton about his new book, “The Gift of Violence: Practical Knowledge for Surviving and Thriving in a Dangerous World.” They discuss his background in martial arts, the reasons to train in combat sports, the UFC and the evolution of mixed martial arts, the fundamental principles of effective martial arts, the "street" vs "sport" fallacy, grappling vs striking, the persistence of fake martial arts, Bruce Lee’s legacy, male violence and emotional maturity, the male fear of humiliation, violence against women, the validity of instinct, the behavior of predators, weapons, avoiding violence, and other topics.
If the Making Sense podcast logo in your player is BLACK, you can SUBSCRIBE to gain access to all full-length episodes at samharris.org/subscribe.
Learning how to train your mind is the single greatest investment you can make in life. That’s why Sam Harris created the Waking Up app. From rational mindfulness practice to lessons on some of life’s most important topics, join Sam as he demystifies the practice of meditation and explores the theory behind it.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
