On This Modern Warrior Archetype Part Seven.11

11. Violence is a simplistic tool as a means to a desired end, but often has more repercussions than is worth the gain. Power may be used like a bludgeon, or subtly. In a technological society, the hard application of force will be viewed graphically and exploited by unsympathetic parties to Maximum Advantage in all Things. Bluntness is dullness. Direct power is far more likely to breed resentment and create enemies. Only when direct action is used sparingly, fear is a weapon far more effective in terms of economy. Overstretch is avoided by a policy of simple maintenance. Only an idiot believes anything is possible.

On This Modern Warrior Archetype Part Seven.10

10. From time to time, one may discover the need to step forward toward conflict. Motivation may vary from the concrete or abstract; but regardless, it must be strong. Fighting, as opposed to simple brawling, is not worth pursuing unless the price is worth the cost. For some, conflict is an excuse for unleashing one’s drives to the fullest extent allowed. Unrestrained, these impulses degenerate toward basic animal instinct and actuates accordingly. The resultant unrestrained depravity befittingly leads the herd towards actively suppressing aggressive traits required for the an effective warrior class.[13] In those societies and cultures where the warrior is accepted, one will see codes and oaths against victimizing the unoffending. In a decadent society, where no such outlet exists, one may find the need to emulate past efforts. As a concession, at least This Modern Warrior Archetype is free.

[13] At best, equilibrium may be allowed to exist only under extremely controlled settings. The warrior must be able to switch off aggressive inclinations. One way or another, those failing to do so are suppressed.

On This Modern Warrior Archetype Part Seven.9

9. Reality has both tangible and non-objective components to its experience. A solid wall is always solid; but not always an obstacle. Limits exist. Ambition may only carry one so far. Someone else almost always pays to cleanup up the wreckage. The dead are beyond caring. Those traveling on a higher plane do so with one foot in the grave. Like a lode stone, opponents will gather to fill. Too often, the dirt is kicked back. How easy would it be to just step away?

On This Modern Warrior Archetype Part Seven.8

8. Thought is not innate. Instinct is not always dominant. Terms are not always even. Definitions are not always precise. Translations are not absolute. Reductive reasoning flows toward smallest causes even as it complicates the interpretation. For most purposes, the world is fairly simple. The difficulty is ascertaining constituents. Subtleties can imply totally different matters. One must be capable of identifying context to avoid being used (and abused). An important means is identifying appeal: what pushes your buttons?

On This Modern Warrior Archetype Part Seven.7

7. Like falling leaves, all life has a tendency to spiral downward as it dies. Humans are basically unique in their drive toward accelerating the effect of their deaths. Perhaps sentience is doomed in this regard. Awareness of death is a shackle. One need not roll the attached boulder off a cliff. Indeed, it may be an anchor. One need not follow the lemmings.

On This Modern Warrior Archetype Part Seven.6

6. In stressful situations, motivation is maintained when something viewed as worth the strain is either sought or defended. As a consequence, the less worthwhile causes will suffer from exhaustion sooner than those things which under duress matter better. The deepest roots are most firmly entrenched–with the exception of a decadents society. When safety valves become systems unto themselves, nothing boils while everything almost (but not quite) simmers. Even as it drags on, it still blisters. Unchallenged, things are limited to falling apart on their own. Although its collapse is final, at least one aware may gauge the direction of the fall.

On This Modern Warrior Archetype Part Seven.5

5. Mental preparation is as necessary for conflict (or competition) as physical conditioning. One must learn not to freeze. In stressful situation, others naturally look toward someone that offers the appearance of calm and composure. This Modern Warrior Archetype must carry it a step farther by offering something substantial. The alternative is allowing viscous opportunists their opening. Even the non-decadent may be brought crashing down by the hollow fanaticism espoused by zealots. One must rise above and light the path forward. The alternative is many steps backward.

On This Modern Warrior Archetype Part Seven.4

4. Aggression has its time and place. Unleashed and unrestrained, power begins to consume itself. If arrested promptly, in a mass media society, prestige gained will compensate for the effort. One wants to revel; one realizes the consequences. Self control is something usually obtained through experience and formal training. A few possess the instinct. One way or another, deceleration expends energy. For some, the toll is less.

On This Modern Warrior Archetype Part Seven.3

3. Showing fear is frowned upon by most non-decadent cultures. Paranoid display is not welcome in matters relating to life and death. The calm are universally respected. Even so, nervousness does have its place. It does not behoove one to get overly comfortable in potentially hostile situations. Mostly, when immediate action or decision is required, the better tact is to show no uncertainty or jitteriness. By admitting fear in oneself, one is given sight, and hence greatly increases the odds of coolness under pressure. If you know something is coming, one can brace against its impact or go limp as appropriate. Only experience will allow one to know for sure.

On This Modern Warrior Archetype Part Seven.2

2. Fear is a force to be mastered. If one can admit (if only to one’s self) those traits and experiences wherein vulnerability lies, one can master the expected response. In so recognizing this insight, the ability can be transferred outward. In so exercising, one realizes that many motivations are really quite simple. One eats because one is hungry. Anything deeper is irrelevant in the moment. Reflections are vital, but one must survive to get the chance.

On This Modern Warrior Archetype Part Seven.1

Part Seven.

On Dostoyevskian Psychology–

1. Dostoyevskian psychology is pure art, intuition and instinct. Science provides a useful check in its retrospective, but usually is not something that need be appealed in the moment. Understanding what goes on inside the heads of others can be crucial in a number of situations. Such skills are a useful way towards aggressive means, or avoidance. The potential for enmity can be negated by just the right amount of fear–too little emboldens; too much leads to a knife in the back. Outnumbered, This Modern Warrior Archetype does not necessitate enemies.

On This Modern Warrior Archetype Part Six.13.0

13. In conflicts, where escalation is undesirable, This Modern Warrior Archetype will need to fight primarily through non-physical means. Baring living in a fortress, the Technical Morality cannot be avoided. One can always be trampled by the many. Deterrence may be employed by the numerically disadvantaged. Psychology is a suitable tool for the ends of survival. However, one must take care to avoid the foolishness often associated with its popular manifestations. Indeed, an earlier approach is much more useful. One must develop the ability to look within. Modern academic psychology is generally too analytical for such used. Observations must come from the real environment, and be based within its context. The collected works of Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky are an excellent resource for developing these skills.

End of Part Six.

On This Modern Warrior Archetype Part Six.12.0

12. A technological society will inevitably adopt at least some machine values. The degree is directly proportional to the decadence and nihilism contained within the affected societies. A healthy society can not be encroached so easily by the cold dictates of the drive towards efficiency. The machine prospers, hence it must be a model for those with nothing else better. The result is decay within a shiny chrome finish.

Yahia Lababidi

Yahia Lababidi's Aphorisms.

Yahia Lababidi is one of a very few contemporary writers to have their work included in an Encyclopedia of the World's Great Aphorists by James Geary, due November 2007.

Samples

"Liar: one who claims to tell the truth, always."

"Time forbids attachments. Clinging to a particular time is courting madness."

"Looking death in the eye is like staring into the sun; for a while, you see its impression everywhere, stare too long and you see nothing else."

Read the rest Here.

I'll be sure to read his book.

On This Modern Warrior Archetype Part Six.11.7

11g. Who benefits by being ground down? This great error is the belief that everything must end in the dust. Why go to such extremes? This greater error is explained by a perverse desire to project upon the world one’s cravings. The bright flame burns quickest. Historical inevitability has a tendency to turn out not to be so inevitable.