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Ask HN: When was the last time you were involved in a physical altercation?

5 points by GDC7 5y ago

PaulHoule 5y ago
Somebody threatened me with a knife about 20 years ago.
mmaunder 5y ago
Conflict is not what you see on TV. Both physical and legal conflict come with tremendous long term cost and risks. Physical conflict is incredibly dangerous. You can accidentally kill someone or injure them for life in a street fight, thereby ruining your own life. Even if you “win” there’s something awful that stays with you and drags you down for a long time. Being in a job that requires conflict- police officer, soldier, etc - has what I think is a hidden cost that we don’t truly appreciate. Legal conflict is similar and can take years. If comes with a huge long term psychological cost that sucks away all your emotional energy - the energy that fuels your creativity. Often in conflict there is no clear winner, making many outcomes unsatisfying and unresolved. Unless you’ve dealt with conflict in its various forms, you truly have no idea of the costs and risks. It has been glamorized by film and television, and most people are quick to threaten to sue someone or to “kick their ass”, but they have no clue what they’re getting into. Work to avoid conflict, even if it comes with some costs, until you positively absolutely have no choice but to engage.
- jimmyvalmer 5y ago
  What's with the sermonizing? OP gave no indication he was contemplating a donnybrook. Possibly the greatest clip related to "When was the last time you got your ** kicked?" https://youtu.be/AfMbN_MzCpw https://youtu.be/AfMbN_MzCpw
- PaulHoule 5y ago
  Hand to hand conflict is rarely ‘incredibly’ dangerous but if a knife or gun is involved the stakes are much higher. I know someone who felt uncomfortable because a stranger was threatening another person at a restaurant, spoke up, and got stabbed and hospitalized.
corobo 5y ago
About a decade ago my alcoholic Dad was being an alcoholic. It escalated. He threatened me with a weapon. I headbutted his two front teeth out. I was aiming for the nose but he dodged back a little, I do regret the teeth. Very effective way to end a fight to be honest. It's a bit of a shocking thing to see blood wise and puts the person immediately on their arse so you can get out of there. Nobody got hurt any further. He died a couple of years ago after his liver switched off, never did try getting off the booze. As he would say; such is life
- Hzvxgs 5y ago
  Good job. Alcoholic Dads, in my book, all need a good ass kicking.
giantg2 5y ago
Not since I was a kid.
AnimalMuppet 5y ago
High school.
the_only_law 5y ago
Middle school, excluding fights with siblings.
giardini 5y ago
Why do you ask?
mod 5y ago
I was attacked by a drunk friend in 2020. No serious damage for anyone.
anonyfelon 5y ago
~25 years ago. It's not fun, not good. I do not recommend it, if you can avoid it. The damage can be lasting. See my comment here to give some context. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=25610810 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=25610810

5 points by GDC7 5y ago

Somebody threatened me with a knife about 20 years ago.

Conflict is not what you see on TV. Both physical and legal conflict come with tremendous long term cost and risks. Physical conflict is incredibly dangerous. You can accidentally kill someone or injure them for life in a street fight, thereby ruining your own life. Even if you “win” there’s something awful that stays with you and drags you down for a long time. Being in a job that requires conflict- police officer, soldier, etc - has what I think is a hidden cost that we don’t truly appreciate. Legal conflict is similar and can take years. If comes with a huge long term psychological cost that sucks away all your emotional energy - the energy that fuels your creativity. Often in conflict there is no clear winner, making many outcomes unsatisfying and unresolved. Unless you’ve dealt with conflict in its various forms, you truly have no idea of the costs and risks. It has been glamorized by film and television, and most people are quick to threaten to sue someone or to “kick their ass”, but they have no clue what they’re getting into. Work to avoid conflict, even if it comes with some costs, until you positively absolutely have no choice but to engage.

jimmyvalmer 5y ago
What's with the sermonizing? OP gave no indication he was contemplating a donnybrook. Possibly the greatest clip related to "When was the last time you got your ** kicked?" https://youtu.be/AfMbN_MzCpw https://youtu.be/AfMbN_MzCpw
PaulHoule 5y ago
Hand to hand conflict is rarely ‘incredibly’ dangerous but if a knife or gun is involved the stakes are much higher. I know someone who felt uncomfortable because a stranger was threatening another person at a restaurant, spoke up, and got stabbed and hospitalized.

corobo 5y ago

About a decade ago my alcoholic Dad was being an alcoholic. It escalated. He threatened me with a weapon. I headbutted his two front teeth out. I was aiming for the nose but he dodged back a little, I do regret the teeth. Very effective way to end a fight to be honest. It's a bit of a shocking thing to see blood wise and puts the person immediately on their arse so you can get out of there. Nobody got hurt any further. He died a couple of years ago after his liver switched off, never did try getting off the booze. As he would say; such is life

Hzvxgs 5y ago
Good job. Alcoholic Dads, in my book, all need a good ass kicking.

giantg2 5y ago

Not since I was a kid.

AnimalMuppet 5y ago

High school.

the_only_law 5y ago

Middle school, excluding fights with siblings.

giardini 5y ago

Why do you ask?

mod 5y ago

I was attacked by a drunk friend in 2020. No serious damage for anyone.

anonyfelon 5y ago

~25 years ago. It's not fun, not good. I do not recommend it, if you can avoid it. The damage can be lasting. See my comment here to give some context. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=25610810 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=25610810