Why We Enjoy Fighting

[JAzze]

You might be interested in this blog article titled, "On Enjoying a Fight - a Genetic Speculation" by Eric S. Raymond.

Armed and Dangerous Blog Archive On Enjoying a Fight - a Genetic Speculation

There are some good items in the comments as well.

Osu!

[Dent]

Osu!

Hmmmmm.........

In my experience, there is all the difference in the world between sparring and fighting, and between a competitive victory and getting home in one piece.

Drawing conclusions from controlled sparring is fine, but extrapolating that result to life and death... Well, I think it's a little iffy.

Osu!

[Paedde]

Can't agree with everything, but was a nice read and made me think a bit about the subject. Thanks.

Osu

[tmd]

Not sure what to make of this except to say it asks some interesting questions, not sure it answers that many, it seems to take an answer and try to make the quesiotn fit.

My biggest issue is these two paragraphs seem to clash for me:

1) My glandular response to intimidation is not to be afraid but to get angry. And it is reported by several friends that I’m pretty scary when I get angry, though I’ve never actually gone off on anyone as an adult.

2) I don’t experience physical fear very strongly even in many situations where rationally speaking I probably should. In particular, I have little or no fear of hand-to-hand combat.

This person gets angry when intimidated but has never 'gone off' on any body as an adult and yet has experienced hand to hand combat? Am I missing something?

[Dent]

Osu!

Originally Posted by tmd

This person gets angry when intimidated but has never 'gone off' on any body as an adult and yet has experienced hand to hand combat? Am I missing something?

No, TMD, I think you've narrowed it down quite nicely. How close to a real situation can it get when rules, referees and the like are involved. Much of this sounds related to the author's practice of Fencing, and Fencing can be somewhat physical, with bruises here and there. (Mostly Sabre.) But... There is protection, and I don't know of any bones broken in Fencing...

Osu!

[shinobijesus]

kind of pointless. not trying to be harsh, just, OF COURSE everything is dependant upon genetics. including why some people like to fight. just look at enrollment rates of martial arts.... think about how many friends, family, and just plain acquaintances you know of that dont train martial arts. so why does anyone train? probably some hardwired need to train.

im descended from the Russian hordes so i always kinda figured thats why i enjoy combat.

while i found the entire article verbose, i have to admit he did hit on more than a couple points that describe me. wether that lends credence to the DNA theory or simply to psychological profile is up to interpretation though. *shrug*