One of my 'pet' concerns (sociologically) is the seeming trend towards densensitzation to an increasingly higher general level of violence. For example in the cinema, what was extreme 20 years ago is now commonplace. The young and inexperienced often form a great deal of their “reality” on the basis of the big screen (or streaming video on their small screens).

Statistics, should one choose to believe them point in general terms to a parallel “rise” in socio and pyscho pathic behaviour. Now, granted there may be a host of other influences contributing to this, but (I believe) a correlation exists.

In terms of an ascendence of consciousness, does an individual not have to become aware of a new paradigm before being able to understand and adopt it? Often difficult to do whilst being bombarded with images, and peer approved negative models. And IMHO, the majority of that bombardment is created for commercial reasons.

This is really the responsibility of parents and caretakers.

Violence in sport and recreation is a part of the human condition. History has shown us that it has always been around in some form or another.

I feel that the radicals and activists that target “things” are just looking for a scapegoat (consciously or not) and are just side stepping the real issue which is human consciousness, a far more difficult concept to approach because it requires working on one's self instead of others.

It's much easier to point fingers.

I think self defense training would have been helpful for the girls…but definitely for the guards!! If they were skillful in non-destructive control and combat tactics that would have had the confidence and skill to to prevent at least the tail end of that beating.

A couple of things here. You do make a good point about people being indoctrinated to not respond and truthfully most people might not do too much good in many situations but of course in this one – all it would have taken was for the larger people to start yelling and pulling the kids away from the girl. A little risk but it would have been the right thing to do.

True it is a personal decision but without taking about how (closed vs open fist), people in all walks of life should intervene to the extent they feel comfortable with – even if it is yelling and getting other people involved.

I am conflicted but assuming my family is not at risk and the person seems to be worth saving – then yes I would always get involved as I would hope others might come to the aid of my family members.

Now my prejudice – after owning a karate school near an outlaw biker bar for years – I don't like bikers much. I used to have to fight them every month – the result was always the same but it was annoying. To this day I figure if they are fighting their own – I don't care much…

Karate is excellent for self defense assuming you do want to intervene. I did a post that had three stories… the first of which was a girl that was accosted in a transit station and restaurant here: http://myselfdefenseblog.com/http:/myselfdefens... you might be interested… she was able to get away but that is not the norm when a bunch of thugs attack a girl (sadly).

Mr. Khuong, what role would you feel that commercialized violence such as “wrestling” and “video games” play in this desensitization?

Second, this concept of not taking things into our own hands, and letting “the authorities” handle it is total BS and ranks right up there with gun control and State worship. Our first responsibility, as citizens and humans, is to ourselves and those around us, not blind obedience to the State. Agreed, this may bring trouble, but some principles are worth the risks.

I do hate to get political, but I'm afraid that is the essence of this issue. We have a responsibility to protect the weak, and to prevent war. We also have the right to self defense, and to not be subjugated; and we should insist on maintaining those rights.

Self defense is an absolutely essential skill but that's no necessarily the issue here as the same result could have occurred if the two were trained fighters. There will always be a disparity among people with regards to skill, aggression, strength, etc.

Fighting is natural and this example illustrates a natural occurrence in human behavior, especially among young people. There are, however, two points that show a natural behavior with horribly unnatural mutations.

The first is the offending girl continuing her attack with potentially deadly force after the the downed girl is obviously helpless and defeated.

The second and more talked about point is the complete lack of intervention from onlookers and, especially, the security guards after the downed girl is repeatedly stomped on.

Both of these points illustrate a very sad state of affairs in human consciousness resulting in a severe disconnect from nature and truly sickening behavior.

Self defense is certainly an important element in the solution to this, but the real issue is removing institutionalized interference with natural laws. In other words, blanket social and political influences are making individuals dumb by replacing natural instincts with policies.

The real answer to this problem is in the promotion of people oriented practices, like Martial Arts, that increase consciousness and connection with self and others and thus a healthier community and social dynamic.