True, much as "Mutually Assured Destruction" was supposed to prevent the use of nuclear weapons by the major nuclear powers.
It has been true in my own life. After a particularly heinous series of crimes took place where I grew up, my mom signed me up for a self-defense course at Cal State L.A., and I believe that it was largely because of my willingness to use what I had learned, combined with the increase in my self-confidence after taking the course, that led to my never having to put what I learned into practice.
Indeed, there's something to say about having confidence (not overconfidence/arrogance), and that preventing being preyed upon. Predators prefer going after weaker prey, even in the wild.
Absolutely.
I was a marine biology major and spent years studying sharks, and one of the things that came through loud and clear in studying unprovoked attacks on humans is that, the minute you spot a shark, and it knows it has been spotted, your chances of attack have just plummeted.
They, like most predators, prefer surprise attacks, in their case usually from below and behind, because they want an easy kill.
Just by paying attention, in any number of possible scenarios, it can not only save your own life, but potentially someone else's as well.
Fascinating! This definitely brings a whole new meaning to the importance of being self-aware, and thus aware of the world around us.
Indeed it does, but then, that was the first thing I was ever taught about self-defense when I was a kid growing up.
Always be aware of your surroundings. Always leave yourself an out. Don't walk too close to buildings, etc.